Glaciers & Other Natural Wonders
Actually, All of southeast Alaska is a natural wonder to me. I’m biased about Skagway cause I’ve lived here for almost 30 years including winters. I even bought a grave. I’m staying.
In support of my bias one merely has to look out over the bay to see Harding Glacier (it’s both a hanging and valley glacier) staring back atcha. Within 14 miles of town along some of our hiking trails is the Denver Ice Field with numerous glacial fingers to “wonder” at. The Denver glacial system is just east of town on the backside of Dewey Peaks. Laughton Glacier is 3 miles north of Denver’s northern edge. Laughton is accessible using the White Pass & Yukon Route RR to get to the trailhead.
No matter which trail you access, you’ll run into canyons, waterfalls, lakes, large drainages, small drainages, high mountains, wildlife etc…
Airplanes and helicopters can get you to and on our local glaciers or fly you to Glacier Bay National Park 30 air minutes to our west. The train is another venue to help you accomplish your exploring goals.
Skagway and our “suburb”, Dyea is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Visit downtown Skagway to see what we looked like back in the late 1890’s. You can hike the 33 mile long Chilkoot Trail starting in Dyea. It ends up at Bennett Lake just south of the British Columbia and Yukon border. The trails perspectives are magnificent and you’ll find some totally cool historical sites as well.
All in all, take to the trails and keep on howling! Owoooooooooooooooooooooooh!