Camera: Nikon F90     Lens: Nikkor F-AF 3.5-4.5/28-70mm     Film: Agfa RS100     Date: 21.09.1992

Start of the Chilkoot Trail, Dyea, Alaska

Before the 1880s, the Chilkoot Trail was an important, closely guarded trade route of the Tlingit people. It was one of only three ways to cross the Coast Mountains that could be used year round. As the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1896, many of the stampeders headed to the Chilkoot trailhead in Dyea for their arduous 53km journey over the Chilkoot Pass to Bennett Lake. The stories of the Chilkoot Trail are legendary, so of course we wanted to hike at least part of it to Finnegan’s Point. Soon after the sign, the trail follows the shoulder of the Taiya River, which at this time in mid-September was teeming with salmon. We saw a number of dead, half-eaten fish along the river bank indicating the presence of bears. Soon we also found their size 20 footprints in the muddy parts of the trail. Time for us to abandon our hike and turn around to the safety of our camper.