Third stop. Skagway.
We jumped on the White Pass and Yukon Train and rode from Skagway up to the White Pass Summit. It was a scenic photographer’s dream, exhilarating to look down from the train at the sheer drop off above and below us. The mountains were so steep and we saw evidence of glaciers carving through them everywhere.
The train was built to replace the Chilkoot Trail (1898-1900) during the Klondike Gold Rush and climbs 3,000 ft. in just 20 miles. Just looking at the rugged terrain, I’m amazed that it only took two years to build.
We heard many stories about the Chilkoot Trail and the 30,000 men, women, children and horses that climbed it in search of gold. If they made it to the Canadian border, Yukon Territory, and they didn’t have a ton of supplies to sustain them for a year, the Canadian North West Mounted Police turned them back. Those who made it survived brutal weather, grueling hiking/walking conditions and constant fatigue.
Looking down into the Lynn Canal just south of town where the ship was docked, we could see that beautiful glacial blue water again and all of the waterfalls and rivers spilling out of the mountains were that same color. Surreal!
The town of Skagway looks so much like Main Street Park City, Utah, I felt right at home. After hearing many stories of the Red Onion Saloon, I had to go in and take a look. So much fun! It was packed. I was so glad to be there in 2016 and not 1897. Today it is a restaurant/bar with a bordello spirit instead of a bordello in a lawless gold rush town.
It was an experience we won’t forget. Happy Anniversary to us!
