Alaska Adventure – Skagway 

After arriving in the Port of Skagway, we disembarked and climbed aboard a coach for a ride to the train station to take a ride on the White Pass Scenic Railway.

Built in 1898 as a way to expedite travel during the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad is a three-foot-wide narrow-gauge railroad that climbs from sea level to almost 3,000 feet in the first 20 miles. An engineering marvel, it features two tunnels and travels over sky-high trestles and bridges. Considered an impossible feat, the railway was completed in 26 months by blasting through the mountains with 450 tons of explosives. The 110-mile railroad was officially completed when a final golden spike was hammered into place on July 29, 1900, in Carcross, Yukon. The route continued operation until 1982, and in 1988 was partially revived as a heritage railway.  In 1988 it was purchased by Carnival Corporation & plc, the parent company of Princess Cruises, and has been delighting riders ever since!  

It has been fully restored with comfortable passenger coaches featuring large picture windows and are pulled by diesel locomotives. 

As we travelled along, there was narration provided highlighting the scenic views and historical significance of the train.  

While there were beautiful views, the overcast skies kept the sun from shining limiting the grandeur of the vistas we could see.  However, there was beauty all around with waterfalls, mountains and lakes but alas, no roaming herds of animals to see.  

The train starts Skagway and makes its return trip after a stop in Fraser British Columbia.   After having our passports checked, by Canadian officials, we started back to Skagway.  

The train does a loop so we weren’t seeing the same vistas on the return trip.  Naturally, when we reached Skagway, US Customs officials made sure we all had the proper passport to return.

A quick ride in our couch, brought us to Dredge Town where we panned for gold!  Dredge Town is the site of a gold rush era operation that was in operation until the late 1950’s.  

Our guides, dressed in character, showed us how the dredge operated and how individuals panned for gold (and still do) along the stream beds of the region.

After being taught by the “crusty old prospector”, we gathered our pan and began to swish and swirl in our own pool of water!  

After doing all the gyrations, we ended up with about 8 or 9 gold flecks in the bottom of the pan.  

After taking our treasure to the assayer, we learned we had $39 worth of gold!  

After learning the value of our treasure, we ventured over to the dining hall for a smoked BBQ lunch including ribs, chicken and various side dishes.   

Our day complete, and $39 richer, we went back to town and rejoined the ship.