Location and surroundings
Mount Young is a peak in the Chilkat Range, part of the Alsek Ranges in the Saint Elias Mountains of the Pacific Coast Ranges and the wider North American Cordillera. It is in Alaska, United States, in Haines Borough. Within its range it ranks first by elevation, and the terrain around it is a mix of steep mountain slopes, wet forested country at lower levels, and alpine ground near the summit.
The mountain sits in a landscape influenced by coastal moisture and rugged relief. Tongass National Forest and Endicott River Wilderness lie at or near the summit area, so access and travel planning should take account of protected-land rules, rough ground, and changing weather.
Neighbouring peaks
Nearby summits and passes give a sense of Mount Young’s position in the range:
- Berg Mountain — 1,385 m, 13.6 km NW
- Tree Mountain — 1,031 m, 13.8 km W
- Peak 5700 — 1,737 m, 17.0 km N
- Mount Rice — 2,017 m, 18.9 km N
- Mount Elder — 1,401 m, 20.3 km NW
- Sullivan Mountain — 1,068 m, 21.8 km N
- Snow Dome — 1,216 m, 22.2 km NW
- Mount Case — 1,605 m, 22.9 km W
The nearest higher peak is Peak 5700, which is 35 m higher and lies 17.0 km to the north. Several nearby peaks are lower, so Mount Young is one of the main high points in this part of the Chilkat Range.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks listed around Mount Young are Mount Rice at 2,017 m, 18.9 km to the north; Peak 5700 at 1,737 m, 17.0 km to the north; Mount Young itself; Mount Case at 1,605 m, 22.9 km to the west; Miller Peak at 1,456 m, 23.9 km to the southwest; and Yang-Webster Peak at 1,309 m, 24.5 km to the southeast. From a clear summit, these are the main named high points likely to define the skyline.
Because the mountain is in a coastal range with strong relief, the view can be broad when weather is clear, but cloud, mist, and precipitation often limit visibility. The surrounding ridges and higher peaks to the north are the most prominent features in the immediate area.
The range
Mount Young belongs to the Chilkat Range, which is the high point of the range itself. The range has 10 named peaks, and Mount Young ranks first among them by elevation. That makes it the range’s top summit, even though higher mountains exist elsewhere in the broader Saint Elias Mountains system.
The Chilkat Range is one step in a long mountain hierarchy: North American Cordillera > Pacific Coast Ranges > Saint Elias Mountains > Alsek Ranges > Chilkat Range. Mount Young is therefore a local high point in a much larger mountain chain, rather than the highest summit of the wider region.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data, adjusted to summit elevation. At the top, the warmest month is July at about 3 °C, and the coldest is January at about -11 °C. Mean temperatures are above freezing only in July and August. In the surrounding area, annual precipitation is about 3,350 mm, with the wettest month in October at about 410 mm and the driest in June at about 145 mm.
This is a wet mountain climate, so expect rain, low cloud, wind, and rapid changes in visibility. Even in summer, snow, cold rain, and slippery ground can affect travel, while winter conditions at summit height are severe.
Best time to visit
The most workable period for a climb is usually the short summer window, and the summit climate data point to July and August as the only months with mean temperatures above freezing at the top. Those are also the months when snow cover and cold exposure are generally less severe than in the rest of the year.
For lower approaches, June is the driest month in the surrounding area, while October is the wettest. In practice, visitors should still expect wet ground and unsettled weather even in the better months, and plan for flexible timing.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain lies in a protected coastal mountain environment near Tongass National Forest and Endicott River Wilderness. Lower slopes in this part of Alaska are typically covered by dense forest, with alpine scrub, rock, snow patches, and possibly lingering ice higher up. The exact mix changes with aspect and elevation, but the overall setting is cool, wet, and rugged.
Wildlife in this region commonly includes forest and mountain species adapted to wet temperate conditions. On the mountain itself, the main natural concerns for visitors are steep ground, saturated vegetation, slippery rock, and snowfields that can persist well into the season.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain of this height and terrain, a certified guide is not always necessary, but it can be useful if you are unfamiliar with remote Alaska travel, route-finding, or wet alpine conditions. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the American Alpine Club.
Visitors usually look to local guide services, the national guide association, or tourist offices in the region for current advice. Examples of established guiding companies in the United States are RMI Expeditions and Exum Mountain Guides. Guided trips commonly include route planning, safety management, and technical instruction, and the cost depends on trip length, group size, hut or camp nights, and equipment needs. Some peaks in the country require registration or permits from the land agency, so check rules for the area before going.
Safety and preparation
Mount Young calls for solid mountain fitness, wet-weather clothing, navigation skills, and the ability to travel on steep, remote ground. The main hazards are cold rain, wind, poor visibility, slippery surfaces, and snow or ice near the summit. Because the mountain is in a protected and sparsely developed area, self-reliance matters even on a short outing.
For emergencies in the United States, the mountain rescue number is 911. Dispatchers alert the local search and rescue team, usually through the county sheriff or a national park system.
Interesting facts
Mount Young is the highest of the 10 named peaks in the Chilkat Range. The nearest higher peak is Peak 5700, 17.0 km to the north. The range high point is Mount Young itself, so there is no higher summit within the Chilkat Range. Its setting in the Haines Borough places it in a remote part of southeastern Alaska, close to protected land and a wet coastal mountain environment.
FAQ
How high is Mount Young? Mount Young rises to 1,702 m.
Where is Mount Young located? It is in Haines Borough, Alaska, United States, in the Chilkat Range of the Saint Elias Mountains.
Is Mount Young the highest mountain in the Chilkat Range? Yes. It is the highest of the 10 named peaks in the range and the range high point.
What is the nearest higher peak to Mount Young? Peak 5700 is the nearest higher peak, 17.0 km to the north and 1,737 m high.
Is there water on the way to Mount Young? In this wet mountain environment, water is often available from snowmelt and runoff, but it should be treated before drinking. Carry about 1.5-3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on Mount Young? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
Will my mobile phone work on Mount Young? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.