36 miles west of Denali (Mt. McKinley), Mt. Russell is one of the major peaks of the Alaska Range—and one of the most dramatic. To give a sense for its size and steepness, it rises over a vertical mile above the Chedotlothna Glacier to the northwest in less than two miles. It rises two miles above the Yentna Glacier to the south in only 8 miles.

Overshadowed by its massive neighbors, only six ascents of the peak had been recorded by 2001. The first ascent was made in May of 1962 by three climbers who ascended the West Face from the Chedotlothna Glacier. The second ascent was made ten years later up the now-standard North Ridge route off the Yentna Glacier. Today, guided climbs of the peak are available, though seldom done.

From Kantishna at the end of the Denali Park Road, Mt. Russell is the shapely peak seen on the far right of the Alaska Range.

Getting There

Coordinates
Latitude: 62.79851
Longitude: -151.884
Driving Directions