You enter into/onto the McCarthy Road by passing through the rock pass, drive slow and feel the transformation.....
As I said before 60 miles of road that was laid on top an old railroad track bed. McCarthy is by an old copper mine called Kennicot (about five miles away). The Kennicot mine use to run back in the late 20's and 30's (I think I read that somewhere). But shut down, and shut down quick. Before the tourist arrived you could go into the post office and see addressed mail sitting in peoples box, and everything was kind of left as is. The mine itself is on a hillside looking over a glacier. Luckily the Parks Service has taken over the mine and started to restore it.
But let's talk about the road. Hopefully the restoration of the mine WILL NOT give cause to pave the road. Mainly cause it feels like on of the last places you have to challenge yourself with your vehicle a little bit to get there. Kind of like I remember taking the old truck into the mountains in Colorado. But the McCarthy road doesn't have alot of steep climbs or curvy descent. You do have to watch the road bed for railroad spikes and timbers sticking out. The best way to drive it is slow and enjoy it. Hell, pop a top to a beer, yes I know it's drinking and driving, but damn it, I miss drinking and driving along a scenic by-way. In fact I'm looking into opening an official Drinking and Driving Park. But anyway, check out some pics.... sc
