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Chilkoot Pass: The Most Famous Trail in the North
This popular guide describes the history of the famous Chilkoot Trail, called "the meanest 32 miles in history, " and details equipment to take, trail etiquette, and mile-by-mile trail information for hikers.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
213 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
8 people want to read
About the author
Archie Satterfield
76 books2 followersArchie Satterfield is the author of several books about Alaska and the Klondike.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 1, 2023
A history of the Chilkoot Pass, a trail that started near Skagway in Alaska and lead to Lake Bennett in the Yukon. From Lake Bennett adventurers travelled by boats to the Klondike gold rush.
This book focuses mostly on the history of the 32 mile trail itself. The summit of the Chilkoot Pass is the site of the current border between the US and Canada, although what was Alaska and what was Canada was not clearly defined in the 1890s. The influx of people during the gold rush made establishing that border much more important.
There are dozens of photos in this book, and in a way I enjoyed them more than the text. This volume has been somewhat unevenly updated over the years, so the text is disjointed at times. The final section offers guidance to hikers today; however, I think the value in this book is the historical content.
Many adventurers never made it past Skagway or Dyea, or only made it a couple of miles up the trail before giving up. The U.S. army was brought in at one point, to maintain order and to consolidate U.S. claims to the territory.
There is also a wild story about a herd of reindeer, more than 500 of them, that were rounded up in Norway together with some Laplander herders, and shipped across the U.S. and eventually to the Yukon as a relief expedition (an early wave of prospectors didn't bring enough food with them and starvation loomed). However, by the time the reindeer arrived supply lines had been opened and ironically, most of the reindeer died or even starved to death during the arduous journey. Such were the times, though, that the arrival in Dawson City of a bunch of reindeer herded by Laplanders did not even seem that remarkable — just another day in a free-wheeling frontier town with prospectors, merchants, gamblers, and opportunists from all over the world.
And most of these people arrived over the Chilkoot Pass. And just like the reindeer, many of them didn't make it. There is a Slide Cemetery in the abandoned townsite of Dyea for the 78 travellers who died in an April avalanche in 1898.
The whole area now is a National Historical Park (in both the U.S. and Canada).
This book focuses mostly on the history of the 32 mile trail itself. The summit of the Chilkoot Pass is the site of the current border between the US and Canada, although what was Alaska and what was Canada was not clearly defined in the 1890s. The influx of people during the gold rush made establishing that border much more important.
There are dozens of photos in this book, and in a way I enjoyed them more than the text. This volume has been somewhat unevenly updated over the years, so the text is disjointed at times. The final section offers guidance to hikers today; however, I think the value in this book is the historical content.
Many adventurers never made it past Skagway or Dyea, or only made it a couple of miles up the trail before giving up. The U.S. army was brought in at one point, to maintain order and to consolidate U.S. claims to the territory.
There is also a wild story about a herd of reindeer, more than 500 of them, that were rounded up in Norway together with some Laplander herders, and shipped across the U.S. and eventually to the Yukon as a relief expedition (an early wave of prospectors didn't bring enough food with them and starvation loomed). However, by the time the reindeer arrived supply lines had been opened and ironically, most of the reindeer died or even starved to death during the arduous journey. Such were the times, though, that the arrival in Dawson City of a bunch of reindeer herded by Laplanders did not even seem that remarkable — just another day in a free-wheeling frontier town with prospectors, merchants, gamblers, and opportunists from all over the world.
And most of these people arrived over the Chilkoot Pass. And just like the reindeer, many of them didn't make it. There is a Slide Cemetery in the abandoned townsite of Dyea for the 78 travellers who died in an April avalanche in 1898.
The whole area now is a National Historical Park (in both the U.S. and Canada).
September 6, 2008
A very well-written book on the Chilkoot Pass part of the Klondike Gold Rush. Some funny and interesting stories, as well as historical photographs. I think I'm glad I read it AFTER I hiked the "hardest 33 miles in Alaska."
September 29, 2020
Packed full of fun facts and good info, buuuuuut....... Disjointed writing style is an understatement. Removing the pictures is sure to decrease the page count by half, making this one more of a pamphlet then a book. Fine for an afternoon read.
September 9, 2012
Nice piece of history if you ever held the 'Alaska, the last frontier' fantasy. The story shows how bad the economy was, which stirred a great interest in the Yukon gold. It tells the reality of what the stampeders endured in their attempt to survive, with the hope of becoming rich. There are funny anecdotes and unbelievable survivor stories.
The book was written in the 70's, I think, and ends with maps and landmarks for the new stampeders to go and witness it in person.
The book was written in the 70's, I think, and ends with maps and landmarks for the new stampeders to go and witness it in person.
August 16, 2014
I cannot comment on how good of a guide this is to the Chilkoot Trail of today, but it is an engaging introduction to the Chilkoot Pass and environs of the past. Lots of nice info on the Gold Rush history of the area.
January 2, 2011
Just back from Skagway - the book is a good companion to the trip with lots of information, but the prose is a bit heavy and I found myself rereading many sections for clarity.
April 13, 2012
A great gold rush history primer on the Chilkoot Trail. I'd love to hike this myself.
August 21, 2018
Great detail in this book-author successfully combines history with advice for those wishing to travel the route. I read an old copy; there may be an updated version
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews