Chilkoot Trail Conditions Report

 

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

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

 

CHILKOOT TRAIL REPORT

February 2024

Chilkoot Trail on the U.S. side of the border will be open to mile 4.0 for the 2024 season. Work completed by the park last year and this spring will extend the amount of trail that will be open to the public this summer.

With the new section of trail open as far as mile 4.0, visitors should have about a 7-hour roundtrip day-use experience this summer. Additional work both on the trail and with local landowners is needed before the park can allow the public to access the entire length of the Chilkoot Trail to the Canadian border.

The portion of the trail in Canada will be accessible. Reservations are required to hike the Canadian side of the Chilkoot Trail which will open between June 1 and September 13. Call Parks Canada starting March 27 at 1-800-661-0486 to make your reservation.

Contact the Trail Center in Skagway (907-983-9234) for the latest trail information.

 

 

Registration

When the trail is open, hikers are strongly encouraged to record planned hiking itineraries for the trail at the National Park Service Trail Center on 5th and Broadway. There is no permit fee when the trail is open during the winter. Call the Trail Center at 907-983-9234 if you have any questions.

The International Trail Center will open late spring 2024 and permit fees will begin at that time.

 

Bears

Brown and black bears are encountered frequently along the trail and can be active March through November. Travel in groups, if possible. Use food storage lockers that are located at all the designated camping areas. Do not cook or eat food near your campsite. Keep all scented items away from your tent site. Do not leave your pack unattended. Inspect your campsite when you are ready to leave to ensure that no garbage, food or personal belongings are left behind. Pack out all garbage. Do not place wrappers and trash in the wood stoves.

 

Emergencies

U.S. Park Service Rangers will not be on patrol until late Spring 2024. 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 in US. 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. 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 early Spring.

 

Trail

Chilkoot Trail on the U.S. side of the border will be open to mile 4.0 for the 2024 season. With the new section of trail open as far as mile 4.0, visitors should have about a 7-hour roundtrip day-use experience this summer. Additional work both on the trail and with local landowners is needed before the park can allow the public to access the entire length of the Chilkoot Trail to the Canadian border.

The portion of the trail in Canada will be accessible. Reservations are required to hike the Canadian side of the Chilkoot Trail which will open between June 1 and September 13. Call Parks Canada starting March 27 at 1-800-661-0486 to make your reservation.

 

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 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

Avalanche conditions currently exist north of Pleasant Camp. Avalanches 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 post-holing 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.

 

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