Ethel Lake Road — Stewart Crossing to Ethel Lake Territorial Campground

Stewart Crossing sits at the junction of the Klondike Highway and the Silver Trail, and most rigs heading into the backcountry roll northeast toward Mayo without noticing the Ethel Lake Road cutting southeast toward the Hess Mountains. That oversight is understandable — the road is unmarked on most tourist maps and looks like a mining access track from the junction. What it actually delivers is a 40-plus kilometre run through boreal hills, past active and historic placer workings, and down to the shore of Ethel Lake where a small territorial campground sits in near-complete wilderness. Watch for soft spots mid-route where the clay subgrade holds moisture even in midsummer.

High-clearance 4WD is required, and a recovery kit is not optional on a road this far from help. The route rates Difficult — not from rock or extreme grades, but from the clay surface behavior in wet conditions and the commitment level required given zero infrastructure once you leave the highway. Pack water, fuel, and food for two days minimum. The campground has a basic outhouse and fire pit rings. Moose sightings are common along the creek sections. Best run mid-July through late August. Nearest fuel is at Stewart Crossing or back in Mayo.