Skagway White Pass Rail Tour Post 12 of 16
June 30, 2018
Continuing southward on the cruise ship, next stop was Skagway for the famed rail tour. The dock was right next to the train station, so clearly this was a deep water port. We walked from the ship to the train.
Skagway, which used to be Skaguay, was a major gateway at the turn of the 20th Century, as gold attracted the attention of many an adventurous soul. The trek into the mountains to look for gold crossed into Canada along this route, and was traveled by foot, before the train tracks were laid. Our neighbors to the north were very concerned over the potential influx of border crossers, what with the remote location and the general poverty of the newcomers. Not wanting to support the crowd as a matter of public policy, the Canadians required each person to bring a literal ton of supplies... I think we were told two years' worth of goods, which were specified to include an axe and other necessities.
You have heard of the Yukon Gold Rush, right?
I mean, Bonanza Creek in the Klondike????
Good reference - https://wpyr.com/history/ I snagged these pictures (above and below) from that site, the two routes prior to the train. The Chilkoot picture is somewhat iconic:
So off we went. Look ma, no packs!
I for one was happy they had replaced and upgraded some of the original track and bridges:
Sometimes we were pretty close to the mountain:
We crossed into Canada on the train, and from there we took a bus farther north. That's where we had our bear experience:
Turns out the dandelion is a bear delicacy (perhaps I should adopt one to help in my lawn maintenance program!). This mama had her cubs at the food court alongside the road:
These pictures were shot from the front (closed) door of the bus. I was on my fanny on the steps there, shooting through the door. No, I did not ask if the driver would open the door. Although, at one point I was sure I heard Linda negotiating with the driver to quick, open! and some talk of shoving me out. But, I was focusing on the task at hand. Sorry. Photo guy humor.
Further north, we had a photo op stop of which we availed ourselves:
Continuing southward on the cruise ship, next stop was Skagway for the famed rail tour. The dock was right next to the train station, so clearly this was a deep water port. We walked from the ship to the train.
Skagway, which used to be Skaguay, was a major gateway at the turn of the 20th Century, as gold attracted the attention of many an adventurous soul. The trek into the mountains to look for gold crossed into Canada along this route, and was traveled by foot, before the train tracks were laid. Our neighbors to the north were very concerned over the potential influx of border crossers, what with the remote location and the general poverty of the newcomers. Not wanting to support the crowd as a matter of public policy, the Canadians required each person to bring a literal ton of supplies... I think we were told two years' worth of goods, which were specified to include an axe and other necessities.
You have heard of the Yukon Gold Rush, right?
I mean, Bonanza Creek in the Klondike????
Good reference - https://wpyr.com/history/ I snagged these pictures (above and below) from that site, the two routes prior to the train. The Chilkoot picture is somewhat iconic:
So off we went. Look ma, no packs!
I for one was happy they had replaced and upgraded some of the original track and bridges:
Sometimes we were pretty close to the mountain:
We crossed into Canada on the train, and from there we took a bus farther north. That's where we had our bear experience:
Turns out the dandelion is a bear delicacy (perhaps I should adopt one to help in my lawn maintenance program!). This mama had her cubs at the food court alongside the road:
These pictures were shot from the front (closed) door of the bus. I was on my fanny on the steps there, shooting through the door. No, I did not ask if the driver would open the door. Although, at one point I was sure I heard Linda negotiating with the driver to quick, open! and some talk of shoving me out. But, I was focusing on the task at hand. Sorry. Photo guy humor.
Further north, we had a photo op stop of which we availed ourselves:
And, for the big finish on this entry, behold, Emerald Lake:
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