The once-bustling town of Dyea is only 9 miles away from the popular town of Skagway but they seem worlds apart. In 1898 Skagway and Dyea competed tirelessly to be the "Gateway to the Klondike". Dyea once housed over 8,000 residents and had it's very own Main Street lined with hotels, saloons, and restaurants.
Today, it is a much different story. Nature has taken over what little is left of the town of Dyea. Now part of the Klondike National Historic Park, the town sits quietly from its nearby twin left exactly how it was over a hundred years ago.
With our small group tour, you get the opportunity to enjoy the scenic drive along the Taiya Inlet's coast. Only small vans are allowed to take this drive, so you get to enjoy the view without the crowds. After crossing the Taiya River Bridge, you will get to stop at the former townsite for a walk down a trail that was once Dyea's "Broadway."
After another quick drive and a short walk through the spruce forest, we will reach the Slide Cemetary. This cemetery acts as an eerie reminder of the lives lost in the Palm Sunday Avalanche of 1898 where over 65 miners, stampeders, and argonauts. As the deadliest event in the Klondike Gold Rush, the faded gravestones call attention to the deadly conditions many people faced in the pursuit of gold.
On the drive back to Skagway, we will stop at the beautiful Naku Bay for photos. The view looking down the fjord and the not so distant Chilkat mountains are a once in a lifetime experience. This tour is bound to impress not just those of you inclined for history, but first time Alaska travelers as well.
Duration: 3 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal
Requirements:
- Minimum of 2 passengers required to book
Duration: 3 hours. Tour times below are approximate:
- Scenic drive along Taiya Inlet and across the Taiya River Bridge
- Half-mile walk down Dyea's "Broadway" trail.
- Slide Cemetary stop
- Naku Bay photo stop
- Transportation back to town
Meeting Instructions:
- This tour meets on the cruise ship dock. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.
ADA Accessibility of Tour:
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to walk one-half mile on an unpaved surface.
Is there a minimum number of guests? What locations do you visit during this tour?
Yes. There is a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 11 guests per departure.
What locations do you visit during this tour?
During this tour you visit the town of Dyea, the Taiya River Bridge, the Slide Cemetary, and the Naku Bay.
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