Mount Sanford, early morning, fall colors and a kettle pond, boreal forest, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Mount Sanford, just after sunrise one gorgeous fall morning, is a real treat to see. Mount Sanford stands 16 237′ tall, is the 6th highest mountain in the United States, and the 4th highest mountain in Alaska. Mt. Sanford was first climbed in 1938 by noted mountaineer and photographer Bradford Washburn and his climbing partner Terris Morris.

Mount Sanford is one of the more regularly viewed mountains in the park, because it’s so clearly visible from the surrounding roads. Mounts Bona, and Saint Elias, for example, are both taller mountains, but are deep within the park’s backcountry.

Two favored viewing areas for Mt. Sanford are Simpson Hill Overlook and Willow Lake, both off the Richardson Highway near Glennallen, but I prefer the views from the Nabesna Road. Mt. Sanford towers over the expansive Copper River Basin, and is really a site to behold.