Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Get Into The Frontier Spirit With Skagway Private Tours

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By Patty Goff


There are many places in the United States where you can still get into the spirit of those early settlers who came to tame the land and seek the American Dream. One of these places is the state of Alaska, the Frontier State. It's renowned for its stunning scenery and the chance to explore the wilderness like people did a century or two ago. With Skagway private tours, you can follow in those pioneers' footsteps and enjoy one of the most beautiful corners of the USA.

The town of Skagway is quite small and normally doesn't even have a thousand residents. It lies at a fjord in Alaska's southeast, making it a gateway to the Klondike. Juneau, the Alaskan capital, lies to the southeast.

For many centuries, the only people living in the area were the Tlingit. However, people of European descent started moving in during the late nineteenth century. The most notable was Captain William Moore, who built a homestead in 1887 and whose cabin is still there. Moore had a feeling that there was gold here and was ready for the gold rush that followed only some years later. The historic downtown part of town dates from this era and to learn more about those exciting days, you can visit the Mascot Saloon Museum, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or the Skagway Museum.

If you want some nature with your trip into the past, take a hike along one of the trails that the miners used back in the day. A guide will be able to tell you more about the people who worked here. The two main trails are the Chilkoot Trail, which leads to a ghost town called Dyea, and the White Pass Trail to a series of lakes.

The scenery in the area is spectacular and there are three great ways to enjoy it. One is to take the ferry to Haines, since it will take you along the fjord and you may see marine creatures such as seals and even whales. You can also splash out on a helicopter tour for a bird's eye view. Most popular, however, is the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad.

The best time to visit is in summer, when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is lower. However, this is prime tourist season too and thousands of visitors pass through, many of them on day excursions from cruise ships. Winters are cold and wet and there is a good chance of snow.

To visit, you have the option of taking a cruise ship. However, if you want to spend more than a day in the area, it's better to come by ferry. The Alaska Marine Highway is a ferry service that plies the route from British Columbia and via Juneau. Another option is to catch an airplane from Juneau or to drive in, since Skagway has a connection to the Klondike Highway from Canada.

There are several tour operators that offer private tours in and around Skagway. Some will simply take you sightseeing while other will take you on unforgettable wildlife adventures such as dog sledding, fishing or gold panning. Find them online and book in advance to avoid disappointment.




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