Page 56 - Richardson And Glenn Highways (East Alaska)

COPPER VALLEY
WRANGELL MOUNTAINS
Beautiful Mountains From Any Angle
The Wrangell Mountains are among the highest mountains in Alaska. There are twelve moun- tains over 13,000 feet in the Wrangell Mountain range. From the highways of the Copper Valley area, four main peaks are easily visible on sun- ny days. Even in cloudy weather, the bases or partial peaks ofthese mountains may be seen.
The Richardson Highway travels in an arc around the Wrangell Mountains, following the Copper River. Mount Drum appears tallest from Glennallen, but that's just because the moun- tain is closer to the road there. The shapes and order of the mountains change as you move north and south along the highways. Mount Drum in particular, looks very different from Glennallen than it does when you view it 80 miles to the south.
Local Ahtna people already had names for the Wrangell Mountains (including one for active volcano Mt. Wrangell when dormant, and an- other for when it was erupting). Late 1800's ex- plorers named the mountains again - often in honor of local residents from their hometowns or famous politicians.
Mt. Drum (12,010 ft)
K'ett'aeni
The Wrangell Mountains can be seen from all over the Copper Valley.
Photos By Neil Hannan
WRANGELL