Tag: Skagway

Skagway and Glacier Bay National Park

Skagway

If you like a sense of turning back to the end of the 19th century and old narrow gauge rails, you’ll like Skagway. More than 20,000 gold prospectors built the town overnight and turned it into a rough and tumble “old-west” in 1898. They were on their way to make their fortunes in the Klondike.

Built practically overnight as the gateway to the Klondike, Skagway is worth a stop for its Old West feel and White Pass train ride
Skagway is worth a stop for its Old West feel and White Pass train ride

When you disembark, walk the shops and take the White Pass & Yukon Route train for terrific scenery (not for people who avoid heights.) This is the place to buy a replica of the famed White Pass Engine if you have a train buff at home.


Glacier Bay National Park

Cruising into Glacier Bay with its nine tidewater glaciers (they empty into the bay) is unforgettable.

Put on the jacket and go on deck. You will see glaciers calving (breaking off of a chunk of ice). Listen for a roar and get the camera ready. Here you will also see icebergs and sea lions. Our ship stayed in the bay all afternoon and moved close in to the glaciers to see deep blue crevices, cracks and caves.

Our ship was able to get up close to some of the glaciers
Our ship was able to get up close to some of the glaciers
The pieces of ice in the water is from this glacier's calving about a minute earlier
The pieces of ice in the water is from this glacier's calving about a minute earlier

More information at Skagway

More information at Glacier Bay National Park

Taking a last look around Glacier Bay before heading to next town
Taking a last look around Glacier Bay before heading to next town

Coming Next: Haines and College Fjord