Thursday, October 16, 2014

Get Into The Pioneer Spirit With Skagway Private Tours

By Patty Goff


There are many places in the United States where you can still get into the spirit of those early settlers who came to tame the land and seek the American Dream. One of these places is the state of Alaska, the Frontier State. It's renowned for its stunning scenery and the chance to explore the wilderness like people did a century or two ago. With Skagway private tours, you can follow in those pioneers' footsteps and enjoy one of the most beautiful corners of the USA.

The town of Skagway is quite small and normally doesn't even have a thousand residents. It lies at a fjord in Alaska's southeast, making it a gateway to the Klondike. Juneau, the Alaskan capital, lies to the southeast.

The area was first inhabited by people known as the Tlingit. However, in 1887 a retired ship's captain built himself a homestead here. He was called William Moore and you can still visit the cabin he built. Moore suspected that there could be gold nearby and within years he was proven right. The town boomed during the Klondike Gold Rush and many historic buildings still stand. The Skagway Museum provides a more general history of the town but for more about the gold-rush era, visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the Mascot Saloon Museum.

The miners didn't stay in town all the time but traveled along trails through the wilderness to where the goldfields were. Get a knowledgeable guide and follow in their footsteps with one of the two most popular trails here. The White Pass Trail leads to some gorgeous lakes while the Chilkoot Trail takes you to Dyea, which is now pretty much a ghost town.

A very popular attraction is the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. It's a good way to enjoy the scenery without putting in too much effort. For a different view, consider spoiling yourself with a helicopter ride. Another great way to spend a day is to take the ferry through the Tayia Inlet and on to Haines. The landscape is one of steep cliffs and in the water you might be able to spot whales and seals.

Alaska is often associated with snow and you'll indeed find snow in the area during the winter months. However, to fully appreciate the beauty of the area and to enjoy the outdoors, it's better to come in the warmer, drier summertime. Bear in mind though that this is high season and cruise ships bring thousands of day trippers.

You can reach the town by cruise ship or by taking the ferry route of the Alaska Marine Highway, which connects the town to places like Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and Haines. Otherwise, fly in from Juneau. You can also drive in along the Klondike Highway via Canada.

To find a private tour of the area, simply look online. There are several tour operators and they offer everything from guided walks through the historic part of town to adventure excursions into the wilderness. You can even go panning for gold. Remember though to book well in advance if you're planning on visiting during the high season.




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