Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory of Canada provides good hiking and backpacking opportunities. We stayed in Haines Junction at the Fas Gas RV Park to access this sourthern portion of the park. Earlier this trip we stayed and hiked in the northern section. We day hiked four trails in the southern part of the park: Dezadeash River Trail, Rock Glacier Trail, St. Elias Lake Trail and King’s Throne Trail. We were here around early September and had many rainy and overcast days for our visit. The high temperatures averaged in the mid 50’s. With layered clothing and waterproof jackets, we were still able to get out and enjoy the trails.
Dezadeash River Trail: This relatively easy lollipop trail is located at the southern end of Haines Junction off of the Haines Highway just before the bridge over the Dezadeash River. It is 3 miles roundtrip with only 50’ elevation change. This is a popular and well maintained trail which travels briefly along the river before heading through wetlands via boardwalks and boreal forest. The trail is well maintained and includes sections of wood chips, boardwalk and packed dirt surfaces. The trail then travels though a boreal forest for the loop section. This trail is within walking distance of many town lodging options, but there is also a parking lot.
Dezadeash River Trail travels through boreal forest
View from the Dezadeash River Trail
Some illustrator made this unusually gruesome (for an interpretive trail) drawing showing a hawk killing a warbler, including the drop of blood on the beak
Rock Glacier Trail: This short 1-2 mile trail (length dependent upon turnaround location) is quite steep with 400’ elevation gain within the first 1/2 mile. Due to it’s steepness and sections walking on loose rocks, it is rated moderate by the park service. The trailhead is located 27.4 miles south of Haines Junction. There is a large parking area at the trailhead, but no facilities. The trail quickly climbs uphill toward the rock glacier varying between packed dirt, boardwalk and steps, and finally loose rocks. Once up on the rocky section, the views of nearby Lake Dezadeash and surrounding mountains open up. There are several interpretive panels along the trail with information about rock glaciers, which are formed when a glacier moves through a valley and the ice core melts leaving behind the rocks that were ground off of mountains along its path. There is an observation area at the lower turnaround. There is an optional up to a higher section of the rock glacier. We combined this hike with the St. Elias Trail.
View of the Rock Glacier from below
An early section of trail through boreal forest
Boardwalk & steps along the Rock Glacier Trail
Rock Glacier area and rocky section of trail
View of Dezadeash Lake from Rock Glacier Trail
St. Elias Lake Trail: This 4.8 mile roundtrip trail is listed as 400’ elevation gain. I am confident that number does not include all of the up sections but is merely the difference between the starting and ending points. This trail is considered moderate. The trailhead is found 37 miles south of Haines Junction. There is a large parking area with no facilities. This trail is best described as similar to a roller coaster with continuous up and down sections which varied between 10’ to 50’ in length each. The surface is packed dirt. It had rained earlier in the day and the top layer was fairly slick in spots, reminiscent of clay. The trail travels through forest and meadows before reaching St. Elias Lake. There was ample evidence of moose in the area, although we did not spot any. The fall colors were on full display when we hiked this on September 7th.
The St. Elias Lake trail travels through forest
Heading into a meadow area with willow bushes
View along the St. Elias Lake Trail
Fall colors were on display along St. Elias Lake Trail
King’s Throne Trail: One of the premier day hiking trails, listed at 6 miles roundtrip with 1800’ elevation gain. This trail starts 17 miles south of Haines Junction near the Kathleen Lake Day Use and Camping areas. This steep hike takes you up to a spectacular cirque. There is a large trailhead parking area. Two vault toilets can be found just several hundred yards down the road toward the Day Use area. The trail starts through forest and along the shore of Kathleen Lake. Watch for junction signs as there are several splits, all were labelled. After the final split of King’s Throne and Cottonwood Trail, the trail becomes increasingly steep with lots of roots to step over until climbing out of the trees. Above tree line, there are numerous trails, but try to stick to the main one. The main trail has steep switchbacks across loose rock and continues to make its way up to the cirque. As you climb, there are increasing views of Kathleen Lake and the surrounding mountains. It was rainy and overcast on the day of our hike as can be seen in our pictures. Allow plenty of time for this hike as it has very tedious foot placement and is a slow slog up the mountain. The effort is well worth the views.
The trail starts near the Camping and Day Use areas of Kathleen Lakes
The tree roots increase in frequency as you ascend
Nearby were fresh snow topped mountains
View of the trail, Kathleen Lake, and the surrounding area
Scree surface on the upper section
Another view of the trail, Kathleen Lake, and the surrounding area
