Feather Peak
Date Added: July 5, 2008
Last Update: August 23, 2008
An international trail of sorts - you hike from Canada and cross the border into the USA. The trail starts in the sub-alpine and follows along a creek with cascading waterfalls. Along the entire trail you can turn around and get an amazing view of the mountain scenery all around you. A glacier can even be seen from the top of the peak.
Distance: 10 km
Elevation Gain: 820 m (2690 ft)
Time: 7 hours
Directions
From Whitehorse, drive south to the Carcross Cutoff and turn right onto the Klondike Highway. After 71 km you will reach the Canadian Customs. Another 12 km past customs there is a pull-out on the right-hand side of the road. The pull-out has a lake below it.
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Description
Follow a rough trail from the pull-out down to the lake. You'll need to cross this lake, which can change depth depending on the time of year and even time of day, but shouldn't be higher than waist-deep.
There is a trail that is marked on the left side of the creek. It follows along the creek, passing a few waterfalls along the way. After ? km, the trail markings end and you must find your own route. You should head south by crossing the creek(s) and make your way to the col between the two ridges.
You will find a creek between the two ridge humps. Follow up this col, and cross the creek either at the bottom or top of the col. Make your way up to the obvious, diamond-top Feather Peak. Some scrambling is required near the peak. Depending on the time of year, you may need to walk across snow. Be carefull not to walk on any snow bridges that cross creeks, as they will surely collapse.
If you want to avoid crossing so many creeks and want to use your route-finding skills, you can start the trail by crossing the lake and hiking up the left side of the creek instead. This way, you can avoid 2 major creek crossings. Head straight up towards the saddle between the 2 ridge humps. You will have to find your own route this way, but since you are starting in the sub-alpine, trees and shrubs are too much of a problem.
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