Burwash Landing to Destruction Bay Backcountry Loop
Gold rush ruins with glacier views
The old Burwash Creek mining road branches north off the Alaska Highway, climbing through aspen and spruce toward the Ruby Range where prospectors worked placer claims until the 1960s. This 85-kilometer loop connects several abandoned mining camps around Kluane Lake’s northern basin, passing close enough to the Kaskawulsh Glacier to hear it groaning on quiet mornings. The route crosses Burwash Creek multiple times before climbing to treeline, where you get unobstructed views of Mount Logan and the St. Elias icefields. Winter trapping cabins and rusted mining equipment mark the high country before the trail drops back toward Destruction Bay through heavy timber.
Moderate 4WD skills required, mainly for creek crossings and loose rock on the steeper climbs. Stock high-clearance trucks handle most of it fine, though approach angles matter on some switchbacks. Late June through September offers the best conditions — earlier and you’re dealing with snowpack, later brings hunting season and increased traffic. No permits, but respect private mining claims still active in the area. Fuel up in Burwash Landing and carry water for the dry sections. The payoff is legitimate wilderness camping with million-dollar views of Canada’s highest peaks, plus the chance to explore some real Yukon mining history.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 53 mi / 85 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4800 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Burwash Landing, YT |
| Land manager | Yukon Government |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock 4WD high-clearance truck like a Tacoma or 4Runner will get through, but the mixed surface includes loose shale, rutted doubletrack, and creek crossings that punish low-clearance vehicles hard. Skid plates are strongly advised. A lift helps but isn't the requirement — ground clearance and a locking diff are.
Is this trail accessible in early June or does snowmelt make it impassable?
June is marginal. Snow lingers above 4,000 ft in the Ruby Range into mid-June most years, and snowmelt turns creek crossings unpredictable and swells them fast. Late June through August is the reliable window — September works but watch for early snowfall closing the high sections without warning.
Do I need a permit to run this loop or camp out there?
No permit is required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping on this route — it falls under Yukon Government land. Camp 50 meters off water sources and follow Leave No Trace; there are no designated sites, no fees, and no registration system in place.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The creek crossings in the Ruby Range interior are the crux — they're not deep in late summer but the rocky bottoms are loose and the approaches are steep-sided with no room to pick your line. Water levels vary wildly by day depending on glacier melt, so cross early morning when temps have been cold overnight.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
Burwash Landing has a gas station right at the start — fill up there, no exceptions. Destruction Bay at the southern end also has fuel, but don't count on it being open; inventory and hours are inconsistent. Carry extra fuel for the full 53-mile loop plus a buffer, and pack a satellite communicator because you are completely on your own out there.
Trail track
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