Tombstone Lakes Circuit: 7-Day Trek via Grizzly, Divide & Talus
Tombstone Lakes Circuit: 7-Day Trek via Grizzly, Divide & Talus
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📅 Upcoming Departures
August 17 2026: ➡️ Book this date
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Seven days of wilderness and adventure in the Yukon’s wild north. This journey combines five days of backcountry trekking through Tombstone Territorial Park with a night in Dawson City — linking alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and frontier charm into one unforgettable experience.
Step into the jagged heart of Tombstone Territorial Park on one of the Yukon’s most iconic backpacking routes. This 5-day, 4-night expedition links Grizzly Lake, Divide Lake, and Talus Lake — three alpine gems surrounded by the dramatic granite peaks that have earned Tombstone its nickname, the Patagonia of the North.
Each night you’ll camp on the shores of these lakes. The designated campgrounds provide tent pads, a cooking shelter or structure, bear-proof food lockers, and outhouses — simple comforts in an otherwise wild and remote setting.
Over the course of the trek you’ll cover about 46 kilometers with nearly 3,000 meters of elevation gain. Trails lead across alpine ridgelines, rocky talus slopes, and wide tundra valleys. At Talus Lake, the granite spire of Mount Monolith towers dramatically above camp — an image that stays with you long after the journey ends.
By late August, the tundra begins its autumn transformation. You’ll see the first bursts of red and gold mixing into the alpine greens — a preview of the brilliant fall colors to come. Along the way you might listen for marmots whistling in the rocks, scan ridgelines for Dall’s sheep, and drift to sleep under the endless skies of the Yukon backcountry.
Five days of pure wilderness magic in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the North.
After hiking back to the trailhead, the journey wraps up with a celebratory night in Dawson City — a quirky gold rush town of saloons, boardwalks, and Yukon spirit — before returning south to Whitehorse.
Total Distance: 46 km
Elevation Gain: 2,987 m
Difficulty: Difficult
Region: Tombstone Territorial Park
Fitness level - what to expect?
Fitness level - what to expect?
This 7-day backpacking expedition is difficult and best suited for hikers with strong fitness and prior multi-day backpacking experience. Before booking, make sure you’re comfortable with the following:
- You regularly hike 15 km+ with significant elevation
- You’re comfortable carrying a 13–18 kg (30–40 lb) pack
- You can hike confidently for 6–9 hours a day, including steep ascents and descents on rocky terrain
- You’re okay with scree, talus slopes, and rugged alpine passes
- Itinerary
Day 1 – Whitehorse to the Dempster Highway & Gear Check
Day 1 – Whitehorse to the Dempster Highway & Gear Check
Meet up in Whitehorse and hit the road north. The Klondike and Dempster Highways are an adventure in themselves — endless boreal forest, wide valleys, and those first jagged peaks of the Tombstones rising on the horizon.
By evening we’ll park the Squatch Bus somewhere along the Dempster and make it home for the night. Dinner, laughs, and a gear check under the northern sky to make sure every pack is trail-ready. Tomorrow, the real trek begins.
Day 2 – Trailhead to Grizzly Lake
Day 2 – Trailhead to Grizzly Lake
Boots on the dirt — it’s go time. The hike to Grizzly Lake is 11 km with a solid 914 m of gain, winding from forest into alpine ridgelines and finally dropping into the bowl of Grizzly Lake. Tonight we camp right on the shore with jagged granite peaks all around. Not a bad view from the tent door.
Day 3 – Grizzly Lake to Divide Lake
Day 3 – Grizzly Lake to Divide Lake
Today we take on the infamous Glissade Pass — 491 m of climbing through steep, loose rock that makes you earn every step. But from the top, the valley stretches out forever. A quick descent and a few more kilometers bring us to Divide Lake, a quiet pocket surrounded by rugged walls. Lakeside camp, alpine silence.
Day 4 – Divide Lake to Talus Lake
Day 4 – Divide Lake to Talus Lake
It’s a short day (6 km, 231 m gain) but the payoff is huge. The trail winds through tundra valleys and talus slopes until Talus Lake comes into view, with Mount Monolith towering above like something out of Patagonia. We set camp here, at one of the most jaw-dropping spots in the Yukon.
Day 5 – Talus Lake back to Grizzly Lake
Day 5 – Talus Lake back to Grizzly Lake
Time to retrace our steps — but the mountains never look the same twice. It’s 12 km with 708 m of climbing back over Glissade Pass, with new views and new light turning the familiar into something fresh. Back at Grizzly Lake, we spend one last night in the alpine.
Day 6 – Grizzly Lake to Trailhead, then Dawson City
Day 6 – Grizzly Lake to Trailhead, then Dawson City
Final push: 11 km with 643 m of elevation back out to the Dempster, where the Squatch Bus is waiting. High-fives all around, and then we roll south to Dawson City. Think saloons, boardwalks, and gold-rush spirit — the perfect place to raise a glass and celebrate the trek of a lifetime.
Day 7 – Dawson City to Whitehorse
Day 7 – Dawson City to Whitehorse
We grab breakfast, load up the bus, and hit the road south. It’s a full travel day as we gun it back to Whitehorse — one last big push through Yukon’s wide-open country. Back in town by late afternoon, packs dusty, legs tired, and hearts pretty damn full.
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.
View full details
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Is It For You?
- Sleeping beside alpine lakes with jagged peaks outside your tent door sounds like your kind of luxury
- You’re ready for steep passes, rocky trails, and ~3,000 m of climbing
- You don’t shy away from a little Type 2 fun — tough in the moment, unforgettable in hindsight
- You crave the raw satisfaction of carrying it all on your back and stepping outside your comfort zone
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What's Included ?
- All Meals (except last group dinner in Dawson City)
- Bilingual ACMG Certified Guide
- All Essential Gear for hiking in remote areas, including tents, bear spray, and more. (Sleeping bags and mats are not included but can be rented).
- Satellite Communication Device
- Park Permit Fees
- Transportation
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Age Requirements
The minimum age to book with YuSquatch Mt. Adventures is 18 years old unless accompanied with a legal guardian on the tour.