The Chilkoot Trail In Alaska Starts In An Abandoned Village
By Megan McDonald|Published March 26, 2020
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
There are many wondrous hikes to do here in Alaska, but the Chilkoot Trail is truly one in a million. Starting off in the ghost town of Dyea, this hike follows in the footsteps of the thousands of gold rushers that came looking for gold. With stunning views, and studded with historical artifacts, this trail should be on your lifetime bucket list.
The Chilkoot Trail is a beautiful trail that retraces the steps of the gold rushers who climbed Chilkoot Pass in 1897-98.
The trail starts in the ghost town of Dyea, Alaska. In order to get to this town you have to take a shuttle, or park in the National Park Service campground overnight parking area. You can't park at the trailhead, so make your plans ahead of time!
You will hike out of Alaska, and into Canada. Before starting on your hike you need to get a permit settled before you head out onto the trail. You can pick yours up at the Trail Center in Skagway.
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You'll pass through so many amazing features on this hike, like boardwalks and bridges over rivers.
One of the most spectacular experiences you'll have on the trail is passing by discarded artifacts. The trail is littered with items left by miners when they hiked this trail into Lake Bennett, British Columbia.
There's great camping areas and even cabins to rent for the evening. Hikers sometimes take up to five days to complete the trail, although there are some trail runners who finish the hike in a single day.
You'll travel just over 6,000 feet in elevation gain before you reach the end of your hike. There are many areas where you have to scramble over rocks, and try not to lose your footing. Many people train before attempting this hike.
The hike is worth the effort however, and the trail ends at the lovely Bennett Lake and Station.
To head home, hikers will need to be picked up by the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad to take the train back into Skagway. Some intrepid travelers may hike back down again, but the majority relax on the White Pass & Yukon Route train ride down.
You will soak in the gorgeous views on this hike, and experience reliving the past in a way that's nearly impossible in our modern world.
Over 10,000 people take the trek that thousands of gold rush miners did over 100 years ago. Hiking this amazing, historic trail belongs on everyone's lifetime bucket list.
Have you ever hiked the Chilkoot Trail? What was your experience? Do you ever plan on doing it again? Let us know in the comments below!
