Hiking the Chilkoot Trail
August 1-10, 1998

We hiked the Chilkoot Trail for the second time on the 100th anniversary of the Yukon Gold Rush. Remember the famous photo of miners hauling 100+ pound packs of gear and supplies one step at a time up the "Golden Staircase" into Canada? I only carried 30 pounds or so, but it seemed plenty heavy. We were amazed that ten years ago we'd hiked the whole 33 miles in just three days! This time we took five days, and spent lots of time resting and exploring.

The photo shows me with a friend at the top of the pass. In 1898, a large number of stampeders packed canvas boats to the top of the pass. The Canadian Mounties considered them unsafe and didn't allow them into the country. They're still there, and just below the top weathered layer, the canvas is good. I think the Mounties may have been wrong in this case. Any canvas that can last 100 years is pretty sturdy.

The weather was sunny throughout the trip, a rarity in the Coastal Range. We thoroughly enjoyed the company of four other brave friends. Several more had planned to come on the hike, but canceled, leaving Dennis as the only guy, with five ladies and two dogs! Goldie wore a backpack and carried not only his dog food, but our trash.

It was our last hike over the Chilkoot. The weather and company was so great we couldn't hope for a better hike.