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Chilkoot Trail Conditions Report

Looking from the Scales toward Chilkoot Pass on August 21st. NPS photo/A. Brady

The same view two days later, August 23rd. NPS photo/A. Brady

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CHILKOOT TRAIL CONDITIONS - Post season

Winter 2017-2018

Note: permits are not required during the fall and winter, but through and overnight hikers must still register at the National Park Service Administrative Offices in Skagway or with Parks Canada in Whitehorse. Offices are open Monday-Friday.

 

EMERGENCIES
U.S. Park Service Rangers and Parks Canada Wardens will not be on patrol until June 1, 2018. There is no cell phone coverage along the trail. Iridium Satellite phones may work in some areas. Satellite phone users may seek 24 hour emergency assistance through Denali Dispatch at 1-907-683-2276 in US or Jasper Dispatch at 1-877-852-3100 in Canada. At Log Cabin your closest contact for help is Canadian Customs at Fraser (four miles south of Log cabin parking lot along the Klondike Highway). Bad weather conditions may delay medical or rescue assistance for several days. Helicopter medical evacuations from the trail will cost a minimum of $1700. Trail hikers are advised to consult their medical insurance policies before starting their hike. Only those experienced in winter backcountry travel, prepared with essential avalanche safety and winter camping gear, and travelling with partners should attempt the Chilkoot in winter.

 

TRAIL
The trail is unmarked and not readily identified during the winter/spring season. Route finding skills are essential. Carry a map and compass. Shelters are available at Finnegans, Canyon City, Sheep Camp, Happy Camp, Lindeman, and Bennett for preparing meals and warming up. Shelters may be used for overnight accommodation during the winter months, but must be shared with other users. Some shelters may have to be dug free of snow to gain access. Hikers should come prepared with tent or bivy for emergency shelter. Allow sufficient time and energy to properly prepare camp upon arrival. There is a woodstove at each of these shelters except Happy Camp, however wood may not be available. Carry extra clothing, food, fuel, matches, etc. Increased travel times and delays can be expected under certain weather conditions and white-outs.

 

WEATHER
Weather conditions can be severe and unpredictable. Conditions above tree line change quickly and can be especially severe. High winds, driving snow, and poor visibility may prevent travel through this alpine terrain. Whiteout conditions are common and can prevent detection of hazardous avalanche terrain, cliffs, open water and overflow. Temperatures vary from 30F/-1C to -50F/-46C. It snows up to 200inches/508cm per year at the Pass. Be prepared for rain, sleet, snow, ice and winds in excess of 50mph/80kmph. Come dressed and prepared for cold weather environmental conditions.

 

Explore the weather conditions for the last 24 hours at

• Dyea (Taiya River bridge)
• Sheep Camp
• Chilkoot Pass

 

• 

  Chilkoot Pass Webcam

  This webcam updates once daily.  South facing view from Chilkoot Pass.  During winter months the camera may be partly or entirely covered with snow.

  • View webcam

 

REGISTRATION
Hikers are strongly encouraged to record planned hiking itineraries for the trail and for customs at the National Park Service Visitor Center at 2nd & Broadway. There is no permit fee at this time. U.S. Customs phone number is 907-983-3144. Canadian Customs at Fraser can be reached at 867-821-4111 for further questions in regards to crossing the border. The Trail Center will open June 1, 2018 and registration fees will begin at that time.

 

AVALANCHE HAZARD
Avalanches are a natural phenomenon which may occur during any season on the trail. Extreme avalanche conditions often exist between Sheep Camp and Deep Lake, and in Moose Creek Canyon. Campgrounds may be unsafe. Extreme avalanche conditions can also develop elsewhere in the park given the right set of conditions ie. slope, terrain, weather, and snow pack composition. When travelling through avalanche terrain, you need to be capable of identifying and assessing avalanche hazards. You need to be knowledgeable about route finding, avalanche safety and rescue in mountainous terrain. You should be properly equipped with shovels, avalanche transceivers, and probes. Choose your route and campsite locations carefully to avoid unstable slopes and hazardous avalanche terrain areas.

 

BE PREPARED. NEVER TRAVEL ALONE
LEAVE AN ITINERARY WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS

 

For additional information stop by the NPS visitor center in Skagway or call [phone]. This report is intended to stress the changing trail conditions only and will not substitute for the essential information found in other brochures and your own common sense. For online information, visit our Chilkoot Trail page.

 

At the end of May park rangers begin marking the snowy route up Long Hill and the Golden Stairs.

NPS photo