Alaska/Canada 2022-4: Klondike Loop 2 - Dawson City
A few miles before Dawson City driving the Klondike Loop, you cross the Klondike River where it flows into the Yukon.
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The next half dozen miles are lined on both sides of the road with huge piles of tailings from dredging the Klondike and Yukon Rivers for gold.
A large levee has been recently built along the Yukon in Dawson City. This year with the high water it definitely seemed worth it, but it blocks the view of the river from the city.
We'd called from Pelly Crossing and were able to reserve a dry site at Gold Rush Campground on the north edge of Dawson City, where we'd also stayed in 2017.
We were squeezed into a corner site, the advantage being a bit of shade.
Dry sites are often the best spots in a campground. Many of those with hook-ups were in the middle of the campground with no shade and slide-out to slide-out for a view.
Even when crowded, the town just has an allure.
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Dawson City's wood plank sidewalks with their dips and nicks add to the charm:
"Weathered Moosehide Hanging" is the native Han name for the scar on the hillside at the north end the town. It was caused by geologic events at least 1,700 years ago.
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According to the Han legend, the Han, who lived at the mouth of the Klondike, believed a tribe to the south was stealing their people. A fight ensued, during which the Han at the top of the hill cut down a tree, which began a landslide that killed the tribe at the bottom. The Scar seems visible from everywhere in town.
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There's a Curling Center next to the Rec Center. A young ranger at Tombstone Territorial Park, a Quebec transplant, told us that Dawson City makes a huge effort with frequent activities to keep folks' spirits up during the 24-hour darkness of winter days.
Summer activities abound for locals and tourists. There are races: running, motorcycle, outhouse. There are tournaments: golf, poker, softball. There's a music fest, Aboriginal Day June 21, and Canada Day July 1.
Dawson has a Harper Street, named for Irishman Arthur "Hard Luck" Harper, the "Father of the Yukon." Along with Joseph Ladue, he formed the Dawson City Town Site Company in 1896. He and his Athabaskan wife, Sophie, had a son, Walter, who was the first perosn to summit Denali, in 1913.
We frequented Riverwest Bistro, whose baristas came to accept my request for ice for their delicious coffee.
Along with the visitors centers, grocery store, trading post, and emporium, the cafe is located on Front St, the only paved street in town.
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Next up: Dawson City Museum & Robert Service Cabin
Bridge over Klondike River a few miles from Dawson City.
River dredging tailings along Canada Rte 2 along the few miles into Dawson City, Yukon.
The Dawson City dancehall girl sign interrupts the tailings.
Tailings and pool left from dredging the rivers for gold.
A large levee has been recently built along the Yukon in Dawson City. This year with the high water it definitely seemed worth it, but it blocks the view of the river from the city.
Yukon River flowing past Dawson City.
We'd called from Pelly Crossing and were able to reserve a dry site at Gold Rush Campground on the north edge of Dawson City, where we'd also stayed in 2017.
Bright blue Gold Rush Campground office/showers/laundry.
We were squeezed into a corner site, the advantage being a bit of shade.
Our shady corner campsite.
Dry sites are often the best spots in a campground. Many of those with hook-ups were in the middle of the campground with no shade and slide-out to slide-out for a view.
Sites with hookups in the middle of the campground with no shade. The Scar behind on the hillside.
On our 2017 Alaska/Yukon trip, we had little idea how long it would take to drive from place to place and realized only later we could have lingered longer in Dawson City.
Doug ambling along Dawson City's streets.
Even when crowded, the town just has an allure.
It's dirt streets:
Its colorful building: old...
...and new.
Its false-fronted buildings...
...some in better repair than others.
Many buildings have a metal roof:
Some, like Klondike Kate's Cabins, are sided in metal, as well.
The colorful buildings of the Westmark Hotel now occupy both sides of Fifth Ave:
Its colorful building: old...
...and new.
Its false-fronted buildings...
Many buildings have a metal roof:
Some, like Klondike Kate's Cabins, are sided in metal, as well.
The variety of other old buildings:
St Andrew's Church has seen better days...
... as have the "Kissing Buildings." Built directly on permafrost, when the buildings were heated, they sank & leaned into each other.
Dawson City's wood plank sidewalks with their dips and nicks add to the charm:
"Weathered Moosehide Hanging" is the native Han name for the scar on the hillside at the north end the town. It was caused by geologic events at least 1,700 years ago.
The Scar on the hillside, caused by geologic events.
According to the Han legend, the Han, who lived at the mouth of the Klondike, believed a tribe to the south was stealing their people. A fight ensued, during which the Han at the top of the hill cut down a tree, which began a landslide that killed the tribe at the bottom. The Scar seems visible from everywhere in town.
Alleys run between the rear of buildings.
Cloud formations have added to the sheer beauty of our surroundings throughout the trip.
There's a Curling Center next to the Rec Center. A young ranger at Tombstone Territorial Park, a Quebec transplant, told us that Dawson City makes a huge effort with frequent activities to keep folks' spirits up during the 24-hour darkness of winter days.
Curling Center & Rec Center
Summer activities abound for locals and tourists. There are races: running, motorcycle, outhouse. There are tournaments: golf, poker, softball. There's a music fest, Aboriginal Day June 21, and Canada Day July 1.
Dawson has a Harper Street, named for Irishman Arthur "Hard Luck" Harper, the "Father of the Yukon." Along with Joseph Ladue, he formed the Dawson City Town Site Company in 1896. He and his Athabaskan wife, Sophie, had a son, Walter, who was the first perosn to summit Denali, in 1913.
Perhaps a distant relative?
We frequented Riverwest Bistro, whose baristas came to accept my request for ice for their delicious coffee.
Doug at Riverview Bistro. Of course the Yukon is not visible unless you are walking on the levee.
We thought the van was really dirty after the miles of construction. Little did we know how relatively clean it was—its black trim was still visible!
Next up: Dawson City Museum & Robert Service Cabin
Wow, dirt streets, kissing buildings and outhouse races. What, no brewpub?
ReplyDeleteWe’ll, Klondike Kate!s is closed!
DeleteLooks great you guys
ReplyDeleteIt really is. So glad to be able to experience this area again
Delete