http://www.alaskaportreviews.com/Skagway.htm
My favorite thing to do is to hike up to Lower Dewey Lake. Lower Dewey lake resides on the other side of the mountain that soars straight up from the Lynn Canal. It is a pristine environment that seems far away from any town or civilization but is really an easier hike that only takes an hour or so. I will caution folks that the climb up the face of the mountain, while well marked, is quite steep and may wind some folks if they are out of shape.
Take your time on the way up as the way down is a breeze. To find the trailhead simply go east from the train station to where you cross over the stream that empties into the bay. Turn left and follow the train tracks about 200 yards until you come to the sign announcing the various trails you can hike from here. There are trail maps in the box marking the beginning of the trail. As you proceed up the hill you will see some stairs that go under the big water pipe that carriers Skagway's water supply from Lower Dewey Lake.
Proceed down the stairs, under the pipe and follow the trail until you go through the bogs and come upon Lower Dewey Lake. It is simply beautiful. One can find more information about Skagway's hiking trails at the national Forest office in the visitor's center downtown at the corner of 2nd and Broadway. There are several hikes that can easily be done during the ship's visit.
Also, take the short hike up to Upper Reid falls.
My favorite thing to do is to hike up to Lower Dewey Lake. Lower Dewey lake resides on the other side of the mountain that soars straight up from the Lynn Canal. It is a pristine environment that seems far away from any town or civilization but is really an easier hike that only takes an hour or so. I will caution folks that the climb up the face of the mountain, while well marked, is quite steep and may wind some folks if they are out of shape.
Take your time on the way up as the way down is a breeze. To find the trailhead simply go east from the train station to where you cross over the stream that empties into the bay. Turn left and follow the train tracks about 200 yards until you come to the sign announcing the various trails you can hike from here. There are trail maps in the box marking the beginning of the trail. As you proceed up the hill you will see some stairs that go under the big water pipe that carriers Skagway's water supply from Lower Dewey Lake.
Proceed down the stairs, under the pipe and follow the trail until you go through the bogs and come upon Lower Dewey Lake. It is simply beautiful. One can find more information about Skagway's hiking trails at the national Forest office in the visitor's center downtown at the corner of 2nd and Broadway. There are several hikes that can easily be done during the ship's visit.
Also, take the short hike up to Upper Reid falls.
Corrington's Museum of Alaskan History
ReplyDeleteCategory: Monument + Museum
Broadway & 5th, Skagway, AK 99840
907.983.2637
On our cruise ship stop in Skagway on 6/27/06, I visited this museum and gallery. This free museum is itself well worth the visit, but the jewelry and other Alaskan art is very reasonably priced. My friend bought two beautiful mammoth ivory necklaces,
http://www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm
ReplyDeleteHistoric District Walking Tours
45 minute Ranger-led walking tours of the Skagway Historic District
WHEN: Early May - Late September
TIMES: Daily 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM and 3 PM
WHERE: Free tickets available at the Visitor Center, 2nd Avenue and Broadway. Walks are limited to 30 participants. Tours are given on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Skagway is proud of the role it played as the jumping-off point for the Klondike Gold Rush, and there is plenty of memorabilia from this period at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Located in town, this is a good spot for kids. In addition to the displays of artifacts, there is a 30-minute movie. The scenes of long lines of gold seekers trying to make their way through steep, narrow, muddy passes were memorable. The park rangers at the visitors' center offer a Klondike Kids Junior Ranger program, which includes an activity booklet and a list of things to do in order to earn a Junior Ranger badge. (My daughter's is still in her memory box.
ReplyDeleteIf your family likes to hike, check out Lower and Upper Dewey Lakes trail. The trailhead is located at the end of 2nd Avenue along the railroad tracks, not far from the visitors' center. This hike is mostly uphill; however, my daughter made it all the way to Lower Dewey Lake. While she and I headed back down the trail to town, my husband continued on to Upper Dewey Lake. He said that while the hike was very challenging, the spectacular mountain and lake views were much more rewarding than at Lower Dewey Lake. The visitors' center should have a map of local trails.
If hiking is not your style, your children might enjoy Jewell Gardens, which includes a variety of lush plants and flowers as well as a miniature town and train.