Nares Mountain Loop

Carcross is a great starting point from where to reach Nares Mountain hike. This track is accessed by car from the the Tagish Road. 

From Carcross head north and turn right onto the Tagish Road #8. Drive 2km and turn right into the Choutla Subdivision road. Carry on this road for 1.3km until you meet a dead end. The subdivision road carries on to the left (making a loop back to the Tagish Road) - here take the small dirt road to the right. Once you turn onto this road, you will see a sign saying Blattas Point Road - follow this road for 1.8km. When you see another sign on your right saying Private Drive, just ahead on your left is a parking area. At the far end of this parking area you will see a clear ridge, the trail starts here. 

The first 75 meters of the trail goes up a small ridge and then takes a hard right turn and continues another 100 meters across a small dry creek bed in a dense forest. As this area is home to many bears, make sure to be noisy and talk loud - carrying a bear spray is highly recommended as well in case of unwanted bear encounters. When you get to the top of the bank of the creek bed, turn left and you will be heading up the open ridge - here you will start getting some prospective and views of the area below: Carcross village in the distance and the beautiful light blue lakes of Nares and Bennett Lake. After 90 meters of hiking up the ridge, you will come to a small pine tree forest - after this you will be in the open for the rest of your hike. 

Once on the ridge, the route is straightforward as you essentially follow it to the summit. The views are fantastic for the entire climb up until the summit which is marked by some rock stakes. Once at the top there is a plateau that stretches off in several directions, each offering a different perspective. From the main high point there are great 360 degree views of Carcross area, the lakes and Montana and Caribou mountains. Towards the southwest of the summit, there is a little rocky point that looks down to Nares Lake and across to Montana Mountain. There's also another point to check out to the southeast with amazing views of Tagish Lake, Bove Island, and Lime Mountain. 

From the summit you can see the trail going down the opposite side of the mountain from where you came. Descend the rocky flank of the mountain until you reach the trail and then continue the descent along the trail which passes through patches of pine forest until you reach the parking area. 

As this hike is a loop, the trail can be walked in both direction. Either way, all efforts are rewarded by stunning views of the region!