Skagway, Alaska offers rich attractions for those interested in history, architecture, photography, sailing, hiking, and wildlife, with September being an excellent time for birdwatching and outdoor exploration.americancruiselines+3

Historical Interest

Skagway is celebrated for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park preserves authentic artifacts, historic buildings, and trail sites like the White Pass and Chilkoot trails, which reveal stories of everyday life, transportation, and adventure during the gold rush. Visitors can experience historic downtown Skagway with museums and streetcar tours featuring guides in period costume.npshistory+1

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park at Skagway, Alaska is administered in concert with one in Seattle, Washington.

An “All-Klondike” Town

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Descriptions of Seattle from 1897 and 1898 share a common theme: a sense of energy and purpose had gripped the city. After years of depression, the stampede to the Klondike invigorated the economy, rekindling the Seattle spirit. As was the case with many gold rushes throughout the West, it was generally not the miners who struck it rich. The business district — centered around what is now Pioneer Square — flourished, as thousands of gold seekers bound for the Yukon poured into the city, and a variety of merchants stepped forward to meet their needs.

One observer, returning to Seattle after a seven-month absence in the late 1890s, marveled that the sluggish, stagnant town he left bustled with new prosperity. “Up First Avenue and down Second Avenue is one train of fanciful, kaleidoscopic pictures from real life,” he wrote. “The stores are ablaze with Klondike goods; men pass by robed in queer garments; … teams of trained dogs, trotting about with sleds; men with packs upon their backs, and a thousand and one things which are of use for the Klondike trade.” [1] Martha Louise Black, a prospector headed for the Yukon, had a similar reaction to Seattle’s streets. “Everywhere were piles of outfits,” she recalled. These included camp supplies, sleds, carts, and harnesses, together with dogs, horses, cattle, and oxen. [2] The increased commercial activity affected the mood of the city. As one miner summarized, “We found no discouragement in Seattle. This town of thirty to forty thousand was all Klondike.” [3] 

So profitable was the Klondike trade that during the late 1890s Seattle became the financial center of the Pacific Northwest. [4] By 1900 Seattle’s bank clearances — the amount of money that changed hands in the daily course of the city’s commercial life — had soared more than 400 percent, surpassing those of Portland and Los Angeles. At the turn of the century, only San Francisco enjoyed a greater volume of business among West Coast cities. Seattle bankers attributed this prosperity to the gold rush. [5] The city’s merchants, too, remained well aware of the source of their profits. Wa Chong & Company, for example, reported in 1898 that “times are very good…. Klondike gold has helped things very much.” [6] 

The amount and variety of goods in a typical Klondike grubstake boosted numerous businesses in Seattle. During the winter of 1898, the Northwest Mounted Police required that each miner bring enough provisions to last a year, which could weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds. The “one-ton rule” helped ensure that prospectors would arrive at least somewhat prepared to withstand the difficult environment of the Far North. It also benefited the merchants, who sold the miners this vast quantity of supplies, along with a myriad of services. Approximately 70,000 stampeders passed through Seattle during the Klondike Gold Rush — each one a potential customer. Some gold seekers invested as much as $1,000 for supplies and transportation. [7]

HARD DRIVE TO THE KLONDIKE:
PROMOTING SEATTLE DURING THE GOLD RUSH Chapter 3

Architectural Features of Skagway

The town’s main street features distinctive false-front buildings typical of gold rush boomtowns, alongside national park structures and restored homes from the period. These architectural features allow for study of design trends reflecting Skagway’s frontier history.americancruiselines+1

Photography Opportunities

Skagway provides striking opportunities for landscape and documentary photography. The surrounding mountains, glaciers, and historic structures create diverse subjects. Popular sites for photographers include White Pass, the old town center, and the scenic waterfront, as well as the Stikine River for wildlife and autumn foliage.audubon+1

Sailing and Nautical Interest

Skagway serves as a historic gateway to the Yukon and is situated along the Inside Passage. The harbor and nearby Taiya Inlet offer a blend of dramatic navigational settings and access points for sailors. Nautical history fans enjoy learning about legendary routes and the town’s role in maritime trade and exploration.adfg.alaska+2

Duck Hess Boats

Open-topped jet boats provide exclusive access to the roadless wilderness channels of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. These boats are custom-designed with flat bottoms and Yamaha four-stroke outboard jet motors, enabling quiet, shallow water navigation through braided, silt-laden river systems. The open-topped configuration is intentional—it offers unimpeded views for wildlife observation and photography, which is a highlight of the excursions into the preserve.voyij+3

Manufacturing Details

The fleet of jet boats used for tours in the Haines area was designed and built locally by Don “Duck” Hess, the founder of Chilkat River Adventures, specifically for the challenging conditions of the Chilkat River system. These boats are not standard commercial models; they’re tailored to manage the unique combination of shallow, glacially-fed water and shifting river channels found in the preserve. Some North River branded aluminum boats may also be used in regional excursions, but the tour fleet appears to be locally manufactured and operated by the Hess family.northriverboats+1

Summary Table

FeatureDetailsJet Boat DesignOpen-topped, flat-bottom, Yamaha four-stroke outboard jet motors, locally designed/builtvoyij+1UseWildlife and photography tours in roadless Chilkat Bald Eagle Preservealaskashoreexcursions+2Designer/ManufacturerDon “Duck” Hess, Chilkat River Adventures (local manufacturing & operation)voyijNaming of HainesNamed for Francina Electra Haines—mission fundraiser, woman honored by early settlerswikipedia+2

These jet boats are a unique and practical solution for eco-friendly wilderness access, designed with deep local expertise and a commitment to both safety and environmental sensitivity.alaskashoreexcursions+2

Hiking Highlights

The area boasts trail networks such as the Dewey Lakes Trail System, the historic Chilkoot Trail, and Yakutania Point Trail. These provide varied terrain from coastal walks to forest routes, with panoramic views and access to natural history sites, abundant birdlife, and native flora. Hikers can also trace historic routes taken by gold rush prospectors.adfg.alaska+2

For centuries before the gold rush, the Chilkoot Trail was used by the Tlingit people—specifically the Chilkoot and Chilkat subgroups—as a vital trade route between the coast and interior First Nations. The Tlingit fiercely protected and managed access to the trail, annually carrying goods such as dried fish, eulachon grease, Chilkat blankets, spruce root baskets, and European trade items through the trail, exchanging them for copper, hides, furs, and interior resources like moose and caribou products.kids.kiddle+3

Historical evidence and Tlingit oral tradition show that the Chilkoot Trail functioned as a major trade artery for at least several hundred years before Euro-Americans arrived; it is recorded as being established and in use since well before the 1800s. Archaeological studies and historic documents suggest the trail’s indigenous use may have begun even earlier, possibly hundreds to over 1,000 years ago as part of the Northwest Coast trade network.npshistory+2

In essence, the Chilkoot peoples used the trail for robust trading activities long before prospectors ever arrived, and the route’s strategic importance is deeply rooted in indigenous history.latinoheritageintern+4

The Chilkoot Trail is 33 miles (53 km) long and stretches from Dyea, Alaska (near Skagway), over the Chilkoot Pass, to Bennett, British Columbia. The trail begins a short distance from Skagway but officially starts at Dyea, a historic gold rush ghost town just outside Skagway. It ends at Lake Bennett, BC, which was the launching point for boats to the Klondike gold fields.

Importance to the 49ers

During the Klondike Gold Rush, the Chilkoot Trail was the most popular and direct overland route to the Yukon goldfields. Its accessibility and challenging terrain made it the preferred choice for thousands of “stampeders” in 1897-98, who sought gold in the Yukon. The trail’s infamous “Golden Stairs” and other steep sections posed daunting physical trials. Despite its hardships, the Chilkoot Trail saw more gold seekers pass over it than any other route, making it central to the gold rush era. Artifacts from that period, including abandoned gear, litter the route and serve as reminders of the trail’s historic significance.

Mounties and Supply Checks

At the summit of the Chilkoot Pass, Canadian North-West Mounted Police set up posts and stopped gold seekers (“stampeders” or “49ers”) to inspect their supplies and collect customs duties. The Mounties required each person to have one ton of supplies, enough to survive for a year in the Yukon, before they were allowed to continue into Canada. This regulation was crucial for safety; the goal was to prevent starvation and humanitarian disasters in the inhospitable north. Stampeder accounts describe the arduous task of hauling hundreds of pounds of food and equipment over the pass, often making dozens of trips back and forth to meet the supply requirement.

Wildlife and Birdwatching

Skagway’s location on the edge of the Tongass National Forest makes it a superb destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Notable mammals include harbor seals, river otters, and occasionally bears and moose. In early September, birdwatchers can expect to see:adfg.alaska

• Arctic Tern
• American Dipper
• Bald Eagle
• Harlequin Duck
• Marbled Murrelet
• Rufous Hummingbird
• Northern Goshawk
• Townsend’s Warbler
• Kingfisher
• American Redstart
• Red-breasted Sapsucker
• Various thrushes, chickadees, woodpeckers, and warblersnps+2

Popular birding sites include Pullen Creek, Broadway Dock, Taiya Inlet, Skagway River bridge, Dyea area, and both coastal and forested habitats. Recent monitoring has recorded over fifty species during the season.nps+1

Summary

Skagway’s blend of natural and cultural heritage, trail access, historic preservation, and rich avifauna make it a compelling destination for multidisciplinary exploration in September.npshistory+4

This iconic building is a landmark in Skagway and is impossible to miss. With over a thousand pieces of driftwood making up the false front, it’s no wonder the A-B Hall is the most photographed building in Alaska. Pop inside and learn about the Arctic Brotherhood and watch for special programs in the main hall during the visitor season.

• Address: 245 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840

Local Shops & Attractions in Skagway

Skagway showcases a rich array of indigenous artifacts primarily linked to the Tlingit people, and visitors can purchase a variety of unique Alaskan and Native-inspired souvenirs in local shops.nps+4

Indigenous Artifacts

• The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park holds a small but significant ethnology collection with items such as Tlingit baskets, beadwork, ceremonial masks, dolls, and carvings, providing insight into local Native traditions.alaska+1
• The Skagway Museum displays objects from Tlingit and other Alaska Native cultures, including a Tlingit canoe, baskets, carvings, and beadwork; it offers a dedicated heritage collection that highlights these ancestral crafts.alaska
• The newly established Skagway Cultural Garden, maintained by the local tribe, is developing a space for the display and demonstration of indigenous art, historical language, and cultural artifacts, with future plans for expanded interpretation and marketing of Native art.khns

Souvenirs to Purchase

• Native Alaskan art: Totem poles, hand-carved masks, woven baskets, and prints from regional artists are available at shops such as Lynch & Kennedy and Golden Bear Native Art Gallery.lynch-kennedy+1
• Jewelry: Gold nugget jewelry, jade pieces, ivory and mammoth tusk jewelry, and hematite and quartz pieces, reflecting both the area’s gold rush and Native heritage.royalcaribbean+2
• Alaska wild berry products: Local jams, syrups, and candies made from blueberries, cranberries, and salmonberries.royalcaribbean
• Knitted goods: Wool hats, scarves, and mittens created by artisans, some featuring indigenous or regional designs.skagwayshoretours+1
• Artworks: Paintings, sculpture, glass-blown ornaments, and textiles from local and Native artists, including totemic rugs and carved figures.voyij+1
• Other items: Alaskan knives, carvings in soapstone or ivory, furs, moccasins, wildlife themed gifts, and photographic prints.chrismarketingtechno.wixsite+1

Skagway’s shops and museums reflect a blend of Tlingit ancestral culture and broader Alaskan artistic traditions, making it a rewarding destination for collecting meaningful artifacts and souvenirs.nps+4

Haines Wilderness Odyssey by Jet Boat

The town of Haines was named after Francina Electra Haines, who was the chairwoman of the committee that raised funds for building the original Chilkat Mission and school in the area. The area’s original Native name was Deishú (“end of the trail”), reflecting its role in Tlingit trade routes. The name Haines honors Francina Haines’s pivotal role in supporting the early Presbyterian mission, making it the only Southeast Alaskan town named for a woman.wikipedia+2

The Haines Wilderness in Alaska has a deep history rooted in both indigenous Tlingit culture and Euro-American settlement during the Gold Rush era, and today faces multiple environmental threats while serving as a vital example for climate resilience and fire adaptation.wikipedia+3

Historical Background

• The region around Haines was originally settled by the Tlingit, notably the Chilkat group, who developed trade routes across the wilderness and maintained rich traditions in fishing and resource management for thousands of years.hainesalaska+1
• In the late 19th century, Haines grew as a supply center during the Klondike Gold Rush, leading to the development of trails, missions, and economic expansion; much of the surrounding wilderness remained undisturbed due to its rugged terrain and continued local stewardship.alaskaitinerary+1
• The area remains dotted with archaeological sites, including ancient fish traps and historical village remnants, reinforcing its long indigenous use and ecological value.portchilkootdistillery+1

Current Use and Environmental Threats

• The Haines Wilderness—including preserves like the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve and Haines State Forest—is managed for habitat conservation, outdoor recreation (hiking, fishing, wildlife watching), and limited commercial activities.hainescompplanrevision+1
• Threats include proposed logging and industrial resource extraction, clear-cut forestry, and increased human activity that pressure fish, wildlife, cultural resources, and recreation opportunities.lynncanalconservation+1
• Climate change brings added risks: warming results in altered snowpack and precipitation patterns, increases fire risk, stresses salmon streams, and can disrupt established forest and tundra ecosystems.research.usda+2
• Specific fire threats include earlier snowmelt, drier summers, and changing forest compositions that heighten wildfire probability in both boreal and temperate woods.sciencedirect+1

Importance in the Era of Climate-Promoted Fires

• The Haines Wilderness serves as a critical fire-adapted landscape: Its preserved old-growth forests, extensive wetlands, and riparian buffers help slow or suppress the spread of wildfire, offering valuable lessons in landscape-scale resilience and ecosystem stewardship.esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley+1
• Visiting and understanding Haines Wilderness allows researchers and travelers to observe functioning, fire-resistant ecosystems and wilderness management practices that can inform broader adaptation strategies as climate extremes become more common.sciencedirect+1
• The region is a significant reservoir of biodiversity, including endangered fish, bears, and eagles, whose populations depend on intact forests and healthy rivers—a relationship increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation and fire.blm+1

Why Visit?

• The wilderness provides rare opportunities to study ancient indigenous resource management, view exceptional wildlife, enjoy pristine hiking and river corridors, and witness first-hand how local communities are conserving forests and watersheds as buffers against intensifying fire risks.sheldonmuseum+2
• As fire seasons become longer and more severe across western North America, the lessons of Haines—highlighting the value of connected wilderness, multi-use stewardship, and climate resilience—become ever more essential for scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, and policymakers.esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley+1

The Haines Wilderness is not just a sanctuary for wildlife and culture but a living laboratory for understanding and combating the threats of climate change and wildfire in Alaska’s evolving landscape.hainescompplanrevision+2

This is a great opportunity to visit two ports in one day. Your tour begins as you board a high-speed catamaran for a scenic 45-minute cruise along North America’s longest and deepest fjord to Haines. Along the way, you’ll witness spectacular views of waterfalls, ice-sculpted peaks and glaciers. Be sure to keep an eye out for marine life and bald eagles dotted along the shoreline.

Upon arrival in Haines, board a bus for a 30-minute ride on the Haines Scenic Byway into the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to the river dock. On your narrated drive you will enjoy stories of the history of the valley. Where the road ends, the real Alaska begins and so does your adventure. 

Board your boat and part company with civilization. During your time on the Chilkat River, traverse many different channels and travel at least 20 miles into the wilderness. Your vessel is specially designed for navigation on this silt-laden river which is the only access to a remote, roadless portion of the preserve. Your open-topped boat allows you to view and photograph the majestic scenery and animals seen in an unhindered fashion. Warm outerwear and blankets will be provided. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and will entertain you with tales of their backcountry lifestyle and some “real Alaska” stories.

View bald eagles and their massive nests in their natural habitat. The preserve has the best moose habitat in the valley and although there are no guarantees, chances of spotting moose and bears are very good. Have your cameras ready in case the wildlife provides a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. 

Relax and enjoy a sack lunch of chicken Caesar wrap, chips, homemade cookie and bottled water on the return drive to Haines for the catamaran trip back to Skagway. You’ll leave the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve with a myriad of unforgettable memories of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.