One of the great and super accessible hikes to do in Tombstone Territorial Park is the Goldensides hike. It wasn’t even on our radar until a ranger showed up while we were putting up our tent in the campground. He was trying to drum up support for a ranger led hike starting at 7 PM.
The Goldensides hike sure beat sitting around our picnic table so we decided to go. (As a side note, during the summer, there are ranger led hikes most evenings. Check the hiking schedule at the Interpretative Centre.)
Goldensides hike trailhead location
The hike starts at KM 74.5 on the Dempster Highway. The trailhead is well-signed and easy to find. From the Tombstone Interpretative Centre it is at most, a 10 minute drive north.
The hike itself is only 3.4 km round-trip – the perfect length for an after dinner hike. It climbs a total of 210 m and can be done in about 90 minutes.
If it’s a nice day you’re going to want to give yourself more time to explore and take photos at the top. Even though it’s a short hike, it’s prudent to take warm clothes, rain gear, water and a can of bear spray.
If there is still some daylight at the end of the hike, then a drive to one of the many informal viewpoints along the Dempster Highway would be worthwhile, especially since dusk (and dawn) is when you’re most likely to see wildlife.
Further reading on the Yukon
- Hiking to Grizzly Lake in the Tombstones
- The Hike to Divide Lake in the Tombstone Mountains
- The Ivvavik National Park Base Camp Experience
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