"Chilkoot Pass, Alaska"

The historical photo above was the primary trail to get into the gold fields of the Yukon. The Klondike Gold rush had begun on August 16, 1869 on the Bonanza Creek.  This is near Dawson.   Thousands of miners climbed the trail in winter because it was easier to traverse when the ice was firm.  Gold miners had to take two tons of food and gear each over the 3057 ft high pass.  The last 900 ft was the most dramatic with the last rest-stop at "The Scales". The wealthier individuals paid 1  1/2 cent a pound to have their gear transported. It is a recreation opportunity today controlled by the US and Canadian Park Service.  The climb up "the scales" at the end of this valley is about 45 degrees with boulders the size of a Volkswagen visable in the summer.