Carcross Desert Backcountry Road — Carcross to Montana Mountain Summit
Shale switchbacks to the roof of Southern Yukon.
The Montana Mountain road climbs out of Carcross — sitting on the shore of Bennett Lake just south of Whitehorse — and grinds up a series of switchbacks through sparse pine and exposed granite to a summit ridge that overlooks the Southern Lakes country. The trailhead off the South Klondike Highway (Hwy 2) is easy to miss, but locals know it by the mining claim markers that start appearing a few kilometres in. Expect loose shale on the upper switchbacks, off-camber shelf road cut into the mountainside, and dramatic drop-offs with no guardrails — standard Yukon mining road character. The Carcross Desert sits at the base, a genuine sand dune field left over from a glacial lake bed.
A locked differential and skid plates are strongly recommended above treeline — the shale surface gets particularly loose and rutted after rain. The road is generally passable from late May through early October, but snow can return to the summit by mid-September. No formal permit is required but respect active mining claims. Carcross has fuel, food, and a surprisingly good coffee spot. Summit views stretch across Tagish Lake, Nares Lake, and deep into the Coast Mountains — it’s one of the most accessible panoramic overlooks in southern Yukon.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5577 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Locked 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Carcross, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Government / Energy, Mines and Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run Montana Mountain, or do I need lockers?
Stock rigs will struggle. The shale switchbacks and loose rock sections demand real articulation and traction — a locker (front or rear) is listed as the minimum, and skid plates are non-negotiable given the exposed rock. A lifted, aired-down rig with at least a rear locker is the practical minimum.
When does the road to the summit actually open and close each year?
June through September is the reliable window. Snow lingers on the upper switchbacks well into late May, and early October storms can shut the summit section down fast. Check current conditions with Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources before you go — nobody's plowing it for you.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to drive Montana Mountain?
No permit or fee is currently required to drive the backcountry road. The land is managed by the Yukon Government under Energy, Mines and Resources, so normal Yukon backcountry rules apply — pack it in, pack it out, and respect active or historic mining infrastructure you may encounter.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually expect?
The upper shale switchbacks approaching the 5,577 ft summit are the crux — loose, steep, and narrow with little room to recover if you slide toward the edge. Expect sharp shale to test your sidewalls, ledge drops that will bottom out low-clearance rigs, and exposure that punishes a bad line. This is not a trail to figure out as you go.
Is there water available on the trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route but no guaranteed potable water — treat anything you pull from the trail. Carcross has fuel, but it's a small community with limited hours and no guarantee of supply, so top off in Whitehorse (~74 km north) before you run this one.
Trail track
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