Seven Pass Route

The Seven Pass Route is one of the classic Alaska backpacking routes in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It travels through dramatic and ever-changing country – from lush, verdant valleys, to glacial landscapes, to barren, rock-strewn mountain passes. The variety of terrain on the route is one of the big attractions. It begins in the world of glaciers and ends in a lush green valley. There are two glacier crossings on the route, neither of which should present any great difficulties if you are prepared with crampons, a dose of common sense and some experience and training in how to cross glaciers. Both glaciers are flat, valley glaciers so there is no steep ice. There is one stream crossing that may be challenging, depending on water levels. If you aren't very experienced at Alaskan wilderness travel then you would do well to consider a guided trek on this challenging route. Bears are frequently spotted especially in the Iceberg Lake valley and even an elusive wolverine can sometimes be seen. If you're looking for a truly great Alaska backpacking trip then you couldn't do much better than the Seven Pass Route.