Alaska

by

Dyea, Alaska (Chilkoot Trailhead)

Gold rushers had a choice of two land routes to the Klondike, the White Pass from Skagway and the Chilkoot Pass from Dyea. Thanks to the White Pass Railroad, Skagway has survived while Dyea has passed quietly into history. Today, there is little to see in Dyea and we arrived too late to explore the area.

CIMG0198

a hint of the scenery to come

a hint of the scenery to come

another hint of the scenery to come

another hint of the scenery to come

Home sweet home. There were two of us in that thing. At least, we each had our own door and covered porch. :)

Home sweet home. There were two of us in that thing. At least, we each had our own door and covered porch. 🙂

Getting water, probably my favourite 'chore' on the trail

Getting water, probably my favourite ‘chore’ on the trail

the biggest and most beautiful outhouse I've ever seen (also one of the stinkiest)

the biggest and most beautiful outhouse I’ve ever seen (also one of the stinkiest)

by

Skagway, Alaska

Skagway is an odd narrow town sandwiched on three sides by tall mountains and penned in on the forth by the ocean. It is a port city where cruise ships arrive in the hundreds during the summer season. The town appears, at first, to look a lot like Dawson City, very quaint and beautiful, but it soon becomes obvious that it is Disneyfied. The buildings on its streets are little more than façades hiding one kitschy tourist shop after another. But there is a Skagway to discover, if you care to, and I had four and a half hours in which to do so. I took a walking tour with a park ranger, visited the Klondike Park museum, and strolled through this small community. At the end of the afternoon, the group met up again for one last taste of civilization, superb Thai food at the Starfire restaurant on 4th Avenue. Skagway is obviously more than meets the eye.

01skagway

looking down Broadway towards the cruise ships

looking down Broadway towards the cruise ships

remember this name...

remember this name…

façades on Broadway (and our nice ranger guide on the walking tour)

façades on Broadway (and our nice ranger guide on the walking tour)

close up of a false front

close up of a false front

home of William Moore, founder of Skagway (historical colours!)

home of William Moore, founder of Skagway (historical colours!)

one of several cruise ships docked that day

one of several cruise ships docked that day

you know you're in the middle of nowhere when...

you know you’re in the middle of nowhere when…

the Chilkoot info centre, check in here for trail conditions, permits, and info

the Chilkoot info centre, check in here for trail conditions, permits, and info

one of the oddest buildings I have ever seen

one of the oddest buildings I have ever seen

by

Fraser to Skagway on the Whitepass and Yukon Railroad

The Whitepass and Yukon Railroad spelled the end of the Chilkoot trail’s usefulness, providing an easy route into the Klondike. Today, the railroad is renowned the world over for its gorgeous vistas.

We boarded the WPYR in Fraser, British Columbia, and rode it all the way into Skagway, Alaska, 40 odd miles through some of the biggest and most beautiful country I’d seen so far.

Fraser train station right across from US customs

Fraser train station right across from US customs

02train

This thing weighed about 40lbs when we started and only about 30lbs when we reached Bennett. Losing all that weight was motivation to EAT. :)

This thing weighed about 40lbs when we started and only about 30lbs when we reached Bennett. Losing all that weight was motivation to EAT. 🙂

04wp

05wp

06wp

this narrow-gauge track is unique in North America

this narrow-gauge track is unique in North America

the Whitepass trail of '98 (scary! look at how narrow it is!)

the Whitepass trail of ’98 (scary! look at how narrow it is!)

10wp

11wp

12wp

this bridge was in use until the 60's

this bridge was in use until the 60’s

it's obviously no longer in use now

it’s obviously no longer in use now

15wp

16wp

17wp

18wp

19wp

entering Skagway

entering Skagway

by

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

I will be leaving for Whitehorse within the next couple of hours. Monday is the big day when I meet up with the tour group and head for Skagway. I can’t wait!!!

My assumption is that I will not have access to the ‘net in Whitehorse. So, my next post might not be for another two weeks.

(Packing sucks; I’d forgotten what it’s like to not have all my personal effects with me at all times! 😀 )