Chilkoot Trail - Dyea Alaska to Bennett Lake BC

The Chilkoot Trail is a 53 kilometre (33 mile) trail through the Coast Mountains that leads from Dyea, Alaska, to Bennett Lake, British Columbia. The trail is a National Historic Site of Canada, and is part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in the United States.

 

The Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site protects this historic gateway to the Yukon once tread by Tlingit First Nation traders and Klondike gold rush prospectors. The Chilkoot Trail was designated a national historic site because of the role it played in the mass movement of people to the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890's.

 

The Chilkoot Trail is a popular trail among residents of Yukon, Alaska and  many tourists from abroad. To manage the demand for the route, to prevent overuse, and maintain the remoteness of trail, the National Park Service and Parks Canada have agreed upon a limit of 50 backpackers entering the trail a day. Because of this and the high demand, early reservations are required to ensure you get a spot.

 

The Chilkoot Trail is one of only three glacier-free corridors through the Coast Mountains between Juneau and Yakutat.

 

 

 

Elevation Profile

When you hike the Chilkoot, you will pass through spectacular and rugged terrain. The trail begins at sea level and reaches an elevation of 1074 metres (3,525 feet) at the pass.

 

 

The start of the journey!

 

"The Chilkoot should only be attempted by persons who are physically fit and experienced in hiking and backpacking. It should not be attempted by novice hikers." - Parks Canada

 

Oh well, we did it!

 


The first few Kilometres tests your abilities with a rapid elevation gain and rocks.

 

 

Board walks across wet and sensitive areas.

 

 

 

A wall tent survival cabin.

 

Across the Taiya River valley from Finnegan's Point.

A hanging glacier above your head!

 

 

The blue ice of the Irene Glacier .

 

Surviving cabins maintained by the Parks.

 

 

 

The start of the climb to the pass.

Stone cairns mark the way.

 

The final climb in view.

The Pass!

 

Scrambling over the rocks.

 

There are many abandoned artifacts along the trail.

 

Back in Canada, the Parks Canada station at the pass.

 

Celebrating our accomplishment at the Crater Lake survival cabin.

 

Hot water in thermos provided by Parks Canada Wardens.

 

Coming down the other side.

Crater Lake BC

 

Even in late August, there's still snow up this high.

 

In sensitive areas there are tent platforms.

This one is at Bare Loon Lake.

 

Morning in the cook shack with fellow hikers.

 

Trapper's cabin before Bennett Lake.

 

A happy group of hikers make the end of the trail.

 

 

 

Official Trail Web sites:


http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/yt/chilkoot/index.aspx

 

http://www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/chilkoottrail.htm

 

 

More Chilkoot Photos at
Dave Lonergan's Photostream.

 

Arabelle's blog and photos:

 

August 26th Day before planning

August 27th Skagway to Pleasant Camp

August 28th Pleasant Camp to Happy Camp

August 29th Happy camp, over the pass and Bare Loon Lake

August 30th Bare Loon Lake to Bennett Lake

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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