Fraser PeakDistance: 11 km Elevation Gain: 949 m (3114 ft) Time: 5 hours Difficulty: Difficult Region: White Pass |
Date Added: August 5, 2012
Last Update: May 1, 2013 Winter:  Tweet |
Fraser Peak looks like a giant wedge with a rocky top from the highway at Canada Customs. The hike to the summit is fairly moderate, with a few steep, scrambling sections. The expansive view from the top includes numerous glaciers, towering peaks down the White Pass, and the beautiful lakes and the unique moonscape terrain in this area.
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Scroll below photos for Driving Directions and Trail Description.
Photos
Fraser Peak, as seen from the parking area.
The start of the trail up the old road.
The gate at the intersection of the two roads.
The wildflower-lined road, leading towards Fraser Lake.
Either cross the creek on the 'bridge', or through the water at this spot.
Navigate through the meadows and small lakes to the lowest point on the ridge.
There are quite a few small tarns (alpine lakes) on the way up.
The lower section of the mountain is a mix of boulders and alpine meadow.
Hiking up, with a view down towards the moonscape terrain.
The terrain starts to turn rocky on the upper section of the route.
A view down the White Pass. You can take advantage of the snow, as long as you are comfortable walking up it.
The summit is fairly flat and safe.
The hanging glacier on Taiya Peak.
Looking west towards the Chilkoot Trail, with the pass above Fraser Lake on the right.
The view down the ridge, with Fraser Lake at the bottom.
Winter
The view of Fraser Peak from the Canadian Customs Office in the winter.
The view of Fraser Peak and the south ridge (left) from the winter trailhead.
The ski up with a view south down the White Pass towards Summit Creek Hill and the peaks of the White Pass.
Approaching the bowl and heading to the south ridge.
Climbing the final part of the ridge to the saddle on the south ridge.
The view from the saddle looking west towards Taiya Peak (back, left).
Admiring the view of Fraser Peak from the saddle of the south ridge.
Enjoying the ski down with views looking northeast towards Log Cabin Mountain and Bernard, Shallow and Maud lakes.
Driving Directions
From Whitehorse, drive south on the Alaska Highway to the Carcross Cutoff and turn right onto the South Klondike Highway. After 120 kms on the South Klondike Highway, you will reach Canada Customs. About 1 km after Customs, there is a large parking area on the left side of the highway - park here. The trailhead is on the other side of the highway, about 100 meters back towards Customs.
If you do not have a passport to cross back into Canada, or do not wish to cross the border, take a right on the road immediately before Customs. Follow this road to the end and park near a large highway maintenance garage and gravel pit area. Pick up a trail in the northwestern part of the open gravel area which leads to an old road. Follow this road to the west for about 900 m until you reach a large metal gate (see trail description below).
If you do not have a passport to cross back into Canada, or do not wish to cross the border, take a right on the road immediately before Customs. Follow this road to the end and park near a large highway maintenance garage and gravel pit area. Pick up a trail in the northwestern part of the open gravel area which leads to an old road. Follow this road to the west for about 900 m until you reach a large metal gate (see trail description below).
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Trail Description
The trail starts in the trees along a fairly wide old road with gradual elevation gain. After about 600 m, you will be at the intersection of another road. Turn left and continue along the road, walking around a metal gate, which is locked during the summer to stop people from driving in the area in order to protect important caribou habitat. The road continues to the east end of Fraser Lake (officially named Bryant Lake).
As you walk on the road, you will notice a large creek on your left - don't worry, there is a 'bridge' across the creek. The bridge is 1.5 kms down the road from the gate and is quite narrow, not very level, and has no handrails. That's because the 'bridge' is actually just wooden housing around a pipe, so if you are uncomfortable walking across it, this is also the best spot to cross on foot, as the creek is quite shallow and slower moving here.
Immediately after crossing the creek at this spot, head up the meadow to your left, towards the side of the large mountain. You will start by easily walking through a beautiful meadow surrounded with numerous small creeks and alpine tarns. Head straight towards the lowest part of the ridge ahead of you that will lead up Fraser Peak, and climb straight up to gain access to the ridge. This part is a little steep, but quite short.
Once on the ridge, the terrain is a mix of large boulders, rocky gullies, snow and small tarns. It is best to avoid the very edge of the ridge at first so you don't have to walk up and down the steeper rocky crests on the ridge. You want to stay near the north side of the ridge, but not right at the edge until closer to the summit.
Pick your way up through the boulders, meadows, and tarns, aiming for the right (north) side of the main rocky peak. There is a fair bit of scrambling and boulder hopping required along the way. If there is any snow still around, you can use it to your advantage in order to avoid walking on the rocks and boulders. Be careful on any steep sections of snow, because slipping would mean a slide down into the unforgiving rocks. If there is a lot of snow still present, a mountaineering axe would be handy or at least hiking poles.
Near the top, you will have to navigate up to the summit on the rocks and may have to use your hands to scramble for a short time. This section is over quickly, and you will soon be at the summit of Fraser Peak. The summit is fairly flat and open. Marvel at all the glaciers to the west above the Chilkoot Trail. The closest mountain to the west is Taiya Peak, with it's beautiful hanging glacier. Far below you to the right is Fraser Lake, and following the valley to the pass at the end would lead you to Crater Lake and the Chilkoot Trail. You can see all the way down the White Pass and South Klondike Highway towards Feather Peak, Mount Cleveland, Mount Carmack, the Sawtooth Range, Laughton Glacier, and more.
Follow the same route back down. There is a wider couloir that leads directly from the summit all the way to the bottom at Fraser Lake. Unless you brought skis or a mountaineering axe with you, it is safer to follow the same route back down. Each to their own!
As you walk on the road, you will notice a large creek on your left - don't worry, there is a 'bridge' across the creek. The bridge is 1.5 kms down the road from the gate and is quite narrow, not very level, and has no handrails. That's because the 'bridge' is actually just wooden housing around a pipe, so if you are uncomfortable walking across it, this is also the best spot to cross on foot, as the creek is quite shallow and slower moving here.
Immediately after crossing the creek at this spot, head up the meadow to your left, towards the side of the large mountain. You will start by easily walking through a beautiful meadow surrounded with numerous small creeks and alpine tarns. Head straight towards the lowest part of the ridge ahead of you that will lead up Fraser Peak, and climb straight up to gain access to the ridge. This part is a little steep, but quite short.
Once on the ridge, the terrain is a mix of large boulders, rocky gullies, snow and small tarns. It is best to avoid the very edge of the ridge at first so you don't have to walk up and down the steeper rocky crests on the ridge. You want to stay near the north side of the ridge, but not right at the edge until closer to the summit.
Pick your way up through the boulders, meadows, and tarns, aiming for the right (north) side of the main rocky peak. There is a fair bit of scrambling and boulder hopping required along the way. If there is any snow still around, you can use it to your advantage in order to avoid walking on the rocks and boulders. Be careful on any steep sections of snow, because slipping would mean a slide down into the unforgiving rocks. If there is a lot of snow still present, a mountaineering axe would be handy or at least hiking poles.
Near the top, you will have to navigate up to the summit on the rocks and may have to use your hands to scramble for a short time. This section is over quickly, and you will soon be at the summit of Fraser Peak. The summit is fairly flat and open. Marvel at all the glaciers to the west above the Chilkoot Trail. The closest mountain to the west is Taiya Peak, with it's beautiful hanging glacier. Far below you to the right is Fraser Lake, and following the valley to the pass at the end would lead you to Crater Lake and the Chilkoot Trail. You can see all the way down the White Pass and South Klondike Highway towards Feather Peak, Mount Cleveland, Mount Carmack, the Sawtooth Range, Laughton Glacier, and more.
Follow the same route back down. There is a wider couloir that leads directly from the summit all the way to the bottom at Fraser Lake. Unless you brought skis or a mountaineering axe with you, it is safer to follow the same route back down. Each to their own!
Winter
Fraser Peak is a great winter destination for backcountry skiing and splitboarding. The area offers a range of options for various skill levels. The route described here is different from the summer route, as it accesses the south ridge of the peak, and is suitable for beginner to intermediate skiers/riders.
South Ridge
This winter route is best accessed directly from the highway, 4 km south of the Canada Customs Building. There is a small pullout on the left. From the trailhead follow a small drainage uphill towards the southeast. The landscape is somewhat rolling with many small ridges and gullies. Follow the natural ridgelines as you continue gradually uphill, angling slightly to the east and eventually northeast in order to avoid a large gully draining towards the southeast. Continue northeast till you reach the top of a rocky lip, where you'll have to drop down to a small plateau at approximately 1260 m elevation. Snowmobilers often use this plateau to travel between the Fraser customs area and the Summit Creek area. There are small tarn lakes here in the late summer.
Countinue up to the east as you cross below a large bowl and head towards a subtle rocky ridgeline leading to the southern side of the Fraser Peak Summit. Follow this ridgeline up as high as you like, or at least until you can get a good view of the back side of Fraser Peak. Descend the line you came up.
South Ridge
2.5 hours and 713 m elevation gain
This winter route is best accessed directly from the highway, 4 km south of the Canada Customs Building. There is a small pullout on the left. From the trailhead follow a small drainage uphill towards the southeast. The landscape is somewhat rolling with many small ridges and gullies. Follow the natural ridgelines as you continue gradually uphill, angling slightly to the east and eventually northeast in order to avoid a large gully draining towards the southeast. Continue northeast till you reach the top of a rocky lip, where you'll have to drop down to a small plateau at approximately 1260 m elevation. Snowmobilers often use this plateau to travel between the Fraser customs area and the Summit Creek area. There are small tarn lakes here in the late summer.
Countinue up to the east as you cross below a large bowl and head towards a subtle rocky ridgeline leading to the southern side of the Fraser Peak Summit. Follow this ridgeline up as high as you like, or at least until you can get a good view of the back side of Fraser Peak. Descend the line you came up.
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