Hike the Chilkoot Trail

Scenery!! As you cross the Chilkoot Pass into Canada, the view into the valley and Crater Lake is breathtaking. For most of the trail, you can look in any direction and see a view that is awe-inspiring. If you're lucky and quiet, you might see a grizzly walking along 'at a distance'.

Quick Tips:

Don't go out and buy thousands of dollars' worth of gear. The Mountain Hideout in Skagway will rent you all the gear you will need to hike the trail. Stay out of the Red Onion; if you want to drink with frontier people, try Moe's Frontier Bar.

Best Way To Get Around:

Skagway is a small town, and everything is within walking distance. It's 9 miles from Skagway to the Chilkoot Trail Head (Dyea), so you'll need to take a cab or arrange a ride from your innkeeper.

The White House was built in 1902 and served as an old WWII hospital that burned down. Innkeepers John and Jan Tronrud, longtime Skagway locals, bought and renovated the property in the '90s. The rooms are beautiful and have a country feel that is far more charming than staying at a chain hotel. Jan and John bend over backwards to make your stay as comfortable and interesting as possible. The Inn is a five-minute walk to historic downtown Skagway.

The Chilkoot Trail is a moderate hike that most people cover in 3 to 5 days. The first 10 miles winds slowly through forest, heading uphill to The Scales, which was a staging point for the climb to the summit. When you look up from The Scales, it is an awe-inspiring site, and I wondered how I was going to get up it. The summit climb is difficult but not technical, and after walking all day, it feels good to use your hands and do some scrambling up a wall of huge boulders. Once over the summit, the trail gets a bit easier as you enter Canada and work your way down the other side of the pass.

The first camping area after summit is Happy Camp, and most people stop here for the best night’s sleep of their lives. The last 13 miles you descend below the tree line and are rewarded with spectacular views of glaciers, rivers, and wildlife. Once you reach Bennett, you catch a steam train back to Skagway, which is an experience in itself.