Chilkoot Trail 2012

My best buddy and I set out on a trek across the Chilkoot trail on July 23, 2012.  We hiked for 5 days and 4 nights for a total of 33 miles.  The first night we hiked to Canyon City campground.  We were the last ones awake in camp that night.  As we sat on the porch of the warming hut, a bear wandered into camp.  It really scared me, so I talked Ken into sleeping with me inside the emergency warming hut.

The next day we hiked to sheep camp.  This was our campsite at Sheep Camp.  Not too shabby.  And we actually slept in our tents.  :)  We found a hidden place along the creek to take a bath.  ahhhhh all the comforts of home.

The 3rd day we got up early and left camp by 4:19am to set out for the Golden Stairs and up to the summit. What nobody told me was that what goes up, must come down.  And the down was in a snowfield heading straight for crater lake.  Panic attacks set in.  But I eventually overcame my fears (what choice did I have?) and made it across the snow fields.  We hiked all the way to Happy camp in the snow.  It was nice to finally get to Happy Camp.  It was a very hot day with the sun blasting us on the snow.

The Golden Stairs

                                   This is the snowfield that created such panic in my mind.

Happy Camp - it was so hot!  Inside the tent was unbearable til late in the day.







 On the way to Lindeman Lake, we took a swim in Deep lake.  It was so cold you couldn't stay in the water long.  Then we set up our camp a Lake Lindeman.  I made Ken put his tent on the side of the woods beside my tent to protect me from bears.  Thank goodness he is such an awesome friend

Our Camp at Lake Lindeman

 Washing dishes at Lake Lindeman.

The next day we set out early for the 7 mile hike to Lake Bennett.  We needed to be there to have the Beef Stew dinner that we had planned for at the Train Station in Bennett.  The train was scheduled to depart at 2pm.

 A portion of the hike was very sandy like a beach and very difficult to walk in.

We did it!  A very memorable trip that I will cherish for a lifetime!