Hiking the Alpine on Grey Mountain

Our biggest challenge before heading out on this hike was deciding whether or not the weather would cooperate. After hanging out in Whitehorse for over a week, the weather was constantly unsettled with lots of cloud and showers; quite often obscuring the mountain completely. The day we decided to go was still looking fairly unsettled and as we were driving up the mountain, it was raining heavily. Fortunately it passed quickly and by the time we were at the trailhead the weather was looking pretty good, although you could see lots of showers falling in the valleys and on the mountains around us.

Grey Mountain is the furthest peak to the right

The gravel road that takes you up the mountain starts out in really good shape, and then rapidly deteriorates slowing you to a crawl as you drive through huge potholes, giant washboards and large bedrock protrusions. Once to the top it is a moderate 4.6 km hike to the summit through beautiful high alpine with an elevation gain from the trail head of about 200m or 656 ft. Although Grey Mountain isn’t very high, only 1400 m or 4600 ft, you are far enough north that you get into the alpine fairly quickly.

The Road to the Trail Head

Grey Mountain Trail Head

Along the Way

There were lots of alpine wildflowers blooming and spectacular views all around and into the valleys on both sides of the mountain. You could see most of the Yukon River, from where it begins at Marsh Lake, all the way to Whitehorse.

Looking southeast at Marsh Lake and the Yukon River

Alpine Wildflowers

Blueberries in Bloom

Alpine Flowers

There are some fairly rugged spots on the trail and a fairly steep climb as you near the summit. The nice thing about this hike is that there are amazing vistas along the whole trail, even if you don’t make the summit; there is a lot to see.

A rugged section of the trail

Looking at the Summit

Steep trail near the summit

Still a little snow near the summit

Mt Sima Ski Hill

From the summit you can get a better look at Whitehorse. By the time I got to the top, another squall was blowing through with wind and rain, so some quick pictures and a retreat back to the parking area.