Golden Horn

Date Added: September 16, 2008

Last Update: September 16, 2008

Golden Horn overlooks Whitehorse and is located behind Mt. Sima, the local ski hill. There is no official trail, so bushwhacking is unavoidable. The views from the top are great - you are overlooking Whitehorse, Lake Laberge, and all the mountains and lakes in the valley towards Carcross.

Distance: 8.5 km (18 km if hiking the road)

Elevation Gain: 436 m (1430 ft) (886 m from road)

Time: 5 hours (7.5 hours if hiking the road)

Directions

Drive south on the Alaska Highway from Whitehorse until you see a sign for Mt. Sima ski hill on your right. Turn here and follow the road to the Mt. Sima chalet. Continue on the road past the chalet until you can't drive any further (about 1 km).

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Description

From the parking area, you can decide whether or not to continue up the 4x4 road to the right. If your vehicle has good clearance and is 4-wheel drive, then you can attempt to drive about 4.75 km up the road to the tree-line. This will save you at least an hour or more of hiking. Otherwise, park here and walk up the road.

At the tree-line there is an information station on caribou. This is the trailhead. There are some braided trails that head straight towards Golden Horn. Follow them, always heading in the general direction of the mountain.

The trails seem to disipate shortly and you will be left to finding animal trails for the remainder of the way. At times even the animal trails will disappear and you will be left to fend for yourself against the willows. Just continue to head towards the mountain while following the path of least resistance.

The brush can be really thick at times, and you may have to march your way through it.

You have a choice or how to ascend Golden Horn - the left ridge or the right ridge are the easiest options. The right ridge has less boulders and is less steep, making it the easier option.

From the top you can follow your steps back or make a look down the opposite ridge. However, eventually you will want to find the same trail back - unless you weren't lucky enough to find a trail and had to bushwhack the whole way!