Stewart Crossing to Haggart Creek — Minto Lake Mining Road
Tintina Trench mining track — solo country.
Branching north off the Klondike Highway near Stewart Crossing, the Minto Lake Mining Road is a legitimate backcountry push through the broad Tintina Trench — one of the largest strike-slip fault valleys on earth. The road threads through mixed boreal forest and open muskeg bench country before reaching Minto Lake, a quiet body of water with good grayling fishing and zero development. The track is maintained only for mining access, so expect washouts, overgrown sections, soft muskeg shoulders that’ll eat a tire if you drift, and at least one low water crossing on a Haggart Creek tributary that rises fast in June runoff.
This is a route for experienced Yukon backcountry drivers — not because it’s technically extreme, but because the remoteness is real and recovery options don’t exist. You need a capable 4WD rig with recovery gear, a full complement of tools, extra fuel (add at least 40 liters spare), and satellite communication. The Klondike Highway is your only bailout and it can be 60+ km behind you. Best window is mid-July through August when the ground firms up and the creek crossing drops. No permits required currently, no fees. Camping is dispersed and the fishing alone justifies the trip.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 41 mi / 66 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3100 ft |
| Best season | Mid-July-August |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Stewart Crossing, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Government — Energy, Mines and Resources |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but you're pushing the limits — rock ledges, rutted mining track, and creek crossings will punish low-hanging skids and diffs. A lift of 2–3 inches and underbody armor is serious insurance out here. Recovery gear is non-negotiable, not optional.
When does this road typically open and close for the season?
Mid-July through August is the reliable window — snow lingers into June and the ground stays saturated well after that, turning the track into a bog. By September, early season snowfall in the Tintina Trench can close it fast and without warning. Check with Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive the Minto Lake Mining Road?
No permit is required to transit this route — it's a public mining access road administered by Yukon Government Energy, Mines and Resources. Active claim holders may be working in the area; give mining operations a wide berth and don't camp on active claim sites.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The roughest sections are the creek crossings — unnamed drainages with no bridges, soft approaches, and unpredictable depth after rain. The road itself is eroded placer track with embedded rock, steep side slopes, and sections where the two-track nearly disappears. Nobody is coming to pull you out, so if you high-center or get stuck, recovery is entirely on you.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there cell service anywhere on the route?
Stewart Crossing has a fuel stop — fill up there because there is nothing for the entire 66 km of trail and well beyond. Cell service is zero for the full route; bring a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach if there's any chance you want to call for help or check in with someone.
Trail track
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