Dail Peak

Distance: 8 km
Elevation Gain: 1272 m (4173 ft)
Time: 6.5 hours 		Date Added: July 26, 2010
Last Update: July 26, 2010



Dail Peak, named after miner George Dail, offers sweeping views down the Klondike Highway above Windy Arm of Tagish Lake. It is connected via a ridge system to Mt. Matheson and eventually to Montana Mountain. It is the home of numerous Dall sheep and mountain goats. From the top of the ridge, there are tremendous views of the entire surrounding area for miles around.

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Driving Directions

Drive south on the South Klondike Highway towards Skagway. After 25 km from Carcross there is a pullout on the right side of the highway with a yellow gate and a road that leads up the mountain side. Just before the pullout there are old mining structures along the highway. Park at the pullout with the yellow gate.


Trail Description

Start up the old mining road and skirt around the yellow gate. Follow the road as it climbs parallel to the highway. At the first fork in the road, where going straight would descend, take a left uphill. You will soon come to some mining relics and a small clearning. Walk straight to the very end of the clearing where a less established trail climbs upwards.

Follow the trail, which may have pipes and tubings running towards the gulley. The trail stops at the gulley. Make your way upwards from here along the goat trail along the ridge. You will follow this ridge for quite a ways up.

Shortly you will come to a small rock face on the ridge which you can either climb straight up or skirt around the right side. You will pass through some stunted trees which should have goat paths leading through them. Higher up, look for a somewhat worn goat trail that will cut across your trail. Follow this goat trail to the left (south) as it heads towards Dail Peak. At any time now, pick your way up the open hillside to the top of the ridge. At the top of the ridge, you will overlook a high plateau which is connected to Montana Mountain.

Make your way to the left (south) up the rocky section which will feel like a small false summit. From here, continue along the ridge to the base of Dail Peak. The ridge is broad and has some knarly rock formations on the east side (your left). It is a short walk up to the summit from here.

Follow the same trail back. Do not be tempted to descend one of the other gulleys, even though they may look safe and more direct. About three quarters of the way down these gulleys, there is a sheer cliff and waterfalls, which will force you to hike frustratingly back up the way you just came down. It may look promising from the top of the ridge, but will actually take you longer and require a lot of bushwacking if you attempt it.

Have these directions changed? We invite you to let us know.


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Yukon Hiking
October 8, 2011 08:01 PM
The snowline was at the top of the plateau today, just before the top ridge. Snow pockets were up to 12 inches deep, but the average snow depth was only a couple of inches. There were a lot of goats on the surrounding ridges.