Itsi Range Road — Ross River to Itsi Lakes Wilderness
Deep Yukon wilderness, no bailout plan.
South of Ross River, where the Pelly River bends and the pavement ends, the Itsi Range Road claws into one of the least-visited mountain chains in the Yukon. The route follows old mining exploration tracks through boreal spruce, crosses several unnamed creek drainages that swell dangerously in June, and eventually climbs into open tundra where the Itsi Lakes sit silent in a glacially carved bowl. The turnoff is unmarked — you need a topo map and the confidence to commit before you find out if your rig can handle the ruts. Mid-route there’s a washed-out bridge crossing over a tributary of the Itsi River that demands careful line selection or a wet winch-out.
This is expert territory. A capable 4×4 with a snorkel, at minimum 33-inch tires, recovery gear, and satellite communication is non-negotiable. Zero cell service. No fuel between Ross River and the route’s end — top off in Ross River and carry a full auxiliary tank. Best window is late July through August when creek levels drop. No maintained camping; dispersed sites on open tundra above treeline. The reward is absolute isolation, massive sky, and the kind of Yukon that hasn’t changed since the last prospector walked out broke.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | Late July-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Expedition-built 4WD with snorkel |
| Nearest town | Ross River, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Department of Environment |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the Itsi Range Road?
No. This trail requires an expedition-built 4WD with a snorkel, reinforced skid plates, and a recovery kit. Stock rigs — even capable ones — are underprepared for the water crossings, soft ground, and remote exposure here. If your rig isn't built for multi-day self-recovery, this isn't the trail.
When does this trail actually open and what's the window like?
Late July through August is the only reliable window. Snow lingers well into summer at elevation, and the mining tracks turn into quagmires during spring melt. By September, early snowfall can close the route fast — the Yukon doesn't give warnings.
Do you need permits or permissions to run this trail?
No formal trail permit is required, but this route passes through Yukon territorial lands managed by the Yukon Department of Environment. Check in with them or the local First Nations (Kaska Dena) before heading out — access norms and land use conditions in this region can shift, and showing respect up front matters.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The creek crossings in the mid-section are the crux — some are unmapped, unbridged, and change character depending on recent rain or snowmelt. Combine that with soft, rutted mining track on steep sidehills with no margin for a slide, and you've got terrain that punishes hesitation. There is no bailout from the back half of this route.
How far is the nearest fuel stop and how much range do you need?
Ross River is your last fuel before you head in — fill everything, including any auxiliary tanks. The round trip is roughly 97 miles (156 km) of hard terrain, and fuel burn on technical ground runs high. You want at least 150 miles of reserve capacity before leaving town.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.