Dezadeash Lake to Bates Lake Road — Kluane Foothills Backcountry
Kluane's forgotten lake, earned hard.
South of Haines Junction, this unmaintained track drops off the Alaska Highway system and works its way into the forgotten fringe of Kluane National Park’s buffer zone. The route follows old exploration tracks through spruce lowlands before climbing onto open bench land with views of the St. Elias peaks to the west. River crossings at Dezadeash River tributaries are the gate — they dictate whether you proceed or park it and hike. In late spring these runs are shin-deep on a tall person; in June they’re wheel-well deep. Bates Lake itself is a glassy, windswept wilderness lake rarely visited outside of floatplane hunters and a handful of committed overland rigs per season.
Moderate to difficult depending on water levels — high clearance 4WD is non-negotiable, and lockers help on the soft bench sections after rain. No cell service, no fuel after Haines Junction. Pack your own water purification; the lake water is good but treat it. Best window is late July through mid-September after runoff drops. No permit required but inform someone of your route — this is genuine wilderness, and SAR response times in the Kluane region are measured in hours, not minutes.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4200 ft |
| Best season | Late July–September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Haines Junction, YT |
| Land manager | Parks Canada / Yukon Government |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | pc.gc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted 4Runner or Tacoma with a locker handle this trail stock, or does it need more?
A high-clearance 4WD with at least a rear locker is the real minimum here — a stock Tacoma TRD Pro or 4Runner with a locker can make it, but expect to work for it. Aggressive all-terrain tires and solid recovery gear are non-negotiable on this one; you're not getting a tow truck out here.
When does this route actually open in spring, and can you run it in early July?
Late July is the earliest realistic window — snowmelt keeps the creek crossings high and the foothills soft well into July most years. Early July runs are a gamble that often ends in a stuck rig in the Kluane backcountry with zero cell service.
Do you need a permit to drive into the Kluane backcountry on this route, and is there a fee?
The route skirts Parks Canada's Kluane National Park boundary and runs partly through Yukon territorial land, so a formal park entry permit isn't required for the drive itself — but check with Parks Canada in Haines Junction before you go, as access rules near the park boundary can shift. No fee for the road corridor as of recent seasons.
What's the hardest section and what makes it genuinely difficult?
The creek crossings approaching the Bates Lake basin are where rigs get stopped — multiple unbridged channels with rocky, shifting bottoms that can run thigh-deep in high water years. Throw in loose shale climbs with no room to line up a recovery and you've got the crux of this trail.
How far is the nearest fuel stop, and is there any place to resupply near the trailhead?
Haines Junction is your last fuel and food stop — roughly 20 km from the Dezadeash Lake trailhead — and there is nothing beyond that until you're back out. Top off your tank and carry extra fuel; 34 miles of rough backcountry at low speed burns more than you'd think.
Trail track
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