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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

June 21, 2017

 

EMERGENCIES
U.S. Park Service Rangers and Parks Canada Wardens 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 1-907-683-2276 in the 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 $1800. Trail hikers are advised to consult their medical insurance policies before starting their hike.

 

TRAIL
The Chilkoot Trail is snow free to the top of Long Hill. Expect some wet & muddy sections on the trail particularly on the lower sections. From the top of Long Hill to Scales area are sections of snow. Golden Stairs are approx. 50% snow covered. False summit is steep and snow covered. Due to avalanche conditions LEAVE SHEEP CAMP NO LATER THAN 5A.M. From the Pass to Happy Camp expect 100% snow coverage. Happy Camp to Deep Lake expect patches of snow. Use caution in transition zones. Deep Lake to Lindeman is snow free. Snow is quickly melting and leaving some water on the trail. ( bring extra socks!!) Shelters are available at all campgrounds (except Deep Lake) for preparing meals and warming up. Increased travel times and delays can be expected under certain weather conditions and white-outs. Trekking poles highly recommended. SEE AVALANCHE WARNING.

 

WEATHER
Weather conditions above tree line change quickly and can be more extreme as elevation is gained. Rain, fog, high winds, snow and sleet can be expected any time of year. Temperatures near freezing at night at higher elevations should be anticipated. Come dressed and prepared for hypothermic environmental conditions. Snow travel and sunny days warrant sunscreen, protective hat or visor and sunglasses.

 

Explore the weather conditions for the last 24 hours at

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

See the latest conditions from a weather camera at Chilkoot Pass.

 

REGISTRATION
A permit is required to overnight on the Chilkoot Trail. Hikers are required to register and pay fees with the International Trail Center on 5th & Broadway in Skagway prior to hike. Hikers also need to show passport and fill out paperwork for Canadian Customs. Hours of operation are 8am-5pm daily.

 

AVALANCHE HAZARD
Avalanche conditions currently exist between Chilkoot Pass and Happy Camp. 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. Travel early, at first light, to avoid afternoon postholing and increased hazard for avalanche due to solar heating of the snow pack. Choose your route and campsite locations carefully to avoid unstable slopes and hazardous avalanche terrain areas.

 

BEARS
Brown and black bears are encountered frequently on the trail. Stay on the trail, travel in groups if possible. Use bear boxes for food/attractants that are located at all of the designated campgrounds, except Pleasant Camp. Pleasant Camp has a bear pole so hikers staying there will need to bring 30 feet of rope. For your safety, cook and eat at shelters to keep food smells away from your tent site. Do not leave pack unattended at any point on the trail. Pack out all garbage! Do not place wrappers and trash in wood stoves!

 

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