Mount Lorne
Date Added: June 29, 2008
Last Update: August 23, 2008
When you drive south of Whitehorse, you can't miss this formidable mountain looming in the distance. Mount Lorne offers views of Whitehorse, Grey Mountain, Marsh Lake, Bennett Lake, McConnell Lake, Cowley Lakes, and snowy peaks across the Klondike highway.
Distance: 19 km
Elevation Gain: 1200 m (3937 ft)
Time: 7 hours
Directions
From Whitehorse, drive south to the Carcross Cutoff and turn right onto the Klondike Highway. Drive south for about 18 km. Bear Creek is 2 km past the Annie Lake Road turnoff. There is a parking spot immediately after Bear Creek on the left side of the highway.
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Description
The trailhead is on the other side of Bear Creek from where you parked (the north side). The trail starts by following Bear Creek for 50 m and then tucks into the trees. Very soon there is a 'T' juntion in the path - turn right, as left leads to a house.
The trail will follow beside Bear Creek for about 1 km and then it turns off into the trees. The path wanders through dark spruce trees, and is lined with soft yellow-green moss and wildflowers. After 5.5 km from the trailhead, you will reach an old trapper's cabin. Up until here, the trail has a relatively moderate elevation gain and is wide and easy to follow.
Once a the cabin, stop for a view of the valley below. Then, leave the wide main trail and look for a narrow path behind the cabin in the trees which climbs steeply upwards. You will soon leave the trees and be surrounded with waist high birch and willow shrubs. The path is hard to follow at times, but will eventually make its way to the top of the ridge.
The top of the treeless ridge is a nice viewpoint. Follow this ridge right up to the first summit which is identifiable by its black, rocky surface. The first summit is steep and requires some scrambling. The easiest route to the top is around the left side of the peak.
Soak in the views of Whitehorse and Grey Mountain to the north. Marsh Lake is to the east. To the west is McConnell Lake and many snowy peaks. To the south is Lake Bennett and the other peaks of Mount Lorne.
Follow the same route back to the trailhead. There is a trail that continues over the other peaks of Mount Lorne all the way to the other ridge. It continues along the ridges and then descends into the trees. This route will eventually loop back onto the main trail. Route-finding skills are advised and bushwhacking is required if you decide to take this route. The minimum length of time would be about 10 hours.
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