Our travels: Cruise day 4

It was an early start to the day. We docked an hour earlier than scheduled but there was no trouble getting up and getting going. Quick breakfast and off the ship by 7.30. There were a lot of people milling around looking for their tour, but no sign of ours. After a few moments of concern we saw a couple arrive who actually looked like they fitted the bill and sure enough it was Dyea Dave.

We were on a small bus with 10 others who were all off another ship in port. Our driver Janine was very lively and funny. She pointed out places of interest in town and briefly described the history of Skagway as we went along. We stopped off at the Gold Rush Cemetery where so many miners and their families and children were buried. It was a beautiful spot, hidden away in the forest. There was a short walk up to a waterfall too which was lovely.

Then it was on and up towards the Yukon. There were many view points and places of interest along the way. We stopped at Pitchfork Falls and Bridal Veil Falls tumbling down the sides of the mountain.

Pitchfork Falls which is used to provide hydro power in the summer months

Bridal Veil Falls

Sign at the border crossing

We passed through the border into Canada with only minimal delay. The customs post is actually way into British Columbia.

Modern-day rock piles

Some colour in an otherwise barren landscape

There was evidence of the former silver mining activities with timber structures here and there showing how the ore was taken out of the mountain and down to the lake to be shipped to Dawson City deep in the Yukon. No wildlife to speak of except for some mountain goats way up high in the mountains. In the higher parts there were areas where the trees are testament to the constant force of the wind with foliage on one side of the tree only. It would be a very desolate place in winter.

We followed the shore of Tutshi Lake for some while then came to Bove Island.

Early explorers thought they would be safe setting camp on an island, but discovered that grizzly bears can swim!!!!

Bove Island

Then it was on to Carcross where we stopped for lunch. This was a lovely old, frontier town with lots of timber buildings many of which are more than 100 years old.

Gosh! An Arctic Explorer! Oh no, it's just Ian all rugged up

Some beautiful and unusual artwork in Carcross

After wandering around the town for a while after lunch, we were back on the bus to take the short drive up to see Emerald Lake. This was truly a special place. Such extraordinary colour; a very aptly named lake.

Emerald Lake. Pictures do not do it justice.

We were due back at Fraser at 2.45 so we had to beat it back to the station there to get on the White Pass and Yukon Railway back to Skagway.

This railway was built 100 years ago and the journey was amazing. As is so often the case photos don’t do justice to seeing the real thing, but I hope you can get an idea of how astonishing this journey was.

An original bridge across a valley - now no longer in usee

Across the valley you can see the road

Memorial to some workers who died building the railway

Back in Skagway, we still had lots of time to look around the town. A very quirky place with lots of character. Again the town relies heavily on tourism. In winter there are only about 200 permanent residents. This number swells to about 800 in the summer.