Note: Paint Mountain is not within the boundaries of the Kluane National Park.

Paint mountain is a massive rock face just outside Haines Junction – the gateway to the Kluane National Park. It has fantastic views of Pine Lake and the Kluane front ranges.

Type	Out & Back
Distance	4.3 kms
Elevation Gain	704 mts
Elevation	1284 mts
Difficulty	Medium

The Paint Mountain trail may be a short one, but don’t let that fool you. It is rated as difficult due to its very steep ascent; gaining 700 mts elevation in a short 2.4 kms.

The trail begins from the Cul-de-sac at the end of Pine Lake Road and within no time, it gets steep. Be prepared to feel like a mountain goat.

After you climb the first rocky face, there is a short gradual section. Here, the large yellow cables will merge on your trail. Were they the cables or the pipes? Aah, my old mind!

There is a good resting spot about half way up with a panoramic view of Alaska Highway and the Pine Lake at the bottom and Kluane National Park’s front range in the west.

The remaining section to the top is not as steep as the first section, but there is still some climbing left to be done.

Before long, a white painted house like structure will appear in front of you, which is the summit. On the left of this structure, is an outhouse and a helipad (from the looks of it), though it seems too small & dilapidated for any chopper to land on it.

You can explore the summit region and extend your hiking trip further if you have more time or head back down the same way you came up.

Vlog on hiking the Paint Mountain

Driving Directions

The Paint Mountain Hike is located about 150 kms, a 1.5 hour drive, from Whitehorse. Click on the image below to open driving directions on google maps.