Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Name	Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Location	Alaska, United States
Nearest city	Copper Center, Glenallen
Coordinates	61°00′N 142°00′W
Area	13,200,000 acres
Established	December 2, 1980
Visitation num	68,292
Governing body	National Park Service

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a vast and remote national park located in Alaska, United States, near the Canada-Alaska border, and is part of the Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek transboundary protected area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is named after the Wrangell Mountains and Saint Elias Mountains, which are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and is home to Mount Saint Elias, the highest peak in Canada and the second-highest peak in the United States, after Denali. The park is also near the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, and the Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon, Canada.

Geography and Climate

The park's geography is characterized by its location in the Alaska Range, with the Wrangell Mountains and Saint Elias Mountains forming the backbone of the park, and is home to numerous glaciers, including the Bering Glacier and the Malaspina Glacier. The park's climate is subarctic, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers, and is influenced by the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean. The park is also home to numerous rivers, including the Copper River and the Chitistone River, which flow into the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. The park's geography and climate are similar to those of other Alaska national parks, such as Denali National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and are also influenced by the North American plate and the Pacific plate.

History

The park has a rich and diverse history, with evidence of human presence dating back to the Paleoindian period, around 10,000 years ago, and is home to numerous archaeological sites, including the Chitistone Archaeological Site and the Slana Archaeological Site. The park was also home to the Ahtna people and the Upper Tanana people, who hunted and fished in the area, and is near the Klondike Gold Rush trail, which brought thousands of prospectors to the area in the late 19th century. The park was established on December 2, 1980, as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter, and is managed by the National Park Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

Geology

The park's geology is characterized by its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, with numerous volcanoes, including Mount Blackburn and Mount Sanford, which are part of the Wrangell Volcanic Field. The park is also home to numerous faults, including the Denali Fault and the Totschunda Fault, which are part of the North American plate and the Pacific plate. The park's geology is similar to that of other Alaska national parks, such as Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, and is also influenced by the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula.

Wildlife and Vegetation

The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep, and is also home to numerous bird species, including bald eagles, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons. The park's vegetation is characterized by its subarctic climate, with numerous tree species, including spruce trees, aspen trees, and birch trees, and is also home to numerous wildflowers, including fireweed and wild roses. The park's wildlife and vegetation are similar to those of other Alaska national parks, such as Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park, and are also influenced by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

Tourism and Recreation

The park offers numerous opportunities for tourism and recreation, including hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and wildlife viewing, and is also home to numerous rivers and lakes, which offer opportunities for fishing and boating. The park is accessible by airplane or car, and is near the Tok Cut-Off and the Glenn Highway, which connect to Anchorage and Fairbanks. The park is also home to numerous lodges and cabins, including the Nabesna Roadhouse and the Slana Lodge, which offer accommodations and guiding services for visitors.

Conservation and Management

The park is managed by the National Park Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, to conserve and protect its natural and cultural resources, and is also part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The park's conservation and management efforts are focused on protecting its wildlife and vegetation, as well as its cultural resources, including its archaeological sites and historic buildings, and are similar to those of other Alaska national parks, such as Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The park is also near the Tongass National Forest and the Chugach National Forest, which are managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Category:National parks in Alaska