My Alaska Cruise Adventure: Skagway’s Chilkoot Trail

Posted by Travel Writer Mom at 18 July, 2012, 9:07 pm

I’ve been cruising through Alaska on a media trip hosted by Princess Cruises, and reporting along the way. Yesterday we reached our first port, Skagway, where we hiked, floated and dog mushed.

Skagway is an adorable old Gold Rush town. Many of the buildings date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. As you walk the very well- preserved streets, it’s easy to imagine life in the mining days.

Skagway’s Chilkoot Trail

When choosing our excursions for Skagway, I wanted to find a really challenging hike. I picked the Chilkoot Trail Hike and Raft. Miners once climbed this trail–33 miles in total–over steep and treacherous elevations to reach their mining sites way up north. They traveled in thin leather shoes, with heavy packs on their backs. We got to wear modern-day Gortex and sturdy hiking boots, as we attempted just the first two miles of the route along the Taiya River.

Our guide, Kate, led the way.

We traipsed through the woods and up steep rock steps.

After we crested the trail, we looped back down to the river, where our raft awaited.

And we had a most relaxing float back to the trailhead, passing eagles’ nests and beaver dams as Kate did all the paddling. I’m pretty sure miners never had life this good.