Death Valley National Park vs Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

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Death Valley National Park vs Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve

Looking for the ultimate national park showdown? Look no further than the comparison between Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve! These two parks are vastly different from one another, but both offer unique and unforgettable experiences for any nature lover.

Death Valley is a place of extremes. It’s the driest, hottest, and lowest national park in the country, making it a true test of survival for those who dare to explore it. But despite its harsh conditions, it’s also a place of incredible beauty, with towering sand dunes, sparkling salt flats, and ancient rock formations that will leave you breathless.

Wrangell – St. Elias, on the other hand, is a place of glaciers, mountains, and pristine wilderness that will take your breath away. This is the largest national park in the country, and it’s home to some of the tallest peaks in North America, making it a mecca for mountaineers and adventurers. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a scenic drive, this park has something for everyone.

So, which park will come out on top? Who will win the title of the ultimate national park experience? Stay tuned to find out!

Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest and most diverse national parks in the United States. Both parks offer a wide range of hiking trails, from easy walks to strenuous multi-day backpacks.

Death Valley is known for its scorching temperatures and barren landscape. Despite the harsh conditions, there are several easy hikes in the park, such as the Badwater Basin Trail, a 2.5-mile round trip hike to the lowest point in North America. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the park has several multi-day backpacks, including the Marble Canyon Loop, a 27-mile trip through canyons and slot valleys.

Wrangell – St Elias, on the other hand, is a remote wilderness area in Alaska with towering peaks, glaciers, and abundant wildlife. The park offers a variety of hikes, including the Root Glacier Trail, a 3-mile round trip hike to the edge of the glacier. For those seeking a more strenuous challenge, the park has several backpacking trips, including the multi-day Mount Bona Expedition, a strenuous hike to the summit of one of the tallest mountains in North America.

In conclusion, both Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer a range of hiking trails for all levels of hikers, from easy walks to multi-day backpacks. Whether you are looking for a scenic stroll or a challenging adventure, these parks have something for everyone.

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail 2896.812 2.7432 Easy out and back 4.5
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail 4506.152 62.7888 Easy out and back 4.5
Zabriskie Point 643.736 15.8496 Easy out and back 4.5
Dante’s View Trail 2574.944 109.728 Easy out and back 4.5
Telescope Peak Trail 19312.08 1012.8504 Hard out and back 4.5
Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral 4667.086 174.9552 Moderate out and back 4.5
Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop via Zabriskie Point 9334.172 332.8416 Moderate loop 4.5
Mosaic Canyon Trail 5632.69 324.9168 Easy out and back 4
Death Valley Natural Bridge Road 6920.162 304.8 Easy out and back 4
Darwin Falls Trail via Old Toll Road 3057.746 68.8848 Easy out and back 4

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Name Length Elevation Type Difficulty Visitor Ratings
Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail 1609.34 72.8472 Moderate loop 4.5
Wind Cave Canyon Trail 6115.492 64.9224 Easy out and back 4
Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop 8368.568 156.972 Moderate loop 4
Cold Brook Canyon Trail 4506.152 60.96 Easy out and back 4
East Bison Flats Trail 16254.334 445.9224 Moderate out and back 4.5
Boland Ridge Trail 7724.832 248.7168 Moderate out and back 4
Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd 13035.654 286.8168 Moderate point to point 4.5
Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail 4023.35 99.9744 Easy out and back 3.5
Prairie Vista Loop 1609.34 31.6992 Easy out and back 4
Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop 21887.024 443.7888 Hard loop 4.6

Wildlife in Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve are two vastly different national parks in terms of their geography and wildlife. Death Valley is located in the Mojave Desert and is known for its extreme heat and arid conditions. The park is home to a variety of reptiles, including the desert tortoise, rattlesnakes, and Gila monsters. Visitors may also spot coyotes, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits.
On the other hand, Wrangell – St Elias is located in Alaska and is known for its glaciers and abundant wildlife. The park is home to a variety of mammals, including moose, caribou, brown bears, and wolves. Visitors may also spot bald eagles, ravens, and other bird species. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildflowers, including fireweed and lupines.
Both parks offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities, but it’s important to remember that the conditions and animals present in each park will vary depending on the time of year and the specific location within the park.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Death Valley National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon
Northern Harrier Northern Harrier
Sharp-Shinned Hawk Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Osprey Osprey
Tree Swallow Tree Swallow
Mallard Mallard
Canada Goose Canada Goose
Lincoln’s Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
American Robin American Robin
Great Horned Owl Great Horned Owl
Red-Tailed Hawk Red-Tailed Hawk
Northern Flicker Northern Flicker
Merlin Merlin
Barn Swallow Barn Swallow
Savannah Sparrow Savannah Sparrow
Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron
Hermit Thrush Hermit Thrush
American Kestrel American Kestrel
Bald Eagle Bald Eagle
Song Sparrow Song Sparrow
European Starling European Starling
Northern Pintail Northern Pintail
American Wigeon American Wigeon
Green-Winged Teal Green-Winged Teal

Mammals

Death Valley National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Coyote Coyote
Muskrat American Beaver
Big Brown Bat Muskrat
Bobcat Little Brown Bat
Little Brown Bat Black Bear
Deer Mouse Porcupine
Raccoon Red Fox
Porcupine Puma
Silver-Haired Bat Mink
Hoary Bat Mule Deer
House Mouse Wolf
Mountain Lion Short-Tailed Weasel
Mule Deer Snowshoe Hare
Gray Fox Land Otter
Long-Legged Myotis Common Shrew
Long-Eared Myotis Water Shrew
Badger Red Squirrel
Californian Myotis Montane Shrew
Fringed Myotis Long-Tailed Vole
Common Shrew Lynx
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat Wolverine
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat American Marten
Bushy-Tailed Woodrat Northern Flying Squirrel
Western Harvest Mouse Grizzly Bear
Western Small-Footed Myotis Meadow Vole

Reptiles

Death Valley National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Gopher Snake
Terrestrial Gartersnake
Ring-Necked Snake
Common Sagebrush Lizard
Common Side-Blotched Lizard
Rubber Boa
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard
Smith������S Black-Headed Snake
Tree Lizard
Eastern Fence Lizard
Glossy Snake
Long-Nosed Snake
Western Fence Lizard

Insects

Death Valley National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Orange Sulphur Silvery Blue
Painted Lady Clouded Sulphur
Monarch Butterfly
American Lady
Red Admiral
Mourning Cloak
Cabbage White
Silvery Blue
Common Checkered-Skipper
Clouded Sulphur
Honey Bee
Variegated Fritillary
Buckeye
Purplish Copper
Gray Hairstreak

Fish

Death Valley National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Largemouth Bass Steelhead
Mosquitofish Longnose Sucker
Goldfish Lake Trout
Northern Pike
Burbot
Silver Salmon
King Salmon
Slimy Sculpin
Threespine Stickleback
Sockeye Salmon
Pink Salmon
Chum Salmon
Dolly Varden
Cutthroat Trout
Arctic Grayling

Amphibians

Death Valley National Park Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve
Woodhouse’s Toad Wood Frog
Canyon Treefrog

Beautiful Landscapes in Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Death Valley National Park is known for its scorching hot temperatures, vast salt flats, and unique sand dunes. Visitors flock to see the famous Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. The park also boasts the beautiful Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the colorful Artist’s Palette.

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve, on the other hand, is known for its massive glacier-capped mountains and stunning wilderness. It is home to Mount St. Elias, the second highest peak in the United States, as well as the Wrangell and St. Elias mountain ranges. Visitors to the park can explore the stunning Root Glacier or take a scenic flight over the glaciers and peaks. The park also offers opportunities to view wildlife, including caribou, brown bears, and moose.

Both Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve offer unique and beautiful landscapes that are sure to amaze visitors. While Death Valley is a feast for the eyes with its barren landscapes and striking colors, Wrangell- St. Elias is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its rugged terrain, glaciers, and diverse wildlife.

Things To-Do and Activities in Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Death Valley National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve are two unique parks that offer different experiences to visitors. Death Valley is known for its incredible landscapes and unique geological features, including sand dunes, salt flats, and canyons. Visitors flock to the park to take scenic drives and take in the stunning views. Popular activities at Death Valley include stargazing, scenic drives, and photography.

Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the US and is famous for its glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and wild rivers. It is a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts who love to hike, camp, fish, and explore the great outdoors. Visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias love to explore the park’s vast wilderness, go wildlife viewing, and take scenic drives to see glaciers and wild rivers. Additionally, the park offers many opportunities for backcountry adventures, including wilderness camping, fishing, and mountaineering.

In conclusion, both Death Valley and Wrangell-St. Elias offer unique experiences for visitors, but each park caters to different interests. Whether you’re looking for stunning scenic drives, outdoor adventures, or breathtaking landscapes, both parks offer something for everyone.

Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve have vastly different climates and seasons, making them ideal for different types of outdoor activities.

Death Valley is known for its extreme temperatures and arid conditions. Summer temperatures can reach well over 100°F, making it unbearable for many visitors. On the other hand, winter temperatures are mild, with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s°F, making it a popular time for those who enjoy hiking and backpacking.

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska and experiences much colder temperatures, with snow and ice covering much of the park for much of the year. Summer temperatures are cool, with daytime highs in the 40s and 50s°F, making it ideal for backpacking and camping. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, making it a popular destination for those who enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.

Both parks have unique weather patterns that affect when is the best time of year to visit. For Death Valley, the best time to visit is in the winter when temperatures are mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. For Wrangell – St. Elias, the best time to visit is in the summer when temperatures are cool and the snow has melted, making it ideal for backpacking and camping.

Family Friendliness of Death Valley National Park and Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Death Valley National Park and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve are two of the largest national parks in the United States, and both offer unique experiences for visitors. However, when it comes to traveling with children, one park may be a better option than the other.

Death Valley National Park can be a challenging destination for families with young children. The park is known for its extreme temperatures, harsh desert terrain, and limited shade. Additionally, many of the park’s attractions, such as hiking trails and scenic drives, may not be suitable for young children.

On the other hand, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is a much more family-friendly destination. This park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and camping, that are suitable for families with children of all ages. The park also has several visitor centers and ranger-led programs that offer educational and interactive experiences for kids.

In conclusion, if you’re traveling with children, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the better choice for a family-friendly experience. The park offers a range of activities and educational programs that are suitable for kids of all ages, and its diverse landscape and scenic beauty make it a great destination for families.

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