How to Get to McCarthy / Kennicott: Driving the McCarthy Road

[@wayneskladal4959]

Grew up in AK. Made the trip to Chitna / McCarthy multiple times for the Copper R Salmon runs (dip netting). Carried out Kings & Silvers in backpacks! (My brother fell over and got pinned the by weight of his salmon pack.) In the 70s and 80s, the Kuskulana bridge had no guardrails - ouch! On one trip, our car broke down halfway between Chitna & McCarthy. Yeah, we survived with make-shift camping and much hiking. A beautifully wondrous place to be stranded. At times, a road went all the way into McCarthy. Other times, there was no road: you crossed the Kennecott R via cable car. July 4 celebrations were crazy. Hardy old-timers spun tales that made your blood run cold. Truly wild country. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers, roaring rivers, and abundant wildlife, even the air smelled WILD. In March of '83, a serial killer terrorized McCarthy. Six people killed. Roads snowed in and no phones. Sad. Exploring the Kennecott mine was magical - before it became a National Landmark. Still great, but a little touristy. Got to hand it to those early copper miners - they were freakin' tough. ** Thanks for bringing back Great memories. **

[@Harold710]

Accurate account. Been there a couple times before.

[@Clivetinker]

what's some of the old timer tales?

[@tomthatcher7757]

We have been to Kennicot and walked across the bridge. We drove from Fairbanks to the bridge and walked across and was picked up by a van that drove us to the Kennicot Lodge. We stayed at the lodge for 3 days. What an incredible experience. I highly recommend it.

[@Alaskaorg]

Thank you for sharing!

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

Just beautiful. What surprised me was the startling vibrant colors of the flowers.

[@petes9878]

Here is a perk not many will hear about: When you get to the Kuskulana Bridge, stop on the left (wide) shoulder and walk down the short trail/road (4x4 only) down to the foundation of the bridge, scramble up onto the concrete foundation and walk on the catwalk across the entire span. It has railings i.e. you won't fall off, but the catwalk itself is just a steel grate with view right down to the river below. It's a 'must do'.

[@exsleepyink]

I finished all the parks in the contiguous US and planned on hitting at least three AK spots (been jealous watching my seasonal friends work there though IG), but have been a bit sick and debilitated for the last few years to do it. Wrangell is highest on the list. Dang. This video is making me want to find a travel buddy and which companies allow gravel travel, to make it happen before the summer ends.

[@douglasmcfarland3185]

It’s actually called the Copper river, not the Chitna river. But this is an awesome video of my home state.

[@tacrewgirl]

I remember meeting the three of you on our rafting trip in 2017 while you were filming this video. Good times.

[@Alaskaorg]

Love that!! Thanks for saying hello!

[@shanechostetler9997]

My wife and I have two cabins up in McCarthy, her parents bought them in 1964!

[@thewanderingpinto5979]

This is defiantly on our list of places to visit when we make the trip to Alaska next year. We drove to Alaska 4 years ago. We drove to Deadhorse on the Dalton that trip, so the McCarthy road should be a breeze.

[@kyralichtenstein2971]

Thank for introducing it , we are in the middle of planning our Alaska trip and this is now a must for us.

[@Alaskaorg]

Our pleasure!

[@freewill1114]

I would love to journey there. The views are priceless.

[@Alaskaorg]

It's time to start planning!

[@stevefrandsen7897]

It is a fun drive and a real Alaskan adventure!

[@Alaskaorg]

We agree!

[@EvanWharton]

This was great! Thanks for sharing. We'll be sure to visit this summer now after watching this.

[@Alaskaorg]

So glad it was helpful to you!

[@texag8888]

This was such a helpful video for planning a trip to McCarthy!!

[@Alaskaorg]

So glad!

[@lukemccarthy580]

Last name is McCarthy and I’ve always wanted to visit here

[@LouisianaGatorGirl]

Hi. Are there any lodgings or places to eat in McCarthy?

[@petes9878]

I know this is a little late, but yes, there are several places to stay and eat, in McCarthy as well as in Kennecott. Try the Meatza Wagon in Kennecott ;- )

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Was the one lane wooden bridge originally used by trains to load copper out?

[@Alaskaorg]

Yes the McCarthy Road was constructed over the old railbed! Not uncommon to still find spikes.

[@Harold710]

@@AlaskaorgI still have a spike here in my kitchen in a mason jar.

[@shandamorton3964]

What month was visited here ? In this video

[@tyleryoung9773]

How well kept is the road now? Im visiting alaska in september and will be renting an RV; i was told by multiple people that the risk of flats is extremely high; but Mccarthy is on my bucket list and id really like to make the trek

[@Alaskaorg]

Many RV rental companies have a list of roads they will now allow you to drive, and the McCarthy Road is one of them. If you want to drive to McCarthy, make sure your rental allows it.

[@mistervacation23]

Imagine if it was dark out and you heard a chainsaw start up out there and to top it off your car was broke down.

[@Gun_Molester]

Neil totally Gayed up the saloon with that freak working there

[@phoneaccount3625]

"I was like man these guys really like Alaska" then I saw the username