Grew Creek Road — Pelly Crossing to Grew Creek Placer Fields
Placer gold country past the Pelly River.
The Grew Creek Road departs the Klondike Highway near Pelly Crossing and punches northeast into the Selwyn Mountains foothills, following a valley that has seen placer gold activity since the early 1900s. The road itself is an active mining access corridor — you’ll share it with heavy equipment hauling to and from active claims, so stay tight to the right and watch your mirrors on blind corners. The Grew Creek crossing at roughly kilometre 45 is the crux: no bridge, spring runoff can make it impassable into early July, and even summer levels demand a high belly clearance and a confident approach. Beyond the crossing, the track opens into wide gravel bars backed by tailing piles from decades of hydraulic mining — a landscape that’s industrial and oddly beautiful at the same time.
Moderate to difficult depending on season. A high-clearance 4WD is mandatory; a snatch block and recovery gear are not optional given the creek crossing and the distance from any help. Pelly Crossing has a gas station and basic supplies — it’s your last resupply. Best window is mid-July through August when water levels drop. No permit needed for travel, but respect active mining claim boundaries — trespassing on a working claim will get you run off fast. Dispersed camping on Crown land away from active operations is fine.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 52 mi / 83.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3480 ft |
| Best season | Mid-July–August |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Pelly Crossing, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig needed for Grew Creek Road?
High-clearance 4WD is the floor — think lifted truck or dedicated overland rig. A stock crossover or low-clearance SUV will get torn up on the rutted mining access sections and hung up at water crossings.
When is Grew Creek Road actually passable?
Mid-July through August is the reliable window. Spring breakup leaves the road a muddy wreck well into June, and early September can bring snow at elevation that turns the dirt sections into a greasy mess.
Do you need a permit to drive into the Grew Creek placer fields?
No permit is required to drive the road itself, but the placer fields are active mining claims managed under Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources — stay on the road and don't prospect or disturb active claims without authorization from the claim holder.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The water crossings are the crux — they're unimproved, depth varies with recent rain, and there's no one coming to pull you out. Current can be real in early season; scout every crossing on foot before committing.
Is there any fuel or resupply between Pelly Crossing and the placer fields?
Zero. Pelly Crossing is your last fuel stop and it's a small community — top off there and carry a reserve. For 52 miles of backcountry with no services and no cell signal, pack like you won't see another vehicle for two days.
Trail track
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