May 28 -- Skagway and Train to the Yukon


Skagway and Train to the Yukon
The ship docked about an hour later than originally scheduled, which changed our disembarkation time by about 30 minutes.  By 8 am, we were in the line for the motor coach, which takes us to the White Pass and Yukon Route RR station in Skagway.  The narrow gauge line dates back to the Yukon Gold Rush beginning 120 miles of track in 1898 and finishing 2 years and 2 months later  on July 29 1900.  It climbs almost 3,000 feet at the summit in just 20 miles and has steep grades of almost 3.9%.  After the gold rush ended the railroad was still used to carry ore and concentrates to Skagway for loading onto ore ships.  It played a role in WWII by serving as a supplier for the US Army’s Alaska Highway construction project.  After shutting down in the 1980’s due to the plummeting prices of metal prices, it reinvented itself in 1988 as a tourist attraction that it is today to transport visitors between Skagway and White Pass Summit.  Our trip was 27.7 miles in length from Skagway to Fraser, British Columbia
Our Trip Map to Fraser, B.C.
through the mountains with fabulous views of the mountains, waterfalls, and mountain terrain.  









At Glacier point, 4 hikes disembarked to do a hike to a glacier.

At some of the bends, we could catch views of the engines and part of the train and the track.  All was very spectacular.

All the views were just fantastic, including those of the old trestle for the train.






In Fraser we were met by the motor coach and transported into Canada.   





Arrived in the Yukon
 Along the way we saw 3 black bear, which were fairly elusive, and a mountain goat high up on the size of the mountain. Our final stop being Caribou Crossing and lunch. Here there was a museum of the NW Territory Mounted Police and another of animals (present and past) of the region.  In addition, there were lots of mosquitoes.  Olivia, Gavin, and James would have enjoyed seeing all these animals; not the mosquitoes.  







We did make a stop further down the road to see Emerald Lake, which owes its color to the calcium carbonate (maul) on the lake floor.   
Emerald Lake
Then we headed back to Saginaw.  Along the way, we spotted a grizzly bear feeding along the road and the drive did a U-turn to permit us to get a great view.   

All was going great until, unfortunately, the bus hit a big pot, which knocked out part of the power system so the bus could only go about 5 miles/hr.  The bus driver was able to get us to the “suspension bridge” attraction site, where the transport company made arrangements for us to stay while another bus and mechanic came out from Saginaw.   

Within 45 minutes they arrived and we were loaded onto another bus.  The mechanical looked at the other bus and got it going.  Probably it had some safety circuit and he was able to reset it.  At any rate, we were able to proceed and got back to Saginaw about 5 pm (1-1/2 hrs later than originally scheduled)  

Back Home :-)
Fortunately, we don’t set sail until 8:30 pm, but by using an excursion tour from the ship we were protected.
Again, we had a spectacularly beautiful day – temperatures in the lower 70’s with clear skies.  The Alaskans were so thankful that we brought all this good weather.  Two weeks ago it was a time of constant rain.  Needless to say, we are so happy “we brought the weather” too.  The day with all its scenery was absolutely fabulous.  Tomorrow, we are off to Glacier Bay.

Comments

  1. EmilyMay 30, 2017 at 7:29 PM

    So glad you are having such a wonderful time. I am loving reading the blog and keeping up with your adventures! Glad the bus problem wasn't too bad!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. TheChemistryOfBeerJune 1, 2017 at 6:18 PM

    I would have walked back after seeing that trestle bridge.

    ReplyDelete

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