The historic town of Skagway, Alaska, offers spectacular scenic beauty with snow-covered mountains and thick forests. The area boasts a number of trails including easy trails for the whole family and longer trails great for multi-day excursions.
Getting There
Many people arrive in Skagway via one of the cruise ships that dock in the area. Several trails start close by the dock, making it easy to include some hiking in the itinerary. Other visitors arrive in Skagway by driving or taking the bus along the Alaska Highway to the South Klondike Highway into Skagway. Visitors can also take a short flight from Juneau to Skagway.
Day Hikes
A variety of trails give day hikers plenty of opportunities to get exercise and enjoy the views the Skagway area offers. The Yakutania Point/Smuggler's Cove Trail, a 2.5-mile loop, offers an easy hike for the whole family to enjoy. Rising just 50 feet in elevation, the trail starts at Skagway's ferry terminal. Other day hikes include the Gold Rush Cemetery-Lower Reid Falls hike. The trail goes for 4 miles and starts near 23rd Avenue in Skagway. Total elevation is just 50 feet, and the trail takes hikers through a historic cemetery and to some spectacular falls. Consider bringing a sack lunch to eat near the falls.
Longer Hikes
For visitors to Skagway with more than one day to enjoy the area, the hike to Laughton Glacier works well. The moderately difficult trail leads to a U.S. Forest Service cabin hikers can stay in overnight with an advance reservation. The 5-mile loop trail follows the Skagway River into a wooded area to the edge of beautiful Laughton Glacier, gaining up to 600 feet in elevation. The 33-mile strenuous Chilkoot Trail that leads to the Klondike offers hikers a much longer hike along a trade route created by the Tlingit people. Hikers need to obtain permits from both Parks Canada and the U.S. National Park Service for overnight stays along this trail. Reservations are required to hike the trail.
Trail Camping
Camping on the trail is often possible in the Skagway area, although permits for the Chilkoot Trail are required. The permits can be picked up at the National Park Service Trail Center in Skagway. During the summer, fires are often allowed, but only in designated fire pits. During hot spells, fires may be banned.
Preparation
Besides the essentials that go into any pack, hikers will want to pack rain gear, since the area around Skagway experiences heavy rains. The rain keeps the valley green and beautiful, but it can get cold, so layers of clothing help. Bears frequent the area, so bear spray is a necessity. The spray needs to be kept on a belt loop for easy access, not inside a backpack where it's too difficult to reach fast. For hikers who need to pick up lunch or snacks, several deli-style restaurants in Skagway provide supplies. During the summer, the Excelsior Café offers a bakery and deli for sandwiches and other foods. Or hikers can pick up some healthy food at North Eden, a restaurant offering free-trade organic uncooked food to go.
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