Hike the Chilkoot Pass
2006

Join us this summer for a 'golden' opportunity to experience the great Klondike Gold Rush as we hike the Chilkoot Pass.

In July of 1897, thousands of people seeking a fortune of gold began a life changing journey to the Yukon's Klondike. While most of these Stampeders didn't strike it rich, some came to realize their Klondike Stampede experience was as precious as gold.

A significant portion of this eight day hiking and camping adventure in Alaska and the Yukon is devoted to learning more about the Klondike Gold Rush and the people involved. Not only will you hike in their footsteps, you will re-live the history through a variety of unique experiences created by our heritage interpreters. From the flats of Dyea, where many Stampeders lost their entire outfits before getting off the beach, to the Chilkoot Pass where a contingent of NWMP officers were stationed throughout the bitter, cold winter, you will live the Chilkoot Trail as you hike it. 

For those with more time available, consider combining this hike with one of our overland Alaskan Arctic Circle tours (July 23 - August 5; August 20 - September 2) or one of our Yukon Treks (July 23 - August 5 - July 8; August 20 - September 2). Please ask us about a

discount if you book this hiking trip and an overland tour.

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This itinerary is a sample and may change due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or other operators' schedules.

Day 1. Dyea, AK.
This hiking adventure of the Chilkoot Trail begins in Whitehorse, Yukon as our group assembles before a scenic two hour drive to the restored gold rush town of Skagway, Alaska. After registering at the Chilkoot Trailhead Centre we'll time to explore this picturesque gold rush town before proceeding to the campground at Dyea. 

In the evening, we'll explore the ruins of Dyea, the 1897 town located at the start of the Chilkoot Trail and where most Stampeders were dropped off. Soon a town of 8,000 existed where years before only stood the Healy and Wilson store and some Native American homes.  Only a few remnants remain, such as the remains of the long wharf, a couple of buildings and the Slide Cemetery, where victims of the Palm Sunday Avalanche are buried. We'll also visit the mud flats where many Stampeders came ashore with their required one ton outfit of goods. Many people lost their entire outfit, as well as their golden dreams, when the oncoming tide flooded their goods before they could be moved off the beach.

Day 2. Canyon City, AK.

The morning of Day Two marks the start of five days of hiking the Chilkoot Trail. For the next two days we hike through the lush coastal temperate rainforest passing sites of trail cities such as Canyon City, Pleasant Camp and Sheep Camp. At Sheep Camp, we prepare for climbing the Chilkoot Pass on the next day. Sheep Camp was the last "city" before the pass and was packed with thousands of stampeders, especially when bad weather slowed travel over the pass. At the height of the Klondike Stampede, it contained 16 hotels, 14 restaurants, 3 saloons, 2 dance halls, and a post office. Now all that remains are scattered artifacts admired by curious hikers and studied by archaeologists. The national park has an old cabin filled with artifacts and displays and a park ranger will give a presentation on the camp's history in the evening and offer advice on the next day's monumental journey.

Today's section of trail follows the flood plain of the Taiya River to our campsite at Canyon City. The total distance today will only be 12 km (7.5 miles) along a mostly level trail, except for Saintly Hill at the start.

Day 3. Chilkoot Trail, AK
Before leaving camp, we will hike across the river on a suspension bridge to the ruins of Canyon City where there are several gold rush artifacts, including a large boiler that powered the Dyea - Klondike Transportation Company's aerial tramway over the pass. From Canyon City the trail continues above the Taiya River canyon past Pleasant Camp to Sheep Camp. Here we will eagerly plan for tomorrow's hike over the Chilkoot Pass.  In the evening, a park ranger offers a presentation on the history of Sheep Camp and provides some advice for climbing over the pass. Today's distance will be about 7 km (4 miles) and we climb about 215 meters (700 feet). 

Day 4. Chilkoot Trail, BC

Like the Stampeders, our most difficult section will be climbing Chilkoot Pass. We will start early in the day to be sure we have plenty of time to get to our next camp 14 km (8.7 miles) away. From the forests around Sheep Camp we gradually ascend Long Hill to the alpine. The mountains get closer and the excitement builds as we approach the Scales and the start of the climb to the pass itself. There is discarded equipment littering the landscape around the Scales, which provides a great opportunity for a break before the climb begins.

This area is also the last flat spot before the challenging climb up the Golden Stairs to the summit. The Golden Stairs is actually a steep, rock strewn slope. This is the most difficult section for most hikers: the climb up the pass is over large boulders and can be tedious, but slow and steady progress will insure the summit of the pass is reached. This highest point is also international border between the United States and Canada.

At the summit in 1897-98 there was a NWMP post that guarded the entry to Canada and heaps of provisions stashed by the stampeders were scattered about, but now there is only a warden's cabin and warming hut. (Crossing into Canada meant proving one was required to have a full year supply of provisions before entry was granted). Before long we descend down to the open terrain along Crater Lake and follow the streams to Happy Camp.

Day 5. Chilkoot Trail, BC
From our beautiful site at Happy Camp we follow the valley, past Long Lake and Deep Lake, towards Lindeman Lake. The vegetation and terrain are very different from the sections before the pass and more relics are apparent. As Lindeman Lake comes into view, we can see where some stampeders built boats to float the rest of the way down the Yukon River to Dawson City. There is a small cabin at each campground to cook in and there is an interpretive tent full of more Klondike information and books.  We will cover 9 km (5.5 miles) in our hike along the Chilkoot Trail today. 

Day 6. Chilkoot Trail, BC
From Lindeman City to Bennett, it is 11 km (7 miles) to the end of the trail at Bennett. Most of the trail follows rolling terrain past several small and beautiful lakes including Bare Loon Lake. Just as the trail begins its descent to Bennett, we will stop at the cemetery above town. There are several graves, including one of a North West Mounted Police officer that perished during the stampede here. Shortly afterwards St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church appears and then the train station in the distance. Just like in 1898, Bennett is the end of the trail. By late May 1898, over 20,000 people were waiting at Bennett for the ice to break-up on the lake so they could make there way to Dawson City by boat.

Day 7. Chilkoot Trail, AK
After our last leisurely morning at the headwaters of the Yukon River, we board the White Pass & Yukon Route train at 1:00 pm to take us back to Skagway for the night. We complete our Chilkoot hiking experience with a stay at a locally owned hotel and dinner in Skagway before returning to Whitehorse the following day.

Day 8. Return to Whitehorse, YT
After some sightseeing in the morning, we will drive back to Whitehorse, Yukon, arriving by late afternoon.

Notes:

1. Meals. We prepare our own delicious and nutritious food from basic ingredients.  All meals are vegetarian with some meat available for those that desire some meat on the trail.  We try to cater to most food allergies and dislikes. 

2. Skagway. Guests are able to meet us in Skagway if they choose and received a $50 discount.

3. Our Guiding Services. Our backpacking guides are professional backpacking guides/heritage interpreters and are licensed by Parks Canada to guide along the Chilkoot Trail.  The guides are experienced on this trail and with providing interpretive programs.  This is a learning adventure with significant time spent on learning more about the history of this route as it relates to the 1897-98 Klondike Gold Rush.  Our group will consist of a maximum 10 guests and 2 guides. 

4. Hiking Conditions.

This tour is for backpackers looking for a moderate to challenging backpacking trip on a classic and historic trail.  The longest day with a full backpack covers 14 km (9 miles) with an elevation gain of 800 m (2625 feet) with much of it over uneven terrain and up steep inclines.  This day is the summit day on the Chilkoot Pass and can take the group 8-15 hours to hike.  It is the longest and most difficult day.  This trip is suited to experienced backpackers or novice hikers in good physical condition and with a training program.  We recommend less experienced hikers to practice backpacking with a backpack weighing more than it will on this hike and at least 8-10 times for 4-5 months before the tour. Backpacking requires a high level of activity while carrying a heavy load on your back.  While we try to insure guests are suitable for a particular tour, ultimately it is the guests' responsibility to choose a hike that suits their physical condition.  We have rated our treks in relation to other mountain trails in western Canada.   Due to the mountainous nature of most of our trips, please consider that a moderate trek in the Canadian Rockies may be considered more challenging than a moderate hike in New Hampshire or Ontario for example. All of our treks require participants to carry overnight packs and to hike four to six hours per day (includes lunch and breaks). The difficulty of a particular trail may also increase in inclement weather.  

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