Trip Highlights
The Chilkoot Trail is an adventure that will give you a sense of the
challenge, excitement, anticipation, and dangers which faced the
Klondike Goldrushers of 1898.
The Chilkoot Trail serves as a
historic outdoors museum,with the discarded equipment, grave markers,
and other reminders of the goldrushers found everywhere along the route.
Our
route takes us through rainforest, alpine tundra, and boreal forest.
Snowcapped mountains, hanging glaciers, turquoise lakes, and cascading
rivers contribute to the magnificence of the rugged, scenic area that
follows the Chilkoot Trail.
Our travel back in time ends with a
3 hour train ride aboard the White Pass & Yukon Railroad from Lake
Bennett, terminus of the Chilkoot Trail, to Skagway, and an overnight
stay. The train follows the scenic Skagway Valley, past glaciers,
through tunnels carved into the mountains, over trestled bridges, and
past historic goldrush landmarks.
ITINERARY Day 0: Arrival in Whitehorse.
Day 1: We
will leave Whitehorse and begin our drive along the Klondike Highway to
Dyea, Alaska, where the trail begins. The first part of the trail is
forested, fairly flat, and relatively easy. The trail follows a logging
road past a sawmill (1950s) to Finnegan's Point. Across from here is
the magnificent Irene Glacier. From Finnegan's Point the trail begins
to climb, but not dramatically. We will eventually descend the trail to
the site of Canyon City at the mouth of theTaiya River Canyon. This
will be our campsite for the evening.
Day 2:
Shortly after leaving Canyon City we will begin to climb high above the
Taiya River. The trail is entirely through forest. There are a few
spots, however, where the scenery is fabulous. The trail will
eventually level off at a site called Pleasant Camp. The name refers to
the fact that this was the first level land and decent campsite after
Canyon City.
Day 3:
We will begin the most strenuous section of the trail today, with
dramatic changes in elevation and vegetation. We will leave early in
the morning, as progress will be slow. As we begin our assent from
Sheep Camp, we gradually leave the rain forest behind. Tree size
decreases, and the landscape takes on the barreness of sub arctic
tundra. This stretch was called Long Hill by the goldrushers, for
reasons that will become obvious. The Chilkoot Pass, nondescript,
comesinto view. At this distance its ominous reputation seems
undeserved. The Scales mark the end of the long, gradual drag up Long
Hill. At the Scales, the formidable nature of the climb over the
Chilkoot Pass becomes evident. Large boulders and a steep grade mark
the route up. From the summit the trail becomes easier as it begins to
descend and level off. We are now in true alpine tundra country. The
trail to our campsite at Happy Camp will highlight those features which
make a tundra landscape uniquely beautiful.
Day 4:
We have completed the most difficult section of the trail. The
remainder of the trail is relatively easy. Although there are stretches
of uphill hiking they are not long or dramatic. As we leave Happy Camp
the trail rises above the valley and follows a ridge along Long Lake.
After a short hike Deep Lake appears below us. A descent brings us back
below the treeline. The trail skirts the lake and then runs high above
a narrow canyon which the river, now known as MooseCreek, cascades from
Deep Lake to Lake Lindeman, our campsite for the evening.
Day 5:
The trail from Lake Lindeman to Bare Loon Lake is a tiring climb
through sparse forest. There are occasional views of Lindeman Lake as
reward for our efforts. Shortly after Bare Loon Lake the trail begins
to descend to Lake Bennett. There are some excellent viewpoints along
this stretch. Near the north end of Lindeman Lake the trail turns to
deep sand, parallels the train tracks, and makes its final elevation
gain. At the top of the hill there is a spectacular lookout.In the
distance you will see the Bennett rail station from which we will
leaving. Bennett was the terminus for both the White Pass and Chilkoot
trails
Day 6:
We will have the morning to explore the area around Lake Bennett.
Around 1:00 pm the WP & YR railway will return us to Skagway for
the evening. The train ride is approximately 3.5 hrs. We will be
staying at a campsite in town. You will have plenty of time to roam
around and visit the town's more interesting historical sites. In the
evening we will take those who are interested to visit the cemetery.
Many of the town's most famous and infamous citizens are buriedthere.
Day 7:
We will leave Skagway in the late morning. We will make a short stop in
Carcross before returning return to Whitehorse in the late afternoon.
| How to reserve your Chilkoot Trail Package |
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| INCLUDED |  transportation from the point of origin and return
national park user fees
White Pass & Yukon Railroad camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, tarps major first aid supplies meals/snacks/beverages on the expedition emergency radio or satellite phone and professional guides
Meals: All meals while on the backpacking portion of the trip.
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EXCLUDED | Transportation to point of origin
transfers
accommodation and food other than included in the itinerary gratuities, and personal equipment. |
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