DESTINATIONS -
Backpacking
the Chilkoot trail
2006 Dates
June 24- July 01
Trip Overview
Many
people are drawn to the Chilkoot Trail because of its fascinating past
plus its superbly picturesque corridor of biodiversity. The 53 km (33 miles) long historical trail provides a unique
opportunity to travel by foot through history and three distinct eco-zones – coastal
rainforest, alpine tundra and boreal forest. The Chilkoot Trail has
gone through many incarnations, it began as a trade route used by
the Tlingit and the Tagish Natives. Later prospectors traveled it on their
way to and from the northern interior. It became internationally renowned
from 1897 to 1900, when 30,000 to 50,000 fortune seekers used the trail to
gain access to the headwaters of the Yukon River leading to the Klondike
goldfields.
Long daylight hours of a northern summer allow for a wonderfully relaxed
pace, though the trail offers a challenging backcountry experience in the
rugged terrain of the Coast Mountains. An adventure often made
additionally challenging by severe weather conditions. It is not a trip
for the unfit or ill prepared.
What's
Included
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Van shuttle between Whitehorse, Yukon and Skagway, Alaska.
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Van shuttle to the trailhead at Dyea, Alaska.
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Historic train shuttle from the end of the trail to Skagway on the White Pass and Yukon Route Scenic Railway
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Professional guide
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Tents, stoves, pots, cooking utensils, camp fuel, group tarp, water purifier, permit and camping fees
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Pre-trip planning & preparation consultation one month prior to trip
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Transportation to & from Whitehorse, Yukon. Flights are approximately $500 - $700. (Air North, Air Canada)
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Pre and post accommodation in Whitehorse. We recommend booking in advance
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One night hotel in Skagway, to allow a dry environment to repack and prepare for the next day’s journey,
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All meals including snacks and beverages. Suppers and breakfasts are shared among the group, you can anticipate supplying at least one breakfast and 1 supper to feed 4 people.
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Homemade gourmet backpacking meals may be purchased from Nomadic Routes Inc. (one months notice required).
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Sleeping bag, Therm-a-Rest or sleeping pad, personal clothing including rain jacket and pants.
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65-75 liter internal frame backpack lined with a sturdy garbage bag and 2 – 3 water bottles.
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Sturdy, lightweight, waterproofed and broken in hiking boots.
To View Larger Map Click Here
Itinerary:
Day
1
Meet in Whitehorse and travel by van to Skagway, Alaska (3-4
hours). We will have time to check into our accommodation, explore Skagway
and enjoy dinner at a local purveyor of fine food.
Day
2 - 6 Five days backpacking on the Chilkoot Trail. We
begin our trek from Dyea and
camp at pre-determined sites along the route. We will average 10-12
kilometers per day and end at Lake Bennett.
Day
7
Sleep in day! You will have time to explore artifacts, and
orgainize all your equipment before our 1:00 pm departure on White Pass
and Yukon Route scenic railway from Lake Bennett to Skagway.
Arrive in Skagway at approximately 4 – 4:30 pm). Return by van to
Whitehorse at about 9:00 p.m. There is a 1 hour time change difference
between Alaska and Yukon.
Parks Canada advises:
“The Chilkoot should only be attempted by persons who are physically fit and experienced in hiking and backpacking. Individuals who have previously injured their ankles, knees or back, or who have chronic pain frequently experience flare-ups while hiking the Chilkoot. To avoid unnecessary problems test your strength and endurance on shorter, less demanding overnight trips prior to hiking the Chilkoot. The Chilkoot Trail is isolated, strenuous, physically challenging and potentially hazardous".
The
Chilkoot Trail traverses rocky and sometimes very steep snow covered
terrain. The trail can be rough with deep mud, standing water, unstable
boulders, slick rocks and roots making footing difficult. The portion of
the hike from the Scales over Chilkoot Pass is a route not a trail. While
the route is marked, extreme weather conditions can complicate route
finding. This route is delineated by rock cairns and orange markers. Even
so, extreme weather conditions may complicate route finding.
"Crossing the Pass" may be your most demanding day. Some hikers
need 12+ hours to travel from Sheep Camp to Happy Camp, a distance of only
12.2 km (7.5 miles) with an elevation gain of ~2500 ft. Some hikers are
challenged by vertigo or by balancing on unstable slippery snow and rocks,
as they carry their pack and body weight up to and down the pass.
Snowfields between the Scales and Happy Camp persist throughout the summer
months. Be prepared to camp on snow at Happy Camp until late June/early
July.”
A detailed itinerary is part of the custom information package prepared for every Nomadic Routes Tour. (See What’s Included). Also included is a detailed description of how to get to the point of origin of each specific tour. Just email us at info@nomadicroutes.com or call (403) 807-3700.
