The Wrangell Mountains are a high mountain range of eastern Alaska in the United States. Much of the range is included in Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve. The Wrangell Mountains are almost entirely volcanic in origin, and they include the second and third highest volcanoes in the United States, Mount Blackburn (16,390') and Mount Sanford (16,237'). The range takes its name from Mount Wrangell (14,163'), which is one of the largest andesite shield volcanoes in the world, and also the only presently active volcano in the range. The Wrangell Mountains comprise most of the Wrangell Volcanic Field, which also extends into the neighboring Saint Elias Mountains and the Yukon Territory in Canada.
The Wrangell Mountains are just to the northwest of the Saint Elias Mountains ... along the coast of the Gulf of Alaska. These ranges have the combined effect of blocking the inland areas from warmer moist air over the Pacific Ocean. The inland areas to the north of the Wrangell Mountains are therefore among the coldest areas of North America during the winter. [Wikipedia]
That's interesting background, but our wonder from this day wasn't facts in our heads, but awe in our hearts -- the majesty and beauty we had seen, felt, and experienced from the cockpits or our Maule MX7s, with friends!
After visiting one of the free cabin airstrips in the area, we lifted off and headed home to McCarthy and Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Not in a hurry. Not really wanting this day to end. But taking in each beautiful vista and experience during the short flight and afternoon as it came to our view and our realm. What a day!
A day of breath-taking beauty. A day of solitude and grandeur-imparting peace. A day and experience where words fail. Also a day where words seem small and unnecessary. A day of peace, beauty, solitude, joy. And all that mixed with the joy of camaraderie and friendship, having experienced something so special with close friends by your side!
Hopefully these images and video will help you experience and sense this joy.
Click here to enjoy a video.
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