6-Day Bock’s Lake to Congdon Creek Backpacking Expedition | Kluane National Park
6-Day Bock’s Lake to Congdon Creek Backpacking Expedition | Kluane National Park
A remote fully guided backpacking traverse through Kluane National Park — moving off-trail across valleys, rivers, and alpine terrain
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EXPEDITION LOG
A Yusquatch favourite, now added to the lineup
A wild Kluane traverse through big valleys and true backcountry terrain
Departure Dates
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August 1, 2026
Book this date
You will be redirected to our secure Square checkout to pay your 25% deposit. This confirms your spot. The remaining balance is due 30 days before departure. A confirmation email with trip details and a packing list will follow.
Over 6 days, we head deep into Kluane National Park in the Yukon on a fully guided backpacking traverse from Bock’s Lake to Congdon Creek, through a remote section of the park where trails quickly disappear and the landscape opens wide.
This is not a classic hike. It’s a route, shaped by terrain, conditions, and the team moving through it together.
Kluane National Park is home to Canada’s highest peaks and massive icefields. This traverse brings us into a lesser traveled part of the park, where we experience that same scale up close, moving through wide valleys and rugged terrain on foot. The landscapes here are just as striking, just quieter, and it’s one of those routes we keep coming back to and love to share.
We start with a full preparation day, making our way from Whitehorse to Kluane Lake. Here, we take the time to dial everything in — sorting gear, packing food, and going through a thorough briefing so everyone feels confident before stepping into the backcountry.
From there, we’re dropped off near the Alaska Highway and begin our journey into the mountains. The approach to Bock’s Lake already pulls us far from the outside world, but once we arrive, it hits differently. The water is an unreal shade of blue, backed by steep mountains, and it feels like a proper gateway into the days ahead.
Beyond Bock’s Lake, the route opens into wide glacial valleys, alpine terrain, and remote backcountry where there is no set trail to follow. We cross creeks, navigate varied terrain, and adapt to conditions as a team.
This is a true traverse, starting and finishing at different points along the Alaska Highway. No backtracking, just forward.
This area is known for its wildlife, and chances are high we’ll come across signs of it or even spot animals in the distance. Grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, and marmots all move through this terrain, and part of the experience is learning how to travel respectfully through their environment.
Evenings are spent setting up camp out in the backcountry, wherever the terrain allows. No designated sites, just finding the right spot, cooking together, sharing stories, and watching the light shift over the mountains.
By the time we reach Congdon Creek and make our way back to the Alaska Highway, you won’t just feel like you’ve completed a hike. You’ll feel like you’ve actually traveled through the landscape.
Distance: ~50 to 55 km
Elevation Gain: ~2500 m
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Region: Kluane National Park
Difficulty: Challenging
This route includes off-trail travel, river crossings, and variable terrain. Distances and itinerary may change depending on conditions.
- Itinerary
Day 1 — Roll Out & Gear Shuffle
Day 1 — Roll Out & Gear Shuffle
We pick you up in Whitehorse in the morning and head toward Kluane.
We stop in Haines Junction to visit the visitor centre and the Da Kų Cultural Centre, to get a feel for the land we’re about to step into. Then we continue along Kluane Lake where the mountains start doing their thing.
We set up camp for the night, gear explosion everywhere, and we go through everything together. Packs get reorganized, unnecessary items quietly disappear, and we make sure everything is dialed for the days ahead.
Meet the crew, settle in, and get ready.
Tomorrow we head in.
Day 2–5 — Into the Wild: Kluane Traverse
Day 2–5 — Into the Wild: Kluane Traverse
We get dropped off near the Alaska Highway and start our adventure.
For a short while, it feels like a trail. Then it very much doesn’t.
We make our way toward Bock’s Lake, where the water hits that unreal blue, backed by steep mountains. It’s one of those places that makes you stop… and then remember you still have a full pack on.
From here, we commit to the traverse.
No markers. No path laid out. Just terrain, direction, and a rough idea of where we’re going.
We move through wide valleys, cross cold creeks, and climb into alpine ground where everything opens up. Some sections feel smooth, others make you question your life choices for a moment. That’s part of it.
Camps are wherever we decide they are. A flat-ish spot, close to water, good enough views (which is basically everywhere). No designated sites, no infrastructure, just setting up camp out in the wild.
Wildlife lives out here, and we move through it with awareness. Keep your eyes open, there’s a good chance something is watching us before we see it.
Evenings are simple and solid. Set up camp, cook together, share a few stories, and watch the light shift over the mountains before it slowly fades out.
Day 6 — Return to Civilization (kind of)
Day 6 — Return to Civilization (kind of)
We make our way out toward the Alaska Highway, following the last stretch of the route to our pickup point at a completely different location than where we started.
The road appears again.
The bus is there.
Packs come off, boots loosen, and we roll back toward Whitehorse. Expect to be back by the end of the day, a little tired, a little dusty, and with a few stories that only make sense if you were there.
Fitness level - what to expect?
Fitness level - what to expect?
This 6-day backpacking traverse is challenging and best suited for hikers with good fitness, prior backpacking experience, and a mindset for real backcountry travel. Before booking, make sure you’re comfortable with the following:
- You regularly hike 10–15 km+ with elevation gain
- You’re comfortable carrying a 13–18 kg (30–40 lb) pack for multiple consecutive days
- You can hike 6–8+ hours a day across uneven, off-trail terrain
- You’re confident moving through rugged landscapes, including loose ground and alpine sections
- You’re comfortable with river and creek crossings, including cold, glacier-fed water
- You’re adaptable to changing conditions and group-based decision making
Age Requirements
Age Requirements
The minimum age to book with YuSquatch Mt. Adventures is 18 years old unless accompanied with a legal guardian on the tour.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
-Full refund within 24H of booking
-Full refund for cancellations more than 3 months before the tour
-25% deposit kept for cancellations less than 3 months before the tour
-No refund if canceled within 30 days of the trip start date
Please note:
In the case of extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances on our end, we will work with you to reschedule or offer a full refund.
A 25% deposit is required upon reservation to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due no later than 1 month before the trip. This ensures your spot and helps us prepare for your visit.
Afficher tous les détails
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This is for you if;
- You’re an adventurer at heart, or ready to become one
- You’re drawn to big landscapes and want to experience Kluane beyond the viewpoints
- You’re excited by the idea of going off-trail and navigating real backcountry terrain
- You’re ready to carry a full pack and move through remote terrain for multiple days
- You’re looking for a challenging, rewarding traverse, not just a hike
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What's included ?
- All meals throughout the trip
- Professional ACMG-certified guide
- All essential group gear for remote travel, including tents, bear spray, and safety equipment
(Sleeping bag and sleeping mat not included but available for rent) - Kluane National Park permit fees
- Transportation from and to Whitehorse and throughout the trip