An epic trek steeped in history! Dividing Alaska and Canada, the Coast Mountains are a formidable range that helped create gold rush lore. Before the White Pass & Yukon Route was built from Skagway to Whitehorse, the Chilkoot Pass was the route to the Klondike. Over it trekked thousands of enthusiastic prospectors, having arrived by steamships in Skagway and Dyea. Unloading tons of supplies they climbed the Chilkoot
Trail into Canadian territory. The toughest
section was ‘the stairs’ – a final climb to the
summit. Many had to make this numerous times to
get their goods ‘over the top’. Today the trail
is little changed and still creates a sense of
awe at the prospector’s remarkable achievement.
The original trail is mostly good hiking, the
summit climb still the most challenging. This
is a great family hike and recommended for
children 12 years and older. This rewarding
adventure can be extended by adding the Yukon
River paddle which will take you to Dawson City
- a journey from Alaska’s Pacific shore to the
Yukon’s Klondike!
Day 1 Sun: We'll greet you at the
airport and transfer you to the Hotel in
downtown Whitehorse. If you drive your own
vehicle, please check in to the River View Hotel
at your convenience. The rest of the day is at
your leisure.
Day 2 Mon: We'll drive our van to
Carcross and over the White Pass to Skagway, the
staging point for the gold rush Stampeders and
for modern travelers on their way to the
Klondike. There is the opportunity for an
optional ride on the historic train of the White
Pass & Yukon Route railroad from Fraser to
Skagway. After a visit of the historic town,
we'll continue to Dyea, where we'll start our
hike on the Chilkoot Trail. Today we'll hike to
Finnegan's Point (7.9 km / 4.9 miles, approx. 3
hours hiking time) where we'll spend our first
night on the trail.
Day 3 Tue: After breakfast we'll
continue our adventure through the coastal rain
forest. En route we'll visit the remains of the
long abandoned Canyon City town site before
continuing our hike to Sheep Camp (13.0 km / 8.1
miles, 5 to 6 hours hiking time). We'll follow
the banks of the Taiya River amid the lush rain
forest. This is a pleasant day with some easy
and some short but fairly steep climbs and a lot
of time for breaks.
Day 4 Wed: Today we'll leave very early
and climb above tree line where we'll enjoy the
superb view of mountains and glaciers. Along the
trail we'll find many relics of the stampede and
wonder at the incredible amount of goods that
had to be carried over this mountain pass. We'll
find numerous artifacts strewn among the
boulders and on the hills on both sides of the
trail. Later in the day we'll cross the border
between Alaska and Canada, over 1100 meters
(3700 feet) above sea level! From here we'll
descend over snowfields to the inland portion of
the trail. Passing small lakes, creeks and rock
outcrops we'll reach "Happy Camp" (12.1 km / 7.5
miles, 6-8 hours) in late
afternoon.
Day 5 Thu: As our trail winds its way
along rivers and lakes, it gives us incredible
views of gorgeous scenery. We'll gradually
descend to Deep Lake and further into the
forested area of Lake Lindeman (8.8 km / 5.5
miles, 4-5 hours hiking time). Here we'll spend
another night in a pristine wilderness setting.
Day 6 Fri: Today we'll continue our
trek to Bare Loon Lake - a nice swimming hole in
hot weather - and on to Lake Bennet where the
Chilkoot Trail ends(11.3 km / 7.0 miles, 4 to 5
hours hiking time). We'll have time to visit the
old train station and the partly renovated log
church in Bennet. A float plane will pick us up
by late afternoon for our spectacular flight
back to Whitehorse. Everybody will enjoy a hot
shower at the hotel!
Day 7 Sat: After breakfast, we'll
bring you to the airport for your flight south
or you'll take off on your own for your next
adventure. Better yet, you’ll continue on your
next adventure with Nature Tours of Yukon.
An Epic Trek Steeped In History!