The reason I crossed the Yukon last week was to visit Dawson’s paddlewheel graveyard, where the great old ships of yesteryear were beached and left to die once their usefulness ended. The end of the steamboat era marked the end of an age for the Yukon, as the road network became larger and more reliable. The proverbial nail in the coffin were low-lying bridges under which these ships could not pass. It’s sad to know that this was the insurmountable obstacle for ships that made it through the Five Finger Rapids. Access to the graveyards is from a trail that starts at the Yukon River Territorial Campground; most easily found with a local guide.

trailhead from site 50something 🙂