Doug Eads

This charming small turn-of-the-century looking boardwalk town is just what you expect of a robust pioneer mining town spirit. There is nothing pretensive or theme-park-like about Skagway ... it is the way it was, and is. The year-round population of Skagway is a mere 3500 souls, but in summer with additional employees plus visitors, numbers soar.

Skagway is an indigenous term for windy valley ... and both times we have visited her, she lives up to that reputation. The don't dare miss option for Skagway and all Alaskan towns is of course shopping in the local boutiques, but for an adventure ... the White Pass Railway. The route up the gold-rush heartache trail is one of the world’s most scenic and spectacular.

The narrow gauge tracks climb above the tree line winding over steep gorges, and passing waterfalls and tall trestle bridges ... it is worth two or more rolls of film. With steady nerves you are allowed to stand between train cars for your dramatic photos as the train rounds bends over deep canyons. Your trek takes you into the Yukon and British Columbia area of Canada.  You have two tour options ... return by train or take the scenic bus which stops at Liar’s town.

Liar’s town is situated near Skagway and is where the miners camped before heading upward to look for gold. Over 40,000 climbed, many died, over 3000 horses died trying to carry the loads, and in total 30 million dollars were spent by crazed gold-frenzied miners to find nuggets. Gold was found, and 300 or so became rich, but only 10 million dollars of gold was produced ... thus more was spent than found and this defines the gold-craze. It was called Liar’s town because the reporters were too afraid to make the arduous trek, thus they remained in camp creating stories ... and thus fueled the frenzy further. Skagway? ... you will fall in love with her!

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