Day 10 - Train/bus to Skagway

Every day is a new adventure and today was a highlight! We were picked up in our RV camp (which is not too far from downtown Whitehorse) by bus and along with about 30 other tourists, we headed off to Skagway which is south of here. We could have driven but the train ride over White Pass we heard was absolutely spectacular.

The ride in the bus down to Carcross (so named because it was on a caribou migration path) was pretty. That's one thing about the scenery on this trip, everywhere you look there is something beautiful to see. We saw a little black bear on the side of the road and stopped by another gorgeous crystal turquoise blue "marled" lake. The driver explained that the marling is caused by the sunlight hitting the glacial debris on the bottom, shallower parts of the lake. The driver was so knowledgeable and we enjoyed his commentary on the territory we were passing through.

At a little city called Frazier, just outside the US border, we boarded a restored and refinished steam engine train to head through White Pass down to Skagway. Almost every minute of this ride was awe-inspiring. The most beautiful scenery varying from the low land lakes and rivers to the highest peaks and plunging, heart-stopping views down the side of the mountain. Words fail me. It was so wonderful that all I can say is if you ever get the chance, do it yourself.

This railroad route (and part of the south Klondike Hwy) roughly follow the path of the gold miners in the 20's who headed up over the mountain heading towards Dawson City where the gold rush was in full swing. Many died enroute and it's pretty easy to see why. We are doing this in summer weather conditions and it is a brutal path. I can't imagine what it would have been like in the winter with freezing temperatures and lots of snow.

Skagway has a special place in our hearts because our dear friend Gayle lived here for some time and told us stories of her time in Skagway (I believe that would have been in the 60's). Her husband was working on the railroad and she worked in the downtown area such as it was. Today as we walked into town, we felt her spirit with us (she passed away several years ago).

The town now is mostly a tourist destination. Even though there was a cruise ship in dock, it really wasn't too crowded. We only had a couple of hours to wander around so we enjoyed a good fish meal, visited the waterfront and nosed around in a few of the restored buildings.

Then the bus took us back to our RV camp along the South Klondike Hwy back to the Alaska Hwy and back to home, sweet home (for a few days anyhow).

Tomorrow we head up to Dawson City for our last day in Yukon Territory. Yippee - we will be happy to get back to US money.

Waiting to board the train in Frazier BC

Beautifully restored and refinished interior of the train.

Past rivers, streams, mountains, wildflowers and greenery heading over to White Pass

More of the same beautiful scenery.
 

Skagway waterfront.

Walking from the train down to Skagway. Very sleepy town despite a cruise ship being in port. I think they all went somewhere else because there wasn't much action in Skagway. We enjoyed our short time there just walking around and having a good seafood meal.

Way off on the horizon between the v of the mountains is Lynn Canal