Rambler Mine Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Grizzly bears are active throughout the Nabesna Road corridor from May through September. Make noise consistently, travel in groups when possible, and know how to deploy bear spray.
The trail is not regularly maintained and route-finding can be tricky above treeline. Carry a GPS device or downloaded topo maps — cell service is nonexistent in this part of the park.
Weather in the Wrangells shifts fast and without warning. Temperatures can drop sharply at elevation even in summer, and afternoon thunderstorms roll in quickly. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of the morning forecast.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
The trailhead sits along Nabesna Road, which is unpaved and can be rough — check current road conditions with the Slana Ranger Station before driving out, especially after rain when washouts are common.
Carry bear spray in hand, not buried in your pack. This corner of Wrangell-St. Elias sees very few hikers, which means wildlife encounters are more likely and the bears are less habituated to people.
The old mine site makes for a compelling photo subject — rusted equipment and collapsed timbers framed against the Wrangell Mountains create a striking contrast between human ambition and wilderness scale.
