Chilkoot Trail

The Chilkoot Trail - July/August 2002

Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site

Alaska, USA to British Columbia, Canada

Reservations and Logistics

You will need to register with the park well beforehand as well as register your camp stops along the way. Plan for at least 4-5 days on the trail. The 'middle' day from Sheep Camp to Happy Camp which takes you over the Chilkoot pass carries a warning of counting on at least 10 hours for the hike. These two camps are the closest possible stops on this stretch. The Chilkoot Trail can be hiked either north to south(BC to Alaska) or south to north (Alaska to BC), however 98% of hikers choose to hike from Dyea to Bennett Lake. The reason for this is firstly that this is the route that those on the Klondike Gold Rush took... secondly, it is much easier on the knees to hike up in elevation than it is to hike down. An added logistic is that you will have to go through customs at the Parks Office in Skagway before getting on the trail since you will be crossing an international border halfway through your trek. Finally, you will need to get to the trail head from the town of Skagway. It is approximately 6km out of town in the abandoned village of Dyea. A number of charters run out of Skagway, not the least interesting of whom is "Dyea Dave" - an animated fellow who will fill you in on the history of the area as well as show you his size ?? feet!! To get back to Skagway, before you leave town, go the White Pass and Yukon Route Train Station and purchase tickets from Bennett Lake to Skagway if you plan to return. Alternatively, you can arrange for a shuttle bus out of Bennett if you are prepared to hike out to the highway.

Getting there

 There are about 5 different ways to get to Skagway, Alaska. Skagway is a major cruise ship port. Its population swells for a few hours when 3-5 ships and ferries dock. Skagway also does have an airstip serviced by Wings of Alaska via Juneau running Cessna aircraft. If this doesn't suit you, you will need to fly in to a closer centre and drive/shuttle or take a ferry from there. Your options include Juneau, AK, Haines, AK, or Whitehorse, YK. The Gray Line shuttle from Whitehorse is the shortest ride of the three, and this option is the most reasonably priced. Alaska ferries runs from Prince Rupert, BC through Juneau and Haines. This also makes for a great picturesque (36 hour) tour after your hike.