The Expedition School and The Crossings invite you on an epic backpacking journey that retraces the prospector's steps of the Klondike Gold rush in 1898. Your guide, Chilkoot Trail Park Ranger Seth Plunkett, is in his element—reciting Robert Service poems and revealing history while trekking through jaw dropping scenery of glaciers and mountains. This trip is ideal for adults over the age of 16. Level of difficulty is intermediate.
Your journey begins in Skagway, Alaska—the gateway to the Klondike Gold rush of 1898. You will begin hiking at sea level amongst temperate rainforest. You'll follow the Taya Inlet, then head up through the alpine forests, passing breathtaking views of the lakes in the boreal forest of Canada.
At the end of this 33- mile trek, you'll board the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad , which will take you to the scenic Laughton Glacier. There you will spend one day learning the basics of glacier travel within the Tongass National Forest under a US forest Service Special Use Permit. After your training on the ice, you'll travel again by rail back to Skagway.
Treat yourself to a hot shower, enjoy a celebratory evening at the Historic Red Onion Saloon, and get some well-deserved rest at the wonderful bed and breakfast.
Skills Gained
- Multi-day backpacking
- How to stay comfortable in the wilderness
- 1898 Gold Rush History
- Backcountry cooking
- Flora and fauna identification
- Bear safety
- Wilderness skills and ethics
- Leave No Trace ethics
- Glacier trekking
- Glaciology
Program Highlights
- Backpack the historic Chilkoot Trail on a 33-mile hike that retraces the prospector’s steps in search for gold.
- View archaeological artifacts throughout the hike.
- Stay in a locally owned and operated bed and breakfast.
- Learn basic glacier travel techniques.
- Enjoy a train ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, known as the "scenic railway of the world."