Burwash Landing to Destruction Bay Backcountry Loop

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.