Chilkoot Trail: Heritage Route to the Klondike

by David Neufeld, Frank Norris

No aspect of this harrowing journey was more difficult--or deadly--than the trek over the Chilkoot a fifty-three kilometre journey over the coastal mountains from the tidewaters of Alaska, through British Columbia to the headwaters of the Yukon River. But even before the gold rush, the trail was an important First Nations trade and travel route, joining the Tlingit of the coast with the First Nations of the interior. Today the Chilkoot Trail draws hikers from around the world who want to experience the area's natural beauty and soak up its rich history. In Chilkoot Heritage Route to the Klondike , two historians--one from each side of the border--give readers the feeling of what life was like on the trail before, during and after the great Klondike gold rush.

182 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

David Neufeld a Parks Canada historian, has worked on Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site for over ten years. Based in Whitehorse, he does research on the Kluane National Park Reserve, the Yukon River, Dawson City and the Klondike goldfields, and the Yukon north slope.

Reviews

[Andrea Chow · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is difficult to read, inaccessible, and poorly designed. although it contains lots of information and primary perspectives about the history of the trail, the layout of the book - with paragraphs starting and continuing pages later, interruptions, photos, quotes, and captions scattered all over - makes it nearly impossible to read continuously. i completed the book over the course of several months by reading the first half with great difficulty and simply looking at the pictures in the second half. there are a lot more resources and literature out there on the subject of the chilkoot than this book that are worth your time.

[Matt French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and informative.