Wrangell Mountains

The Wrangell Mountains are a largely volcanic range in eastern Alaska bordering the Saint Elias and Chugach Mountains. Mount Blackburn, at 16,390 feet, is the highest peak.[1]

Peaks

The range includes Mount Blackburn (16,390 ft), Mount Sanford (16,237 ft), Mount Wrangell (14,163 ft), Regal Mountain (13,845 ft) and Mount Drum (12,010 ft). It holds 12 of Alaska’s 40-plus peaks above 13,000 feet.[1]

Geology

The range is almost entirely volcanic in origin. Blackburn and Sanford are the second- and third-highest volcanoes in the United States, and Mount Wrangell, one of the world’s largest andesite shield volcanoes, is the only currently active volcano in the range.[1]

Protection

Much of the range lies within Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve.[1]

Location and setting

The Wrangell Mountains are a high range in eastern Alaska and part of the Yukon Ranges, much of it lying within Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park and Preserve. They sit northwest of the Saint Elias Mountains and northeast of the Chugach Mountains, which front the Gulf of Alaska and block moist Pacific air from reaching the interior [2].

Highest peaks

Mount Blackburn is the highest point at 16,390 feet (4,996 m), followed by Mount Sanford at 16,237 feet (4,949 m) and Mount Wrangell at 14,163 feet (4,317 m). Other peaks above 13,000 feet include the Atna Peaks, Regal Mountain, Parka Peak, Mount Jarvis, and Mount Zanetti, and the range has 12 peaks above 13,000 feet. Mount Drum rises to 12,010 feet and Castle Peak to 10,190 feet [2].

Volcanic origin

The range is almost entirely volcanic in origin. Mount Blackburn and Mount Sanford are the second and third highest volcanoes in the United States, and Mount Wrangell is one of the largest andesite shield volcanoes in the world and the only currently active volcano in the range. The Wrangell Mountains make up most of the Wrangell Volcanic Field, which extends into the Saint Elias Mountains and Yukon Territory in Canada [2].

Name

The range is named for Ferdinand von Wrangel, an explorer, admiral, and president of the Russian-American Company [2].

FAQs

What is the highest peak? Mount Blackburn, 16,390 feet.

Is any volcano active? Mount Wrangell.

Which park protects them? Wrangell–Saint Elias National Park and Preserve.

What is the highest peak in the Wrangell Mountains? Mount Blackburn at 16,390 feet [2].

Which Wrangell volcano is active? Mount Wrangell is the only currently active volcano in the range [2].

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Wrangell Mountains
2. Wikipedia: Wrangell Mountains

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue