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Ididaroad at Carcross, Yukon

PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:36 am
by Liz
On the road to Skagway we stopped to visit the historic village of Carcross, but first we saw…

Another grizzly bear!
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At a pull off Roe and I took a walk through some clover, so I reverted to a childhood pastime of searching for a lucky 4-leaf clover. This one was lucky because I didn’t pick it…just took a picture.
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Carcross has a population of about 250 residents, mostly “First Nation” as they call themselves. Formerly known as Caribou Crossing for the caribou that forded the narrows, the town grew and thrived during the gold rush. Gold seekers arrived by steamboat at Skagway, then climbed the steep mountain with their supplies (making several trips) to Bennett Lake on their way to the Yukon River.
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The Carcross visitor center was relocated to the old train depot in 1990 following a disastrous fire which destroyed the old sternwheeler “Tutshi” whose burned remains are still here. The sternwheeler used to travel the lakes here.
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Carcross was the site of the driving of the golden spike completing the railroad on July 29, 1900. The narrow gauge railway is still in operation, carrying tourists from Skagway, curling around the steep mountainsides to White Pass summit.
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Let’s take a walk around this interesting little town. These giant “gold pan” signs depict local history and advertise a local business selling native crafts.
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Anybody interested in some free ice worms?
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This shop looked very interesting on the outside. Inside was a gift shop selling locally made jewelry and crafts.
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This church once housed the mining recorder’s office during the gold rush.
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Raven roosting on the steeple cross…hmmm
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Maybe I’ll come back here when I retire from traveling. It has everything including the kitchen sink.
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A local residence.
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Backside of the same house.
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Locals fishing…Lake Bennett in the background.
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A row of old storefronts…now closed.
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Close up of the one with birdhouses.
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Another residence.
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Post Office
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This is the oldest of the two churches.
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A sign on the door had a schedule for services…once or twice a month with a different preacher coming each time.
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Church outhouse.
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Next will be our drive over the border and the town of Skagway. Stay tuned.

Re: Ididaroad at Carcross, Yukon

PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:46 am
by mitch5252
I am so loving all these pictures!

I was curious where Carcross was, and I thought maybe others here might, too! Here's a map...man, you guys are up there! The bear pictures are making me want to 'make' George take the trip... :) (won't happen...)

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Re: Ididaroad at Carcross, Yukon

PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 12:41 pm
by Cedar518
I'm really enjoying your trip reports Liz,... thanks so much!

Re: Ididaroad at Carcross, Yukon

PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:41 pm
by Sparkle
Gee, makes my hike look pretty tame. I was told that a "rogue" bear from Yellowstone was dropped off at the Kaibab Forest some years back, but I doubt it, they wouldn't just have one lonely bear here would they?
Love the photos, you can almost feel how crisp the air is in the pic of the guys fishing.