Bonanza Mine Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The upper trail crosses steep, exposed slopes with loose rock and no guardrails. A slip in several sections could send you tumbling a very long way. Stay on the established path and watch your footing, especially on the descent when fatigue sets in.
Weather in the Wrangells can turn fast — clear skies at the trailhead can become whiteout fog and driving rain at the mine within an hour. Pack rain layers and be prepared to turn back if visibility drops, as route-finding above treeline becomes dangerous in poor conditions.
Bears are active in the alder zone on the lower trail. Make noise through the brush and carry bear spray accessible on your hip, not buried in your pack.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start early from Kennecott — the lower section through alder is shaded but the upper alpine stretches bake in afternoon sun, and you want to be descending before your legs turn to rubber in the heat.
Bring trekking poles for the descent. The upper trail is loose scree and talus, and tired legs on steep, rocky terrain is a recipe for a twisted ankle. Also carry more water than you think — there are no reliable water sources above the brush line.
Once you reach the mine ruins, walk past the bunkhouse to the ridge crest for an unobstructed panorama of the Kennicott Glacier flowing between the mountains. This is the shot that belongs on your wall, not the rusty building.
