Chisana Mining District Road

The Chisana Mining District Road (also spelled Shushana) climbs through the Nutzotin Mountains to reach Alaska’s highest mining camp at over 3,000 feet elevation, deep in the Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness. This rough mining road was carved out in 1913 during Alaska’s last great gold rush, when thousands stampeded to what newspapers called the “largest placer camp in the world.” The 45-mile route from Nabesna Road crosses multiple creek beds and navigates through sections of permafrost heave that can shake your fillings loose, especially the notorious Chathenda Creek crossing that’s claimed more differentials than a Moab obstacle course.

This is expert-level terrain requiring serious 4WD capability, recovery gear, and mechanical skills. Rock sliders and skid plates aren’t optional—they’re survival equipment. The route is only passable June through September, and even then weather can shut it down for days. No permits required but notify someone of your plans; this is grizzly country with zero cell coverage. The payoff is accessing one of Alaska’s most remote and historically significant mining districts, where original cabins and equipment from the 1913 rush still dot the landscape.