6-Day Cottonwood Trail Backpacking Adventure | Kluane National Park

We meet in Whitehorse in the morning around 9:30 AM and hit the road toward Kluane — about a two-hour drive into proper wilderness.

Along the way, we’ll stop by the visitor centre to get a feel for the landscape, and take part in a First Nations cultural experience to better understand the land we’re about to travel through.

This day is all about getting dialed in. We go through gear, pack backpacks, organize food, and make sure everything is ready for the days ahead. We’ll help you fine-tune your pack so you’re not carrying anything you don’t need (your shoulders will thank you later).

We set up camp near Kathleen Lake, just a short walk from the trailhead. Think relaxed vibes, good food, and your first night out in the wild.

Rest up — tomorrow, we head into the backcountry.

This is what you came for.

We leave the road behind and spend the next days deep in Kluane National Park, hiking point-to-point through one of the Yukon’s most iconic backcountry routes — crossing the landscape from one side to the other.

Each day pulls us further in.

Forests turn into open valleys, valleys into bigger mountain terrain, with glacier-fed rivers cutting through it all. The views don’t really let up — they just keep getting wilder the further we go.

Expect solid days on trail, usually 18–25 km, with breaks, river crossings, and plenty of “okay wow” moments along the way.

We camp off-grid as we move — no fixed spots, no campgrounds. Just finding a good place to land, setting up, and calling it home for the night.

Evenings out here hit different — good food, big silence, and nothing around but mountains.

Keep your eyes open — you might spot moose, mountain goats, or something watching you from a distance.

Your guides are there to keep things safe and dialed — you’re part of the team out here.

By the end, we start making our way toward the Mush Lake area — not quite ready to leave, but knowing you’ve gone properly out there.

One last morning in the backcountry.

We pack up camp and hike the final stretch of the Cottonwood Trail toward the Mush Lake Road trailhead — soaking in those last views, knowing we’ve properly earned them.

Back at the trailhead, our ride is waiting. Packs off, shoes off, and time to switch back (slightly) to civilization mode.

We hit the road and drive back to Whitehorse — tired, dusty, and full of the kind of memories that only come from days spent deep in the wild.

This 6-day backpacking trip is moderate to challenging and best suited for hikers with good fitness and prior experience. Before booking, make sure you’re comfortable with the following:

• You regularly hike 10 km+ with elevation
• You’re comfortable carrying a 13–18 kg (30–40 lb) pack
• You can hike confidently for 6–8 hours a day, including uphill sections
• You’re okay with wading through creek crossings and rugged terrain

A 25% deposit is required to secure all bookings.

Cancellation Schedule

• More than 90 days before departure: Full refund less a 4% payment processing fee and $100 CAD administrative fee
• 90 to 61 days before departure: 25% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
• 60 days or less before departure: 100% of the total trip cost is non-refundable

If you are unable to attend your trip, please contact us as soon as possible. Subject to availability and operational considerations, we may be able to offer a trip transfer, participant substitution, or trip credit.

Please Note
Trips operate in remote wilderness environments where weather, wildfires, transportation disruptions, medical emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances may impact itineraries or trip operations.

Yusquatch Mountain Adventures reserves the right to modify, delay, reroute, postpone, substitute activities, or cancel trips when necessary for safety or operational reasons.

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, and evacuation coverage.

For full details, please refer to our complete Cancellation & Terms Policy.