Chilkoot Trail Conditions Report

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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

 

CHILKOOT TRAIL REPORT

Spring 2021

 

Trail and Border Closure

The US portion of the Chilkoot Trail remains open for day use and overnight use. Registration is required for overnight use (see below).

The border with Canada is currently closed to non-essential travel. Cross-border travel for recreation is strictly prohibited and may result in arrest, fines and a future prohibition from entering Canada.

 

Registration

A permit is required to overnight on the Chilkoot Trail. Hikers are required to register and pay fees with the Trail Center on 5th and Broadway in Skagway prior to hike. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm. Trail Center phone number is 907-983-9234.

 

Bears

Brown and black bears are encountered frequently along the trail. Stay on the trail and travel in groups, if possible. Use food storage lockers located at the designated camping areas. Do not cook or eat food near your campsite. Keep all scented items away from your tent site. Pack out all garbage. Do not leave backpack unattended at any point on the trail. Do not place wrappers and trash in wood stoves

 

Emergencies

U.S. Park Service Rangers are on patrol. 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 1-907-683-6351. Bad weather conditions may delay medical or rescue assistance for several days. Helicopter medical evacuations from the trail will cost a minimum of $1800. Trail hikers are advices to consult their medical insurance policies before starting their hike.

 

Trail

The Chilkoot Trail is snow free until approx. 1 mile north of Sheep Camp. Lower sections of the trail may be a bit wet and muddy. The current snow conditions are rotten and soft. Post-holing may be an issue. Use caution in transition zones. Trekking poles are highly recommended. If hiking up towards the Pass we recommend travelling early while the snow is more firm.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic masks are required inside all federal buildings, including warming shelters, and outdoors when 6' distances cannot be maintained. Restrooms along the trail are not cleaned daily. Please bring your own hand sanitizer and toilet paper and practice good hygiene.

 

Weather

 

Explore the weather conditions for the last 24 hours at

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

 

Chilkoot Pass South View 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

Status: Inactive

 

Chilkoot Pass North View Webcam

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

View Webcam

Status: Inactive

 

Avalanche Hazard

Due to the high amount of snow in the high-country avalanche risk is high. Avalanche conditions exist between Sheep Camp and the Canadian border. 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 and know how to use them. Choose your route and campsite locations carefully to avoid unstable slopes and hazardous avalanche terrain areas.

 

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

For additional information stop by the NPS Trail Center (Broadway, north of 4th Ave) 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 hiking page.

 

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

NPS