Chilkoot Trail

Welcome to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and specifically to the legendary Chilkoot Trail. I am delighted to be your academic guide as we traverse this remarkable 33-mile corridor of history, nature, and human…

As we venture further into the first segment of our trek, we find ourselves immersed in a dense, verdant rainforest. The canopy above filters the sunlight into a soft, green hue, while the damp earth beneath our boots speaks to…

We now arrive at Sheep Camp, a crucial juncture on the Chilkoot Trail and once the final major staging area before the terrifying ascent over the pass. Take a moment to survey this seemingly tranquil clearing. …

The ascent from Sheep Camp brings us to a treacherous area historically known as The Scales. The name is completely literal; it was here that Canadian authorities and hired packers weighed the staggering amounts of gear required…

We have finally reached the summit of Chilkoot Pass, undoubtedly the climax of this formidable 33-mile trek. Here, amidst the howling alpine wind and the stark, rocky terrain, you stand exactly upon an international border,…

As we leave the harsh, rocky confines of the summit and begin our descent into the Canadian side of the pass, the landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation. We transition from the barren, alpine tundra into a slightly more…

Our grueling trek culminates here, on the shores of the breathtaking Lake Bennett. This expansive, deep blue body of water serves as the northern terminus for our 33-mile hike on the Chilkoot Trail. …

As our expedition along the Chilkoot Trail draws to a close here at Lake Bennett, let us take a moment to contextualize the magnitude of what we have explored. We have successfully traversed 33 miles of some of the most…