Bonanza Mine Trail

Kennecott used to be a small copper mining town in the early 1900s and Bonanza Mine is currently the most accessible mine, requiring a lengthy, but straightforward, day hike. The trail begins near the beginning of the Root Glacier Trail close to the end of Kennecott Road. Follow the switchbacks through the trees up to the tundra, where the views really open up. The Bonanza bowl is very picturesque with patches of snow, a stream and small waterfalls, and turning around, you see Root Glacier and the Chugach Mountains. Continuing through the bowl, remnants of mining operations are ever-present and the trail culminates at the mine bunkhouse ruins. Here, you can hike around and observe the historic artifacts, and if you are ambitious enough, you can continue up to Bonanza Peak. The route to the summit is described in the Bonanza Peak Hike. The trail has an intermediate / difficult rating due to its grade and patches of snow along the trail.