We are probably confusing the heck out of you guys – one day we’re in Alaska, then Canada, then Alaska again. Can’t we make up our minds? It doesn’t make much sense until you look at a map.
The town of Skagway is accessible by ferry from Haines (or via cruise ship – luckily there was only one boat in town today!). But in order to drive to Skagway you have to go through Canada. We had heard that the highway was pretty scenic, so we decided to detour down from Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory. The drive followed the historic White Pass, a route that many of the Klondike Gold Rush stampeders traveled on foot. That was an impressive feat, especially considering that the Canadian Mounties required each person to bring at least one ton of provisions and supplies so that they wouldn’t starve to death on Canada’s watch. I can’t imagine pushing and pulling all that gear through this desolate landscape.
A six-block area of the old town has been designated a National Historical Park and is managed by the National Park Service. Back in the 1890’s, Skagway was truly a lawless boomtown full of confidence men, thieves, and women of ill-repute. We took a guided tour of the Red Onion Saloon, a former brothel. The price for the tour was similar to what it would’ve been in the 1890’s: $5 for 15 minutes.
The brothel workers made a living out of “mining the miners”. The girls were paid in gold, and by the time the Klondike Rush was over many of them had become very wealthy women. Especially the madams, who always manage to get their cut – even from the tourists.
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