Five-Mile Trail

Here's the thing about the Five-Mile Trail — it's not technically in Wrangell-St. Elias at all. This day hike sits near Chitina along the Edgerton Highway, outside park boundaries and without NPS maintenance. That said, you're still deep in Alaska's Copper River country, surrounded by the same wild, sprawling landscape that defines the largest national park in the system. Expect a rugged, unmaintained path where route-finding skills matter more than fitness. The trail passes through boreal forest and open terrain typical of the Chitina area, with views toward the Wrangell Mountains on clear days. Don't come expecting boardwalks or trail markers — this is Alaska at its most unpolished. Hikers who thrive on self-reliance and don't mind a trail that asks you to earn every mile will feel right at home.