Tintina Trench Road — Stewart Crossing to Haggart Creek Divide
Placer country deep in the Tintina fault.
The Tintina Trench is one of the largest fault valleys on the continent, and this rough track drops you right into the gut of it. Setting out from Stewart Crossing on the Klondike Highway, the road climbs northeast through spruce and birch before the valley opens wide and the geology gets raw. Haggart Creek was a working placer operation for decades, and rusted sluice boxes and tailings piles mark the roadside like a timeline. The creek crossing at Haggart is the make-or-break point — spring runoff can push it thigh-deep and fast, while late summer drops it to an easy ford. Beyond the crossing, the track stiffens into loose shale and wet muskeg before flattening at the divide.
This is a high-clearance 4WD route — a bone-stock SUV will struggle past the first creek. Lifted rigs with all-terrains are the minimum; lockers are a real asset in the muskeg sections. No fuel, no cell service, no rangers. Nearest fuel is Stewart Crossing (Yukon Highway 2). Best tackled late June through August before the fall freeze returns the muskeg to something approaching solid. Dispersed camping is possible on the gravel benches above the creek. No permit required. What you get is a full day of honest northern solitude and a geology lesson you won’t forget.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3400 ft |
| Best season | Late June–August |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Stewart Crossing, Yukon |
| Land manager | Government of 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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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it, but you'll want at least 8–9 inches of clearance. The rutted sections and water crossings punish anything lower — lifted rigs have a noticeably easier time. Skid plates are strongly advised.
When does the Tintina Trench Road actually open up after winter?
Late June is the realistic window — before that, snowmelt turns the low sections into soft, rutted mud that'll swallow axles. August is your safest bet; aim to be out before mid-September when early Yukon snowfall can close the divide fast.
Do you need a permit or pay any fees to run this trail?
No permit required and no fee to access the road. It's managed by Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources — active and historic mining tenure land, so stay on the established track and don't disturb any claim infrastructure you come across.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The climb toward Haggart Creek Divide is where things get serious — steep switchbacks with loose gravel, off-camber shelf road, and no room to turn around if you lose traction. Combined with potential water crossings that vary from ankle-deep to axle-deep depending on snowmelt, this is not a trail to push in a borrowed rig or with bald tires.
How far is the nearest fuel stop and should I carry extra gas for this run?
Stewart Crossing has fuel at the lodge — fill up there before you leave, no exceptions. The trail is 38 miles of remote backcountry with zero services, and the nearest next fuel source is Mayo or Pelly Crossing, both over an hour out once you're done. Carry a minimum 5-gallon spare jerry can given the terrain and low-gear crawling that'll tank your mileage.
Trail track
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