On McCarthy Road (at milepost 29), on the left when traveling west.
From 1911-1938 the Copper River & Northwestern Railway was the lifeline for the Kennecott mines. Nicknamed the “Can't Run & Never Will” by its skeptics, the CR&NW overcame incredible challenges in its construction and operation.
Blasted and . . . — — Map (db m173891) HM
On McCarthy Road (at milepost 29), on the left when traveling west.
“In constructing high trestles and in laying steel track on beds of ice and snow, storms, high winds, and extreme cold tried the patience and fidelity of the strongest and most faithful.” — Cordova Daily Alaskan April 1, . . . — — Map (db m173892) HM
Widely used today on the Yukon and Copper Rivers, the fishwheel was introduced in Alaska near the turn of the 20th century. It is thought to have been prominent in the Pacific Northwest, particularly the Columbia River, prior to making its way to . . . — — Map (db m173903) HM
Near Wrangell St Elias Visitor Center, 0.3 miles east of Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4), on the right when traveling east.
Visible from here are two prominent mountains: Mount Drum and Mount Wrangell. Both are volcanoes, but their silhouettes suggest a difference in their eruption histories. The younger Mount Wrangell is a shield volcano, a broad-dome mountain built . . . — — Map (db m173912) HM
On Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4 at milepost 13.9).
The U.S. Army arrived at Valdez during the Gold Rush to build a trail into the interior. They found the Valdez Glacier impassable much of the year. To bypass the glacier, they cut a narrow trail along the walls of rugged Keystone Canyon. The . . . — — Map (db m49611) HM
On Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4 at milepost 15.3).
On the far side, just above the water are the remains of the old sled trail, used in the early days. It was cut out of the rock, just wide enough for 2 horses abreast. 200 ft. above can be seen the old goat trail. This road was used till 1945. — — Map (db m49610) HM
On Richardson Highway (Alaska Route 4 at milepost 15).
“The Iron Trail” by Rex Beach describes these events and this area.
This tunnel was hand cut into the solid rock of Keystone Canyon and is all that is left of the “railroad era” when nine companies fought to take advantage . . . — — Map (db m49609) HM
