Our Alaska Trip, Part 4; Skagway and White Pass Railway

[labmansid]

From the heart pounding excitement of watching and hearing huge chunks of ice falling into the waters of Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier, it was on to Skagway, Alaska for a relaxing ride on the White Pass Railroad. This historic train ride winds its way a leisurely 20 miles or so from sea level to the 2800+ foot summit of White Pass, the same route many of the thousands of hopeful souls took back in the gold rush days on their way to the Yukon hoping to strike it rich. The scenery along the way and back is breathtaking, from lush forest, to snow and glacier covered peaks, and even a small lake near the summit. Wildflowers are pretty abundant along the way, with tall stalks of the white Cow Parsnips, patches of an orange variety of Columbine, and the ever present Fireweed, although they are difficult to properly capture from a moving train.
Anyway, here are a few selections of the views one can experience from this scenic railway.


Looking through a gap back to the port of Skagway, a couple of cruise ships are visible.






Sliding past a rock wall.





The iconic shot of the train going around a curve.







One of several glacier covered peaks we observed while in the state.






Going through one of several tunnels blasted into the mountain.






A small alpine lake.





This was an unusual growth habit of the Fireweed.




It usually looked more like this.





Just another mountain stream.





We actually passed into Canada briefly, but no passport required this trip.




Over the river........






..........and through the woods.







Retirement.






I think I know who has the right of way!!






Just thought this was an amusing sign in the place we stopped in for lunch. By the way, halibut sandwiches are really popular in Alaska!





For some reason that evening, I just had this eerie feeling we were being watched!







The clouds and fog rolling in as we sailed on that night were a foretelling of what was to come the next day. Until then, we had been blessed with nice sunny, balmy weather the whole time.







As I mentioned already, the scenery around Skagway was amazing, and the train was a great way to see it with someone else doing the "driving" for you.

As always, thanks for looking!

[Tim T]

Another great series Sid. Love the second shot. Thanks for sharing and letting me dream a little.

[Night Owl]

We had dismal weather in Skagway, though the rain held off for the most part. Surprising they didn't want your passport. In Fraser, a Cannuck Immigration official boarded our train before we got off. All we had to do was hold up our passport as he passed, but they still wanted to see that we had one.

[houtex01]

Nice way to enjoy my morning cup of coffee...another great job Sid with the narrative and scenery is outstanding...like Tim said thanks for letting us take a dream vacation with you...was a little disappointed that the train was not pulled by a steam locomotive instead of diesel...

Ron

[TxPhotoShooter]

Wonderful photos Sid! I appreciate you taking the time to make comments. I've been trying to convince my wife that we should take that vacation cruise but she is fearful of getting sea sick. Perhaps your photos will help me out.

[dcopeland]

Thanks Sid, great images of a beautiful area. Have had the priviledge of getting there twice so far.. last time got to see where a river had carved a cave through a glacier.. one of the coolest natural scenes I've ever seen!!

[lhdvies]

Thks for the post Sid!! I enjoyed "the trip" . Well done!

[David Alaniz]

Just a wonderful series! I have really enjoyed your trip...great photo's.

[gll]

love it !!

[labmansid]

Thanks for the comments, I hope I'm not boring too many of you! I will be getting to "Phase Two" of our trip shortly, the part after the cruise, and there will be much more wildlife involved in those posts.

Originally Posted by Night Owl

...Surprising they didn't want your passport. In Fraser, a Cannuck Immigration official boarded our train before we got off. All we had to do was hold up our passport as he passed, but they still wanted to see that we had one.

That is the scenario we were prepared for, but I believe the particular tour we took was slightly different. We didn't go as far into Canada, stopping just past the border to swap the engines around for the trip back. We never were allowed off the train, either. A coworker of mine did what you did a couple of years ago, and had to show her passport. There seems to be several variations of train tours around there, one of which went by us while preparing for the return trip.

Originally Posted by houtex01

...was a little disappointed that the train was not pulled by a steam locomotive instead of diesel...

Ron

Yes, I know what you mean. But I guess steam engines would be difficult to maintain, and may not be as robust as needed for the trip nowadays.

Originally Posted by TxPhotoShooter

I've been trying to convince my wife that we should take that vacation cruise but she is fearful of getting sea sick. Perhaps your photos will help me out.

Actually, my wife is rather prone to getting motion sick, but having been on two cruises now, it seems the big cruise ships aren't too bad in that regard for her. The Alaska Inside Passage cruises are pretty much in protected waters except for the first and last days. The seas have to be pretty rough to feel much motion on them, and she did OK on this one wearing the patch. The last night I think it was starting to wear off a little, should have used a fresh one before, and she mentioned being a little uncomfortable then. Even I could feel the motion a little that night, but we did OK.