Chilkoot: Day 1

I have spent seven summers in Skagway, Alaska, and have always wanted to hike the Chilkoot Trail. This is the trail the stampeders trudged through as just part of their journey to GOLD.

Skagway is known as the "Gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush." Back in 1898 hundreds of thousands of men and women journeyed up the Lynn Canal of Southeast Alaska, landed in Skagway, and hiked for 33 miles to Lake Bennett then took a boat over six hundred miles to Dawson City, Yukon and the gold fields.

Nowadays, backpackers hike those 33 miles up over the summit of the Chilkoot into British Columbia. Not for gold, but strictly for the experience. I've wanted to hike the trail, but my best friends in town have never run in the "outdoorsy-type-crowd." I like hiking and picnicking and a little bit of park and camp. I haven't felt a backpack on my back since I was 14 when I hiked three miles downhill for church camp. I have certainly never experienced any hike as extreme as this.

Lucky for me, I now have a boyfriend who is in love with outdoor adventure, and chose to live in Alaska strictly for opportunity for exploration right in our backyard. I mentioned to him that I might want to hike the Chilkoot one day, and he started studying, planning, preparing, and gearing up for our hike. He definitely made it happen. Just hours before our chosen time of departure the weather turned ugly and a layer of fresh snow at the summit induced warnings and worries from even our most seasoned hiker pals. But Jeff was confident that we were prepared, and even though I was scared sick, I wasn't afraid that he would keep us safe.

Here we are at the trailhead. We are layered in wool and Capilene and rain gear. After a couple of miles on the trail, we had to shed some layers.

We signed into the official trail registry.

We stumbled upon so many artifacts and remnants from the last century.

After about seven miles of hiking, I got into a groove, and realized that I could probably (dare I say it?) LIKE backpacking.

Happily standing on a tent platform at Finnegan's Point.

During the Gold Rush, Canyon City was the base of tramway the miners could use to carry their goods over the Pass.

This big piece of machinery was used for that tramway.

We didn't see any bears or moose. We did see a lot of animal tracks, bear scat, and some crazy looking mushrooms.

Thirteen miles of hiking brought us to our stop for the night-Sheep Camp. Luckily, we were hiking in the off-season, so we were allowed to sleep in the warming cabins. This was a nervous night, because the next day was the day of our summit hike. The 45-degree climb up over the pass. The rock climb in the snow. The "Golden Staircase."

Last Skagway Summer

My last summer in Skagway was the most eventful and adventurous summer I've had. I feel so lucky to have an active boyfriend, who won't settle for just sitting around eating and watching TV. He keeps me constantly motivated and excited about new adventures.

Here are a few snippets of my favorite moments of my 2010 summer. I know there are a ton of pictures, but indulge me...

Jeff's handsome cat, Emile. He's very photogenic, even though he's a bit chubby.

Camping at Herbert Glacier.

The cold, roaring river and glacier mist felt refreshing after a hot, sunny hike.

Hike up to the gorgeous Salmon Creek Reservoir.

I'm pretty much pretending to fish, but it gave Jeff a chance to take some pictures.

Hiking all the way up to Devil's Punchbowl at the top of the mountain. Almost to the ice-fields.

View of my beloved Skagway.

Oscar got a little wind blown.

Holla! I did it!

After our incredible hike up the mountain, we celebrated Summer Solstice.

(I think this is a photo of us laughing at a three-legged-dog.)

Lovely hike and picnic to Sturgil's Landing, which is just south of Skagway.

Proof we were there.

My dearest friends, Aaron and Meredith kept me sane all summer.

We spent an evening wandering through Jewell Gardens, which is on the far north point of town.

Happiest 4th of July!

It was the modern day, 30th Anniversary of the Red Onion. Our float was a mini-false-front of the Red Onion building....and we won "Most Patriotic Float."

Oscar was an honorary madam. Or, I guess, "pimp."

He's a star.

My closest girls in Skagway. Margeaux & Meredith.

Southeast Alaska State Fair!

We fell in love with Haines.

I am so inspired by this sweater Aaron got at the fair. Check out that braid!

They're not the brightest geese. But are geese supposed to be smart?

Rain didn't stop us from enjoying the festivities.

After the fair we fished and camped at Chilkoot Lake.

Jeff caught a salmon, but he released it. This kind of salmon isn't very tasty.

Jeff woke up very early, and caught us breakfast.

We ate it with some scrambled eggs, and it was crazy delicious. Eating delicious breakfast outside is one of my favorite things to do.

Finished up our Haines trip hiking along the south shore.

The annual Red Onion Drag Show easily inspired the madams to dress in our own version of drag.

My friend, Don Nelson. The drag show is his favorite time of year. And YES-that's a blowup turkey attached to his head.

In Juneau, Jeff brought me to spot bears at the Mendenhall Glacier. It's like a zoo, but the bears are wild. I was scared.

Taking a picture break from spotting bears.

I am going to miss these ladies most of all. These are my dear ladies of the Red Onion. We posed for this picture right before we boarded the Carnival Ship for an end of the year soiree.

Jeff and I took a spontaneous trip to Atlin, British Columbia.

The drive was endlessly gorgeous.

Big puffy clouds and vibrant fall colors kept me wide awake and smiling.

The grizzly bear family on the side of the road made me very nervous, though.

Oscar loved the ride the most.

I have just two weeks left in town, and Jeff and I are still planning on hiking the Chilkoot trail. It is the 33 mile trek the miners took in the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. I'm a little nervous, but I think it will be the perfect culmination of the Skagway era of my life. I can't wait.