Nisling River Range Road — Burwash Landing to Nines Creek Headwaters
Sheep country shale roads above Kluane — earn the view.
Pushing north from the Alaska Highway near Burwash Landing, this old mining access track climbs into the Nisling River Range — a ridge system wedged between the St. Elias Mountains to the south and the vast Yukon interior plateau to the northeast. The route was originally cut to service placer and hard-rock mineral claims scattered through the range, and faint prospect pits and old claim markers still surface along the upper sections. The road gains elevation quickly, breaking treeline within 30 km, and the views back across Kluane Lake and toward the St. Elias icefields are the kind that stop you cold with your engine running. Dall sheep work these ridges, and grizzly sign is heavy in the creek bottoms.
Difficulty steps up meaningfully in the upper third — loose shale over sidehills, narrow shelf road sections, and drainage crossings that wash out regularly. A capable high-clearance 4WD with good all-terrain rubber is the minimum; a locking rear differential makes the shale traverse notably less stressful. No services beyond Burwash Landing, which has fuel and a small general store. Best traveled June through early September; snow can return to the upper road by late August. No permits required. No cell service. Carry your water from town — upper creek sources require treatment. The solitude up here is profound.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 55 mi / 88 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5200 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with A/T tires |
| Nearest town | Burwash Landing, YT |
| Land manager | Yukon Department of 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
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with A/T tires can manage it, but the shale shelf roads and rocky climbs toward the headwaters are punishing on street tires and low-clearance rigs. A 2-3 inch lift and skid plates are a real advantage here — this isn't a trail to test your stock underbelly.
When does the trail typically open and close each year?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt turns the shale sections into a greasy mess well into May, and early October can bring snow at elevation that makes the upper portions impassable. Check current conditions with the Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources before heading out.
Do you need a permit to drive this trail or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive or camp — it's Crown land managed by Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources, and dispersed camping is allowed. No fees, no reservations, no check-in. Leave-no-trace rules still apply.
What's the hardest section and what specifically makes it gnarly?
The upper stretch approaching Nines Creek headwaters is the crux — loose shale shelf road with significant exposure, off-camber angles, and no room to turn around in spots. The surface breaks apart under your tires and the climb to 5,200 feet is relentless. One bad line on a wet day and you're digging out on a ledge with nobody around.
How far out do you need to be self-sufficient for fuel and water on this trip?
Burwash Landing has fuel — fill up there, full stop, because there's nothing else for the entire 55-mile run. Water crossings exist on trail but treat everything you pull from them; the mining history in these uplands means you don't want to guess. Carry at least 4-5 gallons extra and a solid filter.
Trail track
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