Stewart River Mining Road — Mayo Landing to Brewery Creek Gold Fields
Gold rush ghosts and active claims in the Interior.
The Stewart River drainage is one of the most historically significant gold corridors in the Yukon, and the track pushing out from Mayo Landing toward the Brewery Creek gold fields — site of ongoing heap-leach gold mining since the 1990s — cuts through some of the most untrafficked terrain in the Interior. The road follows high benches above the Stewart before dropping into boreal creek drainages, passing abandoned placer dredge workings, rusted equipment, and the occasional active claim marked with orange stakes and access restrictions. Brewery Creek itself has a fascinating modern open-pit heritage layered on top of turn-of-the-century placer history. Mud holes on the low sections between creek drainages are legitimate obstacles, not inconveniences.
Rated Difficult — the combination of soft ground, remote location, and variable road maintenance from the mining operators means you can’t plan this one casually. High-clearance 4×4 minimum; a winch and full recovery gear are standard kit for this kind of run. Fuel in Mayo before leaving — Brewery Creek has no public services. Best season is July through mid-September; the access road can be gated or restricted depending on mine operational status, so confirm current access with Yukon Government Energy, Mines and Resources before heading out. No permit required for road travel but respect posted claim boundaries. The history hanging over this valley is worth every mud-caked kilometer.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 46 mi / 74 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4x4 with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Mayo, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Government — Energy, Mines and Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | yukon.ca |
| 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?
Stock high-clearance 4x4 is the minimum — a Tacoma or 4Runner will manage, but low-hanging skid plates will take hits on the rougher sections near Brewery Creek. A 2-3 inch lift with all-terrain tires is a real advantage. Bring a full recovery kit; there's no one coming to pull you out.
When does this road typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. Spring breakup leaves the dirt sections badly rutted and water crossings high and unpredictable well into June. Snow can return in September, so don't push into October unless you're prepared for winter conditions at 3,800 feet.
Do you need a permit to drive through active placer mining claims?
No permit is required to travel the road corridor, but many of the claims along this route are active under Yukon mineral tenure — stay on the road and don't disturb any mining equipment, tailings, or claim markers. Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources (yukon.ca) administers the area; trespassing on an active claim is a legal issue, not just a courtesy one.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The stretch approaching Brewery Creek is the gnarliest — expect off-camber shelf road, loose shale, and at least one water crossing with no defined line that changes depending on recent rain. The challenge isn't any single obstacle but the sustained remoteness: 46 miles with no cell service, no services, and terrain that punishes mechanical failures hard.
How much fuel do you need, and can you resupply in Mayo before heading out?
Fill up completely in Mayo before you leave — there is zero fuel on this route and the round trip is over 90 miles of slow, rough driving that burns fuel faster than highway estimates. A secondary fuel can is strongly advised. Mayo has a gas station; it's a small town, so don't assume 24-hour availability.
Trail track
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