Sheep CreekDistance: 15 km Elevation Gain: 1100 m (3609 ft) Time: 6.5 hours Difficulty: Moderate Region: Kluane |
Date Added: July 27, 2008
Last Update: May 22, 2011 Winter:   Tweet |
A classic Kluane Park hike which offers views of the Slim's 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 (return). 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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Scroll below photos for Driving Directions and Trail Description.
Photos
Hoodoos protruding from the side of the mountain at the 4km mark.
The 5 km mark. This is a popular turn-around spot unless you intend on climbing up the ridge.
Taking a peek of Sheep Creek down below in the valley.
Lunch break with a splendid view.
Looking up the valley following Sheep Creek.
Red Castle ridge.
Dwarf Fireweed in bloom.
Slims River valley leading into Kaskawulsh Glacier.
Looking at sheep from the top of the first summit.
Looking down on Kluane Lake and the National Park visitor's centre.
Looking across the Slims River.
The ridge from the 5 km marker up to the first summit.
Driving Directions
From Haines Junction, continue on the Alaska Highway north for about 70 km until you cross a bridge and see the Thachal Dhal (Sheep Mountain) Visitor Center. Immediately after the visitor center, make a left onto Sheep Creek Road. Follow this gravel road for about 2.5 km until you reach the parking lot and trailhead.
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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 Sheep Mountain. Continue to the 5 km mark for a view of the surrounding mountains and down the Slims River (A'ay Chu) to the Kaskawulsh Glacier.
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 have enery and time [If you are doing a loop, it is recommended to do it in reverse and descend down the Sheep Creek trail. Note two vehicles would be required]. Otherwise, you can turn around and follow your same route down to the trailhead.
Up the ridge, you can usually spot sheep, so bring your binoculars. Grizzlies roam the area, so make sure you make noise so that you don't surprise them.
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 have enery and time [If you are doing a loop, it is recommended to do it in reverse and descend down the Sheep Creek trail. Note two vehicles would be required]. Otherwise, you can turn around and follow your same route down to the trailhead.
Up the ridge, you can usually spot sheep, so bring your binoculars. Grizzlies roam the area, so make sure you make noise so that you don't surprise them.
Note: Overnight trips in Kluane National Park and Reserve require registration and approved bear resistant food canisters. Please visit the Park's website for details.
Comments / Trip Reports
D. Schmidt
September 11, 2019
28 Aug 2019
Intended to hike up Observation Mtn at the end of Slims West, but felt a bit tuckered from a hike the day prior. This gave me the opportunity to still see the Kuskawulsh glacier, without trudging through the mud of Slims West. Trek is as per all other descriptions here, which are spot-on. As well, cell reception is great at the summit since there is a repeater next peak over.
This post is to warn of amendments to the Kluane Recreation Guide maps issued by Parks Canada (2019 edition, poster size, handed out at the visitor centers). See photo of map inset. Trail number "2" is sheep creek as described here; Route "B", called Thechal Dhal Ridge, is listed as a "loop", coming down the east ridge from the summit back to the highway. However, a supplemental trail guide for Sheep Creek clearly identifies this descent as closed due to environmental concerns, with return to the trailhead via the same rte (Sheep Creek tr). I found out about the closure by chance, shattering my plans on the rocks of despair. Someone made a stone pointer-arrow at the first summit indicating the way down. Check with the parks office for current info before scree-running down the slopes. Ask, they may forget to mention it. Oh, and the office at the base closes at 4pm, not at 7 like the one in Haines Jct. Plan accordingly if you're intending to register for back-country after coming off Sheep Ck.
Intended to hike up Observation Mtn at the end of Slims West, but felt a bit tuckered from a hike the day prior. This gave me the opportunity to still see the Kuskawulsh glacier, without trudging through the mud of Slims West. Trek is as per all other descriptions here, which are spot-on. As well, cell reception is great at the summit since there is a repeater next peak over.
This post is to warn of amendments to the Kluane Recreation Guide maps issued by Parks Canada (2019 edition, poster size, handed out at the visitor centers). See photo of map inset. Trail number "2" is sheep creek as described here; Route "B", called Thechal Dhal Ridge, is listed as a "loop", coming down the east ridge from the summit back to the highway. However, a supplemental trail guide for Sheep Creek clearly identifies this descent as closed due to environmental concerns, with return to the trailhead via the same rte (Sheep Creek tr). I found out about the closure by chance, shattering my plans on the rocks of despair. Someone made a stone pointer-arrow at the first summit indicating the way down. Check with the parks office for current info before scree-running down the slopes. Ask, they may forget to mention it. Oh, and the office at the base closes at 4pm, not at 7 like the one in Haines Jct. Plan accordingly if you're intending to register for back-country after coming off Sheep Ck.
Sandrine et Sevan
August 14, 2019
Awesome trail today, definitely worth the hike. We were a little bit worried once we got at The Visitor Center because of the poster about a curious bear spotted in the area on the 6th of August. The staff at the front desk reassured us that a group of two people would be safe enough. also that there were many people on the trail. We got to the 5km mark without problems, the View was beautiful. but once we tried going farther we saw multiple areas where the grass had been turned upside down by the bears. Even though these signs of bear activity did not seem recent (because the grass was dried up), the intensification of the signs on the path, plus the fact that most other visitors had turned around at the 5km Mark (we felt all alone in there) had us turn around in a few hundred metres. Otherwise we felt safe on the rest of the trail and it was worth it! You just gotta be loud lol
Laurie S
June 12, 2019
Awesome day! Clouds started to roll in mid-afternoon but good weather otherwise.
No signs of animals but there are lots of animal paths so they are around!
Beautiful area!
No signs of animals but there are lots of animal paths so they are around!
Beautiful area!
Luke m
April 30, 2019
Hike to the 5km marker. This hike was worth the trip with its views! Did see signs of bear and big cat on trail but the tracks and skat were a few days old!
Sara D.
March 29, 2019
Great hike! Hiked this on March 24th, 2019.
We didn't hike the entire way because of time constraints but the view was still amazing. The gate was locked so we had to walk from there to the trail head (4 km). I think we only hiked to the first viewpoint. After that there was too much snow and snowshoes would be needed. The trail was pretty muddy and a bit icy the entire way. A ram and about 8 sheep were at the viewpoint though!
We didn't hike the entire way because of time constraints but the view was still amazing. The gate was locked so we had to walk from there to the trail head (4 km). I think we only hiked to the first viewpoint. After that there was too much snow and snowshoes would be needed. The trail was pretty muddy and a bit icy the entire way. A ram and about 8 sheep were at the viewpoint though!
Kyle
September 20, 2018
Hiked on Septembre 19,
Great hike that offers something for everyone.
If you want to just do the 2km it is still well worth it. At the 2km marker there is a herd of sheep waiting for you there and sweeping views of Slim's river.
If you continue to the 5km marker you enter the heart of the mountains, which at the moment is a panorama of fall colours surrounding you. You also can see and hear the creek between the mountains, however you do go away from the water views.
From here if you continue to the summit the hike starts to get much harder. It is a steep climb to the summit but well worth it. You get the views of Slim's river again and sheep are seen close to the summit and at the summit. Some snow now at the summit when I went. A herd of sheep waiting for me at the summit, you get great views of the start of Kluane lake and Slim's river beside it as well as a tremendous amount of mountains all around you.
Total distance for me was 20km.
Time to ascend was 2 hours.
Descent 1:05 hours.
And 45mins at the summit (lunch and rest)
9 stars out of 10 for this hike
Great hike that offers something for everyone.
If you want to just do the 2km it is still well worth it. At the 2km marker there is a herd of sheep waiting for you there and sweeping views of Slim's river.
If you continue to the 5km marker you enter the heart of the mountains, which at the moment is a panorama of fall colours surrounding you. You also can see and hear the creek between the mountains, however you do go away from the water views.
From here if you continue to the summit the hike starts to get much harder. It is a steep climb to the summit but well worth it. You get the views of Slim's river again and sheep are seen close to the summit and at the summit. Some snow now at the summit when I went. A herd of sheep waiting for me at the summit, you get great views of the start of Kluane lake and Slim's river beside it as well as a tremendous amount of mountains all around you.
Total distance for me was 20km.
Time to ascend was 2 hours.
Descent 1:05 hours.
And 45mins at the summit (lunch and rest)
9 stars out of 10 for this hike
Angela
July 4, 2018
Hiked this on June 25. When our plans for a 3-day down Slim's fell through, we were recommended this as an alternative (a Parks' staff noted that though they had an advisory to travel in groups of 4 in most of the area due to grizzly activity, this hike tends to be busy enough that it wouldn't be an issue).
Straight forward hike up a well-trod trail, with terrific views most of the way (as others have mentioned, if you're in a rush, the first viewpoint could easily be your turnaround point). We continued past the end point and up to the ridge which was good fun. It was a windy day - the trail was dusty and were able to see a bit of a sandstorm through the valley into Kluane Lake.
No bear or sheep sightings.
Straight forward hike up a well-trod trail, with terrific views most of the way (as others have mentioned, if you're in a rush, the first viewpoint could easily be your turnaround point). We continued past the end point and up to the ridge which was good fun. It was a windy day - the trail was dusty and were able to see a bit of a sandstorm through the valley into Kluane Lake.
No bear or sheep sightings.
Dee
July 31, 2017
Hiked up on July 29 to the 5km viewpoint. Beautiful views all the way, especially between the 3.8km and 5km lookout. 4 hours total, with lots of stops for photos. Hike isn't too steep, but is a climb most of the way up. Would highly recommend this hike!
No sheep or bear sightings, although it was quite a busy day on the trail.
No sheep or bear sightings, although it was quite a busy day on the trail.
Ralph Boardman
July 23, 2016
Hiked up to the 5 km mark in cloudy, often drizzly conditions. The trail was a bit slippery in spots because of that, especially beyond the 3.8 km marker where it narrows quite a bit. The herd of Dall sheep were very obvious on the slope just above the starting point but moved off up the mountain and out of sight as we watched. Did not see them again on the hike but did startle a crossfox on the way down.
Andreas Lazda
August 15, 2015
Did this on a mostly overcast day (Aug 1, 2015) - still got some views of the Glacier in the distance.
Only went as far as the 5km marker, which in itelf doesn't provide any great views so I would say either go further, or stop and turn back after the first, great viewpoint at roughly 2km.
Did see a herd of ~20 Dall Sheep from the trailhead parking lot, on the slope above, but by the time we hiked to a closer point on the trail they had moved off.
Only went as far as the 5km marker, which in itelf doesn't provide any great views so I would say either go further, or stop and turn back after the first, great viewpoint at roughly 2km.
Did see a herd of ~20 Dall Sheep from the trailhead parking lot, on the slope above, but by the time we hiked to a closer point on the trail they had moved off.
Wei Dong Qi
August 4, 2015
We hiked up to first stop at 5km mark and continue to walk up the hill. Very nice to view the mountains and ice field. We spent about 7 hours on the trail. We didn't meet any sheep and bear.
Karen
May 31, 2015
We hiked up to the 5km mark over the May long weekend. We started just after lunch and made it back just before the winds picked up and started to sweep sand over the valley. There were fresh grizzly prints in the mud up to the trailhead, and we spotted a few more on the way down that were over our tracks from the climb up. Views at the top are incredible. Saw a number of sheep too.
Melissa
July 14, 2014
Hikes this trail yesterday with the family. Very nice day; not too buggy, lots of sunshine and plenty of other people on the trail. There were some really great places to stop and let the little guy out of the pack to stretch his legs.
David Raithby
September 4, 2012
Hiked Sheep Creek on a windy August day. Very popular hike that day and wonderful view up the Slims river.
Marko Marjanovic
May 30, 2012
We hiked Sheep Creek trail up to the 5km viewpoint last week (May 17th). The trail was dry and snow free. We saw dozens of sheep along the way and had a clear view all the way down to the Kaskawulsh Glacier.
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Have you been to Sheep Creek lately?