Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE CHILKOOT TRAIL
The Yukon's most famous hike starts in Alaska and ends ... in British
Columbia. The Chilkoot Trail is the route that most gold prospectors
took to cross the mountains and reach the interior lakes that fl ow into
the Yukon River. At the time, gold prospectors had to bring every-
thing they needed to survive
for a year, which meant some
800kg of equipment they
needed to carry or have car-
ried. Their goal was to arrive
at Lake Bennett in northern
British Columbia by fall to
spend the winter there. In the
spring they followed the lake
and then the river to Dawson.
Many died as a result of falling
behind schedule, because of
an accident or through simple
bad luck.
4
On the Chilkoot Trail.
© Parks Canada / Lynch, W.
Watson Lake (Yukon)
Alaska Highway. The epic story of the
famous highway comes to life through
a slide show and photographs.
Around 1897, an Englishman by the
name of Frank Watson set out from
Edmonton to lead the adventurous life
of a gold-digger in Dawson City. After
passing through regions that hadn't
even been mapped yet, he ended up
on the banks of the Liard River. He de-
cided to stop his travels there and take
up residence on the shores of the lake
that now bears his name.
The Alaska Highway Signpost
Forest
is far and away the main
attraction in Watson Lake. It is a collec-
tion of over 50,000 signs from the world
over, placed on the posts by the tourists
themselves. Some of them are highly
original. Travellers who are planning a
trip to the region can create their own
sign in advance, or have one made on
the spot for a few dollars.
A visit to the Alaska Highway
Interpretive Centre
is a must for
anyone interested in the history of the
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