The White Pass and Yukon Route’s 67.5 route miles make it the longest-operating narrow-gauge railroad in North America. More importantly, virtually every one of those miles is knockout beautiful—a potpourri of lakes, rivers, and snow-capped mountains. Completed in 1900, the railroad was built to link the Yukon and other booming gold-mining districts with tidewater at Skagway.
Choices
The most popular trip is the half-day, 40-mile round trip to White Pass Summit. Best of all are 8-hour runs along the full length of the line, Skagway to Carcross, riding the train one way and a motor coach the other. A brief layover at Bennett allows a visit to the museum there. Additional train-motor coach combinations are available, and the trains will drop off and pick up hikers at certain locations, including Laughton, 14 miles from Skagway, or Denver, 6 miles distant.
When to go
The White Pass & Yukon operates from early May through September, and any time in that window is fine for a visit—though it is likely to be bracingly chilly early and late. As compensation, the snow-capped mountains will be more scenic.
Good to know
Mikado No. 73, pride of the White Pass fleet, has been undergoing a major overhaul, putting the usual steam excursions to Fraser Meadows in abeyance, with a hoped-for return in 2024. Unique and colorful diesels—modernized, shovel-nose General Electric units and newer low-nose road switchers—handle all the other trains.
Worth doing
The few hotels and handful of B&Bs in Skagway are best booked in advance. You can tour Skagway, the Yukon, and other scenic areas by Jeep, raft, horseback, or dogsled.
Don’t miss
Although the entire line is spectacular, pay particular attention to the first 20 miles to White Pass Summit. Here, the railroad uses grades of up to 3.9 percent to climb 2,865 feet. For the best views, grab seats on the left side of the train.
Getting there
Most passengers arrive at Skagway by cruise ship, but you can get to Skagway from Bellingham, Wash., or Prince Rupert aboard the comfortable ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway. For motorists, Skagway is 110 miles south of the Alaska Highway via the South Klondike Highway.
Location: 201 2nd Avenue, Skagway, AK
Phone: 800-343-7373
Website: wpyr.com
E-mail: info@wpyr.com
