CC Travel Blog

May, 2008
Skaway is a small Alaskan town which its entire history was formed around gold rush. Its hay days were those when gold diggers rushed to Yukon White Pass and turned Skagway into an entrance port where lusty saloons and gang activities blossomed.

We did not book any tours for this port so for the entire day we explored the town thoroughly.

From where the cruise ship docked there was transportation provided to take passengers to downtown for free; for the more active tourists, walking to downtown is only about 15 minutes. There were free shuttles running around downtown, but the driving range was only 3-4 blocks along the main road, which wouldn’t take most people much time to walk anyway.

Skagway is such a small town that it was once burned down entirely by one fire. Since then the town men have learned the lesson and upheld strictly with the fire prevention rules. A shop owner told us that if their fire alarm’s battery failed, they would be fined for $1000 and 3 days in jail right away.

Like other ports in Alaska, Skagway downtown was flooded with jewelry and gold shops. I found the people in Skagway friendlier than those in Juneau and Ketchikan when I redeemed free gifts from shops. Compared to the other 2 ports, Skagway’s downtown buildings have more characters that almost each one of them warrants its own post card picture.

Skaway downtown in picture.

This is just a random shop building.

Can you believe this interesting building is now the visitor center?

Once upon a time, Skagway was the gateway to the White Yukon gold fever, endless salons opened to entertain the despair lonely mine workers.

Besides salons, there was also an old theatre in Skagway. Currently, they turned it into a live show to visitors to demonstrate the lives in Skagway in the gold fever days. Actors and actresses wore costumes, sang and danced. I think the theatre building itself warranted a picture of its own.

Besides the famous Skagway Brewery, Moscat Saloon and Skagway Museum in downtown, tourists who wouldn’t mind a bit walking can also explore the vicinity through some short hikes.

This is the Skagway Brewery. We tried the beer sampler, the lighter beer tasted bitter, not my cup of beer.

Below is the Moscat Salon, the ultimate one that survived after the city imposed heavy tax duty to legally force dozens of salons to close. Moscat was also where the legendary gang leader Soapy Smith hung out the most.

One of the popular hikes was Lower Dewey Lake which took us about 45 minutes round trip. The hike was strenuous with mostly uphill climbs. We did not take the full loop around the lake as it seemed rather long and confusing. The view of the lake was about average; I wouldn’t break my heart if I missed the hike.

The hike did offer the view of Skagway and the habor.

The lower part of Dewey Lake, tranquil and quiet.

The other hike was near the Gold Rush Cemetery where the old souls died during gold fever. The cemetery was located around 23rd and Broadway by some guidebook, but the actual route was to follow State Street until it reached the end and intersected with the railway. Then follow the road and lean towards the left, the road sign would turn into Klondike Hwy. Within less than 3 minutes walk, there was a sign pointing to a dirt road with another half a mile’s walk. Reid Waterfall was also near the cemetery which does not take more than 5 minute’s walk from the cemetery.

This is the biggest rock in the Gold Cemetery, and it said it was the biggest piece of gold on earth as well. I did see gold flakes from the rock, but was it real???

Besides the biggest rock, the rest of the tombs were pathetically simple and desserted. Most of the deceased died at their prime ages as well; making us to believe that these were the poor young souls coming to Skagway digging gold and seeking wealth and opportunities.

Reid Waterfall was only 2 minutes away from the cemetery and the water volume was surprisingly large. For a hot day, this could be a nice cool down area.

The only alternative transportation to that area was some street cars used by organized tours. Tour guides dressed up in local historical costume and showed around. We were at the site for about 20 minutes and we had seen 3 groups coming in, so the tours would be pretty frequent.

The tourist street car where short tours were conducted around town.

I enjoyed the thorough exploration of Skaway. Alternatively, cruisers can take the White Yukon Pass train across the Canada border for a scenic ride.