Where on earth
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- Region
- Yukon, Canada
- Country
- Canada
- Biome
- Icefield-foreland tundra (700–2,000 m)
- Best season
- June – August
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Camping
Key takeaways
- Biome: Icefield-foreland tundra (700–2,000 m)
- Best season: June – August
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Kluane — Slims River Trail
Topic summary
A trail-less approach to Canada's largest icefield below Mount Logan — 5–7 day base-camp trips.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: June – August
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Icefield-foreland tundra (700–2,000 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Kluane — Slims River Trail trip tools
How to get there
Kluane — Slims River Trail is in Yukon, Canada, Canada. Its center point is 60.9528, -138.4667. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Kluane — Slims River Trail
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
Animals around Kluane — Slims River Trail
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Kluane — Slims River TrailAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Kluane — Slims River Trail
Planning to fish Kluane — Slims River Trail, Yukon? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Yukon are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Kluane — Slims River Trail?
- A Yukon fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Yukon fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Kluane — Slims River Trail
Thinking about hunting Kluane — Slims River Trail, Yukon? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Yukon are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Kluane — Slims River Trail?
- Confirm the land around Kluane — Slims River Trail is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Yukon?
- A Yukon hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Kluane’s regional setting
The Slims River Trail belongs in the wider context of Kluane, in the southwest corner of Yukon. Kluane National Park and Reserve comprises two protected areas rather than a single administrative unit. The national park occupies an eastern portion, while the larger western section remains a reserve. The park borders British Columbia to the south; the reserve also meets Alaska to the south and west. This is a destination best understood at two scales: the individual walking route and the much larger protected mountain landscape around it. Regional geography helps explain the setting, but it does not establish trail access or walking conditions. Confirm the precise trailhead, current route guidance and access arrangements with Parks Canada before making a detailed itinerary.
Mountains, glaciers and lower-elevation vegetation
Mountains and glaciers dominate Kluane’s landscape, covering 83 percent of the park’s area. The reserve includes Mount Logan, Canada’s highest mountain at 5,959 metres, in the Saint Elias Mountains. Donjek Glacier is another named feature of the broader protected landscape; neither feature should be treated as a promised sight or objective on a Slims River Trail itinerary. Away from the major icefields and mountains, the remaining land is forest and tundra, lying to their east. Trees grow only at the park’s lowest elevations, with white spruce, balsam poplar and trembling aspen the principal species. For trip planning, the useful distinction is between this regional terrain and the specific ground a chosen route crosses. Establish that route detail before deciding what equipment and walking schedule are appropriate.
Climate context and responsible planning
The forest and tundra east of Kluane’s largest mountains and glaciers have a colder, drier climate than the western and southern parts of the park. That regional pattern is useful background, not a trail forecast or a basis for choosing travel dates. Pack for cold conditions and check local weather before departure. Kluane’s administrative history also matters: the reserve was established in 1972 pending First Nations land-claim settlements. Following agreement with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, about 5,900 square kilometres of its eastern portion became a national park in 1993, administered co-operatively with Parks Canada. The larger western section remains a reserve pending a final settlement with the Kluane First Nation. Confirm trail-specific requirements and current conditions with the managing agency.
Sample itineraries
- One-day park orientation · 1 day
Use a single day for an outing matched to confirmed access and current conditions in Kluane. Focus planning on the park’s eastern forest-and-tundra landscape rather than glacier terrain. Confirm a suitable walking route with Parks Canada before setting out.
- Two-day flexible walking plan · 2 days
Allow one day for orientation and a short walk on a confirmed route, then a second for further walking if conditions permit. Keep both days flexible. This is a planning framework, not a verified trail itinerary; confirm access, route demands and overnight arrangements with Parks Canada.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; timing depends on local conditions
In this cold, mountainous landscape, do not assume spring means snow-free walking. Confirm ground conditions and access before choosing an outing.
Summer
Summer; confirm suitable walking conditions
Pack for cold weather despite the season. Mountains and glaciers dominate Kluane, while its eastern forest-and-tundra areas have a colder, drier climate than the park’s western and southern areas.
Fall
Fall; timing depends on local conditions
Keep plans conservative as temperatures fall. Carry insulation and weather protection, and confirm whether the intended route remains suitable for walking.
Winter
Winter; confirm access and travel requirements
Treat winter as cold-weather mountain travel rather than an extension of summer hiking. Obtain current advice on access, equipment and route suitability before committing.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; timing depends on local conditions | In this cold, mountainous landscape, do not assume spring means snow-free walking. Confirm ground conditions and access before choosing an outing. |
| Summer | Summer; confirm suitable walking conditions | Pack for cold weather despite the season. Mountains and glaciers dominate Kluane, while its eastern forest-and-tundra areas have a colder, drier climate than the park’s western and southern areas. |
| Fall | Fall; timing depends on local conditions | Keep plans conservative as temperatures fall. Carry insulation and weather protection, and confirm whether the intended route remains suitable for walking. |
| Winter | Winter; confirm access and travel requirements | Treat winter as cold-weather mountain travel rather than an extension of summer hiking. Obtain current advice on access, equipment and route suitability before committing. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit, fee and reservation requirements with Parks Canada for the intended route and any overnight stay.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Cold exposure: carry insulating layers and weather protection appropriate to a cold mountain landscape.
- Mountain and glacier terrain: an ordinary walking plan should not extend onto glaciers without appropriate skills, equipment and current advice.
- Limited tree shelter: trees grow only at Kluane’s lowest elevations; do not count on forest cover higher up.
- Unverified route conditions: confirm access and trail-specific hazards before departure rather than relying on a general park overview.
What to pack for Kluane — Slims River Trail
- Insulating layers
- Weatherproof outer layers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Current route information
- Map and navigation tools
- First-aid kit
- Emergency shelter
- Footwear suited to confirmed terrain
- Drinking water
- Extra food
- Sun protection
Kluane — Slims River Trail FAQ
- Where is Kluane?
- Kluane National Park and Reserve lies in southwestern Yukon. The park borders British Columbia; the reserve also borders Alaska.
- What landscape should a visitor expect?
- Mountains and glaciers cover 83% of Kluane’s landscape. Forest and tundra occupy the remaining land east of the largest mountains and glaciers, with trees restricted to the lowest elevations.
- Is there enough detail here to navigate the trail?
- No. Confirm the trailhead, route, distance, navigation requirements and current conditions with Parks Canada before departure. The itineraries here are planning frameworks, not route descriptions.
- Who should confirm permits and overnight requirements?
- Contact Parks Canada for current requirements specific to the intended route and overnight plans. Do not assume a general park visit and a backcountry stay have identical requirements.
- Which trees grow in Kluane?
- White spruce, balsam poplar and trembling aspen are the primary tree species. Trees grow only at the park’s lowest elevations.