Wernecke Mountains Mining Road — Keno City to Lightning Creek Divide
Silver country ghosts and Wernecke tundra.
Keno City is already the end of the paved world, but this mining track above town takes you further into Yukon’s ragged interior. The road climbs steeply from the Keno Hill mining district, leaving the last standing headframes behind as it crests onto open tundra and heads north toward the Lightning Creek drainage in the foothills of the Wernecke Mountains. The surface shifts from loose shale to clay hardpan to exposed bedrock on the upper pitches — tricky when dry, genuinely dangerous when wet. The Lightning Creek crossing at the divide is the crux move: thigh-deep in July, manageable by late August. Massive views back toward the Mayo Lake basin reward every grunt of low-range climbing.
This is not a trail for borrowed rigs or unconfident drivers. Moderate to difficult, depending on conditions — rocky shelf road sections with steep drop-offs and no guardrails. Minimum: solid stock 4×4 with high clearance and a full-size spare. Fuel in Mayo before driving the Silver Trail to Keno City; there is no fuel in Keno. Satellite communicator is essential — zero cell coverage throughout. Best season is August when ground is driest and creek levels are lowest. Dispersed camping available on the tundra benches above treeline. Bring your own water or treat from creek sources.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 31 mi / 49.9 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5600 ft |
| Best season | August-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Keno City, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Government, Energy, Mines and Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | yukon.ca |
| 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 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock 4WD high-clearance rig can make it, but you're pushing the limits on the creek crossings and loose rock climbs above 5,000 feet. Skid plates are highly recommended — there's no recovery help out here.
When does this road typically open, and is snow a real concern in August?
August through September is the window. Snow can hit the Wernecke ridges any month — early September storms have closed this road fast. Check Yukon road conditions before you leave Keno City.
Do I need a permit or are there any fees to run this trail?
No permit or fee is required to drive the route. It falls under Yukon Government land management — dispersed camping is allowed but pack out everything, the regulations are standard leave-no-trace.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The push up onto the tundra ridges north of Keno City involves steep, loose rock shelves with significant exposure and no room to turn around easily. The creek crossings vary by season but can run axle-deep after rain — probe them on foot before you commit.
How far is the nearest gas, and is there any cell service on the route?
Fuel up in Mayo before heading to Keno City — Keno has no gas station and Mayo is roughly 55 km south. There is zero cell service on this entire route, so a sat communicator is not optional out here.
Trail track
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