Sheep Creek

Distance: 15 km
Elevation Gain: 1100 m (3609 ft)
Time: 6.5 hours

Date Added: July 27, 2008
Last Update: May 22, 2011
Winter: ski touring

A great hike which offers views of the Slims river valley, Kluane Lake, and the mountains around the area. Sheep and grizzlies can often be sighted in the area, so bring binoculars to view them from a distance. If you decide not to hike the ridge to the first summit viewpoint, then the total distance is 10 km. However, the view from the top of the ridge overlooking Kluane Lake is spectacular. See Sheep Mountain for the trail up the north ridge of the mountain.

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Driving Directions

From Haines Junction, continue on the Alaska Highway for about 70 km until you cross a bridge and see the Kluane National Park visitor's center. Immediately after the visitor's center, make a left onto Sheep Creek road. Follow this gravel road for about 2.5 km until you reach the parking spot.

Trail Description

Walk up the trail until you reach the first intersection. Follow the trail on the right with the trailhead marker. You will continue to climb through the forest and soon reach some nice viewpoints. At the 4 km mark, hoodoos will appear on the side of the mountain. Continue to the 5 km mark for a view of the surrounding valley.

If you are not going to climb the ridge, this is a good turn-around point. If you decide to climb the ridge to the first summit with a view of Kluane Lake, then follow the rough footpath up the ridge for 2.5 km.

You can continue to follow the ridge from the first summit and even do a loop down the Sheep Mountain trail if you feel like [If you are doing a loop, it is recommended to do it in reverse and descend down the Sheep Creek trail]. Otherwise, you can turn around and follow your same route down to the trailhead.

Up the ridge, you can usually sight sheep, so bring your binoculars. Grizzlies roam the area, so make sure you make noise so that you don't suprise them.

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