The Chilkoot Trail is the 33-mile historic trail of the Klondike Gold Rush through the Coast Mountains. It starts in Skagway, AK and completes in Bennet, B.C. Although not a very long trail, it is a difficult trail and was comfortably done in about 5 days. Consider yourself lucky to have good weather–and be prepared for wet and COLD conditions! We saw several people struggling to stay warm, and one man in pre-hypothermic conditions. Be prepared, or go with someone experienced.

I was lucky enough to be able to join a crazy group of Alaskans through my friend Sierra, which left no moments boring.

To prepare:  Get a permit online. You will have to collect your permit and get the talk from the forest ranger at the permit station in Skagway. Permits are issued at the Trail Center in Skagway. The Trail Center is on Broadway between 5th and 6th Avenues.

You will also want to buy a train ticket from Bennet to Skagway for the last day of your hike, so you aren’t stranded there (as there is nothing in Bennet besides a lake, campsite, and some old buildings). You buy a cheap ticket to sit in the back of the scenic railway tour to return back to Skagway.

Our Itinerary: (thanks to Rain for making a kickass itinerary)
DAY 1: Hike 7.7 miles to CANYON CITY CAMP
DAY 2: Hike 6 miles to SHEEP CAMP
DAY 3: Hike 7 miles over Golden Staircase to HAPPY CAMP
DAY 4: Hike 9 miles to BARE LOON LAKE CAMP
DAY 5: Hike 4 miles to BENNET—DONE!