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Feather Peak Distance: 10 km Elevation Gain: 820 m (2690 ft) Time: 7 hours Difficulty: Difficult

Date Added: July 5, 2008 Last Update: November 13, 2011 Winter:

This route starts in the sub-alpine and follows along a creek with cascading waterfalls. Along the entire trail you get an amazing view of the mountain scenery all around you. The peak is rocky and feels like a true summit. Feather Peak is also a great area for a range of winter activities.

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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.


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 right side of the creek. It follows along the creek, passing a few waterfalls along the way. After 2 kms, 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 aren't too much of a problem.

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


Feather Peak is a favorite destination in the winter for skiiers, snowboarders, and snowshoers. There is often a trail leading from the parking area up the mountain, packed down from both people and snowmobiles. On powder days, you have to break your own trail, and then reap the rewards!

The winter trail is different than the summer trail. You can head straight up to the notch from the parking area because there is no creek to worry about. Above the notch, you can continue up to the peak, or stay to the right and continue along the flat section below Feather Peak to explore behind it.

Snowshoeing - If you don't mind a little uphill, there is a lot of terrain to explore on snowshoes here. If you have the energy (and daylight hours), you can reach the summit of Feather Peak. Otherwise you can snowshoe up as far as you like and soak in the vistas.

Nordic Ski Touring - There are a few steeper sections which may require you to remove your skis and walk with your boots, but otherwise you can tour around the area. If you ski above the notch (the narrow chute you can see from the parking area), you can continue along past the right (north) side of Feather Peak and look over the valley from above the Chilkoot Trail.

Alpine Ski Touring / Splitboarding - The area between Feather Peak and the connecting peak behind it to the north-west is a great place to get some downhill turns. It takes roughly 3 hours to get to the top, and then you can ski up and down the bowl from there. To get to the saddle, first ski up to the notch in the saddle that you can see from the highway. Then continue along the flat section to the right (north) of Feather Peak. At the end of the flat section, you will start to climb gradually. Stay to your left along the side of Feather Peak. A large bowl will open up and you can cut left (south-west) up to the saddle between Feather Peak and the peak behind it. You can ski down from the saddle, or climb a little higher on the connecting peak.


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