Footsteps of the Klondike > Point-form Itinerary
On this 14-day wilderness adventure you will retrace the route of the historic Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, and experience the spell of the Yukon in much the same way as the original stampeders did on “the trail of 98”. This tour is for people who want to challenge themselves physically and be rewarded in a way that only human-powered wilderness travel can.
First on foot you will hike the historic Chilkoot Trail, and then by canoe you will paddle on the mighty Yukon River, arriving by water to Dawson City. There you will get a chance to discover the charms of this once bustling gold rush city of 30,000 people, now home to just 1000 hearty residents. You will hike and paddle your way into the fascinating history that was the Klondike Gold Rush. Your historic journey unfolds against the backdrop of a majestic beauty spanning from costal Alaska to the Yukon’s interior. From the barren and haunting beauty of the mountain pass on the Chilkoot Trail, to the noble majesty of the broad and swift-flowing Yukon River, your adventure will carry you through a great northern wilderness that remains almost unchanged in appearance since the gold seekers packed their loads of provisions through this land, more than a century ago!
Day 0:
- Please arrive in Whitehorse in time for an orientation meeting at 7:00 pm the night before our departure. Guests are responsible for accommodation and meals while in Whitehorse, but we will gladly book your hotel room upon request.
Day 1:
- Depart Whitehorse by 8:00 am and drive 2 hours south to Skagway Alaska (Passport Required for Border Crossing)
- Visit National Park office, obtains trail permits, transfer to Dyes by van, and begin hiking on the Chilkoot Trail
- Hike to Finnegan's Point Camp
Day 2:
- Hike to Sheep Camp, climbing 225m (750 ft) and travelling 11.2 km (7 miles) passing the Canyon City Ruins, and Pleasant Camp
- View hanging glaciers
Day 3:
- Hike approximately 14.1 km (8.7 miles) and climb around 840 m (2750 ft)
- Climb out of the Pacific Northwest Rainforest, up the Golden Staircase and over the Chilkoot Pass while hiking on summer snowpack
- Descend to "Happy Camp" passing Summit Lake in the alpine
Day 4:
- Today you will hike 8.8 km (5.5 miles) and make an overall descent of 244m (800ft) hiking past Long Lake, Deep Lake, before reaching Lindeman City
- Visit the interpretive Chilkoot Trail information at Lindeman City
Day 5:
- Today you will hike 11.3 km (7 miles) to arrive at Bennet Lake, end of the Chilkoot Trail
Day 6:
- Ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Train to Carcross Yukon, following the shores of Bennet Lake
- Van Shuttle from Carcross to your hotel room in Whitehorse ( dinner is not included tonight)
Day 7:
- Breakfast at hotel (included)
- two-hour van shuttle north on the Klondike Highway to Carmacks
- Paddle our 18-foot cedar canoes north and then camp on the Yukon River
Day 8-13:
- Yukon River Trip (travel and rest schedules will be determined by your guide based on the needs of the group and weather) - During these seven days on the river we will see The Five Finger Rapids, Fort Selkirk, and numerous other historical locations along the river.
Day 14:
- Paddle in to Dawson City by 10:00 am. Sightseeing in Dawson City
- Depart Dawson City by early afternoon. Six-hour van shuttle to Whitehorse
- Dinner in Carmacks on the way to Whitehorse. Transfer to your hotel (not included)
* Clients are welcome to remain in Dawson City in order to continue their explorations of the Yukon from there. There are several days worth of activities to enjoy in and around Dawson City and several options for getting return transportation to Whitehorse at a latter date.
Visit the Parks Canada web site for more Information on hiking the Chilkoot Trail.
Please Note: This trip operates in an expedition format and due to the variables of weather, and the needs and safety of the participants, Cabin Fever Adventures can not guarantee that the itinerary will proceed as listed above. The itinerary may be modified at the discretion of the guide.
Cabin Fever Adventures
expressly suggests that participants book at least one additional day
in the Yukon at the end of their trip to avoid problems associated with
delays such as, but not limited to:
- Delayed air charters (inclement weather, wild-fire smoke)
- Delayed transportation (mechanical breakdown, unsafe road conditions or closures)
- Delay of wilderness itinerary (inclement weather, wind-bound, injury, illness)
Cabin Fever Adventures can not be held responsible for any expenses you may incur associated with delays of our wilderness trips. Delays could be several days in length under severe circumstances.
What if this itinerary doesn’t quite fit your needs? Cabin Fever Adventures is more than willing to modify an itinerary to fit your needs. We can:
- Add time to the trip for greater leisure, fishing opportunities, photography etc.
- Some trips can be safely shortened in length of time, assuming clients are willing to expend more effort paddling, hiking or cycling as required by the itinerary.
- Some routes can be shortened in terms of distance.
- Combine this trip with other Yukon attractions and or wilderness activities. View Yukon-Wide Slideshow
- Book your hotel rooms (at a discount) for the night before and after you Cabin Fever Adventures vacation and add this to your bill.
