The city of Skagway, as most of the cities we visited, is very small. I think I remember them saying year-round residents number only 400, but of course that number multiplies many times over during the summer tourist season.
Our excursion here was called “Experience the Yukon.” So we boarded the coach and headed up the only road leading out of Skagway. You can see where the narrow-gauge railway winds around the mountain on its way to White Pass summit. It was another excursion option we didn’t take. White Pass summit was the first hurdle for gold seekers to get to the Yukon. They were required to have 1000 pounds of gear with them to be allowed to go. It took several trips up the rugged terrain to get that gear to the top.
This bridge we crossed is unique because it is only attached to the mountain on one side. Hmmm…. It’s because of earthquakes…during an earthquake the bridge can go with the flow and doesn’t break up, so is said to be safer that way. Hmmmm….
This picture was taken near the Canadian border crossing. We were cautioned not to take pictures of the customs area. There were kayakers going by…I wonder if they have to stop at the customs office?
A view from the Canadian Highway
Entering Yukon Territory
Now who would have expected to find a desert here?
Carcross Desert
We were provided lunch at Caribou Crossing. Definitely a tourist trap, but they gave us a good BBQ lunch with all the warm homemade doughnuts you can eat. I found out I could eat quite a few of those yummy little things! Tables were in these covered wagons.
This resident dog, which looked like he’d had many a homemade doughnut too, sat here politely watching us as we ate. When we were done, he accepted a pat on the head and then went on to the next wagon to repeat his vigil for the dining pleasure of those inside.
The owners here were taxidermists and they had a museum we could tour…no charge. Inside were many examples of “stuffed” local wildlife, some of them extinct, like the wooly mammoth.
Now that’s a big nosed antelope!
Replica of a trapper’s camp.
Now this is definitely the prettiest spot of the day. Emerald Lake
It now belongs to the park service, but the Swiss family who bought land and built this house were “grandfathered in” and allowed to stay. What a view they have.
This sign explains the color of the water.
Except for the trees, it looks like this could be in the Caribbean.
We only had 15 minutes to explore Carcross….a place I would have liked more time. They definitely rely on tourists too, but somehow seemed more real. This proprietor stood outside with a friendly wave to beckon tour bus occupants inside. Looked like it would have been an interesting shop to look into, but no time.
Town library
Bed and breakfast
It’s not pretty, but if you need anything, he probably has it.
At one time this area was the site of a large caribou migration route (maybe still is). Too many towns sprung up with the name Caribou Crossing, so some were forced to change their names. Thus the name “Carcross.” This is the RR depot.
General Store…only had time for a quick peek inside…loaded shelves to the ceiling.
Lake Bennett….this is where gold seekers, once reaching the summit at White Pass would build a boat, paddle across this lake to access the Yukon River to get to Dawson.
Where the locals live …
More views of Lake Bennett
Oldest church in the Yukon, circa 1904 St. Saviour’s Anglican Church
Returning to Alaska
View from the Klondike Highway
White Pass train runs through the center of Skagway
Train snowplow
Cliffs were and still are used as billboards
I can’t remember how many pieces of driftwood they said were used to create this façade.
Here’s an rv park right in downtown Skagway.
Facilities are handy right on the street. A bargain on bottled water, too.
Now here’s an oxymoron
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