The Chilkoot Trail was originally used by Tlingit First Nations, but is known for its use by Klondike Gold Rush stampeders at the end of the last century. The hike takes you from rainforest on the Alaskan side, to Alpine over the Chilkoot Pass and boreal forest on the Canadian side. Beautiful viewscapes and artifacts from the Gold Rush are some of the highlights from the trail.
Directions:
The majority of hikers begin their hike at the southern trailhead in Dyea, Alaska. Leaving from Whitehorse, drive south on Alaska highway (approximately 25 km) and turn right on Klondike highway in the direction of Skagway, Alaska. Drive through Carcross and the US customs all the way to Skagway (approximately 100 km) From Skagway, follow directions to Dyea and park at the Chilkoot trailhead. Plan a 2-hour drive from Whitehorse.
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ByPosted By: uofmoo
- Sun Jun 19 21:52:22 EDT 2011
CommentI did this hike in September 2010 and it was truly amazing. The US side is fairly flat with occasional mountain views. The pass itself was a LOT more challenging than I expected. For some reason I thought we would be walking up a rock face, but it was more like forging your own path through the biggest, steepest boulder field I have ever seen. There were moments I wasn't sure how I was going to make it to the top, but you just keep going. Others seemed to have a lot more success than I did finding their way through the rocks. Once through the Pass, it was breathtakingly beautiful with amazing alpine scenery, glacier lakes, waterfalls, the gorge, and treed sections. Just amazing!!! I hope to go back to go camping on the Canadian side in the next couple of years.
ByPosted By: Gooder
- Tue Jun 02 15:54:02 EDT 2009
Not Rated
QuestionWe are trying to find an outfitter or company that would shuttle us (6) to Skagway / Dyea Alaska from Whitehorse. (rather than rent a van and have it sit waiting for our return by train from Bennett)
Anyone else done the Chilkoot and offer helpful hints.
soiledsport@gmail.comANSWERS are in this forum: Whitehorse - Dyea
ByPosted By: msspider333
- Sun Jan 25 16:09:03 EST 2009
Not Rated
QuestionJust how bad is it going over the pass? We plan on going in August. If anyone can compare the Chilkoot to the West Coast Trail, I would love to hear which was more gruelling?ANSWERS are in this forum: chilkoot
ByPosted By: dwatts
- Tue Aug 29 01:20:20 EDT 2006
UpsideThe scenery is unforgettable, especially on the Canadian side of the pass. You hike from coastal rain forest to the high alpine, back to near desert conditions just before Bennet, all the while surrounded by historical artifacts from the Gold Rush. The camping areas are adequate, and it is wonderful to see the same group of hikers each evening.
DownsideGetting to the trailhead in Dyea from Vancouver involves a bit of planning, and the trip out of Bennet at the end of the hike can be a bit complicated to arrange, but other than that there is no downside to this amazing trip.
CommentI did a lot of research on this hike before going, but nothing I read or was told by others who had done the trip really prepared me for the climb over the pass. Knowing what I know now though I would definately go back and do this hike again. Going in August we found that bugs weren't bad at all, and the temperatures were moderate and pleasant for hiking. The trail is well marked, but be prepared to cross snow patches at the higher elevations, even late in the summer months. You will definately want a camera, there were lots of flowers in bloom even in mid August.
Posted By: uofmoo
Posted By: Gooder
Posted By: msspider333
