Skagway

1897 and to a larger extent, 1898 saw many thousands of hopeful prospectors stomping through Skagway and nearby Dyea. Of course they were in the pursuit of riches via lakes Lindeman and Bennett, headwaters of the dashing Yukon River. The Klondikers loaded their possessions onto boats bound for the gold fields some 500 miles away. A little of the wealth pulled from the ground in the clutches of miners is reconstructed within the town and is reflected in its shops, hotels and Klondike saloons. Check out the visitor's center, Captain Moore's Cabin, Mascot Saloon, Arctic Brotherhood Hall and the Trail of '98 Museum. Learn about the shyster and dealer known as Soapy Smith who formed his own private army. Both Smith and his acquaintance Frank Reid were killed in a western-style shootout and are buried in Gold Rush Cemetery.
White Pass and Yukon Railway In 1899 the journey became a lot easier with the construction of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. Today the railway still operates between Skagway and Frasier, British Columbia, Canada. Now this area is called the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park.

The White Pass and Yukon is famous as the oldest narrow-gauge railway anywhere. You will love riding the rail up mountain passes, over bridges, through tunnels and past rock walls blasted to make way for the rail. The train takes you across the border into Canada where you can de-train, breathe the fresh mountain air and then board the train to return to Skagway. MORE RAILWAY PICTURES