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Klondike Highway Mayo to Dawson City, Yukon

29 June 2008

This morning we backtracked on the Silver Trail, out to Stewart Crossing to continue our journey towards Dawson City. The scenery along this section of the Klondike Hwy is pleasant enough, but not spectacular. The road was in good condition.

Between Stewart Crossing and Dawson City

Klondike River south of Dawson City and the Dempster Highway junction

Northbound on the Klondike Highway approaching its junction with the Dempster Highway.

The Klondike River Yukon Government campground is a few miles south of Dawson City. There are no services; however thecampsites are private and roomy.

Klondike River Yukon Gov't campground

After settling in and unhooking the fifth wheel, we continued towards Dawson City to again look around and tour the area. A drive up to the "Dome" is a must. We decided to start our sightseeing there. In previous years, we have seen black bears on our drive up the hill. No wildlife this year though. I also noticed there were more residences along the road on the way up.

Looking north from Dome Summit, along the Yukon River

Looking southwest from Dome Summit, with a view of Dawson City, the Yukon River and the start of the Top of the World Highway across the river.

In Dawson City the streets were quiet. This time of year it is usually busier. We also noticed the heritage sites were not as well-maintained as a decade ago, which was disappointing!

Robert Service's cabin

Jack London's cabin

Interior of Jack London's cabin

The Red Feather Saloon had been restored since my 1986 visit.

Red Feather Saloon - September 1986

Red Feather Saloon - June 2008

Below, the 3rd Avenue Complex from 1901, illustrates what can happen when buildings are placed on frozen ground. The melting forms a muck into which the footings settle at different rates.

3rd Avenue Complex, built in 1901 - Parks Canada site

It was disappointing that the Gaslight Follies were no longer performing at the Palace Grand.

Palace Grand Theatre, built in 1899 - Parks Canada site

Years ago, we thoroughly enjoyed the show we saw while sitting in our little private box on the second floor. It was a good time, and it was easy to imagine the "good old days" when the theatre would have been busy with dance hall girls and miners hoping to trade some gold for a dance!

Interior of the Palace Grand Theatre in 2008

Across from the theatre is the restored Post Office, open for business during the summer months.

Historic Post Office, open for mail services during the summer - Parks Canada site

Westminster Hotel, established 1898

Midnight Sun Hotel, established in 1972

Downtown Hotel, opened in 1982

Lowe's Mortuary, no longer open so hopefully no one needs those services - Parks Canada site

Klondike Thawing Machine Company building, constructed in 1899 - Parks Canada site

Klondike Motors - closed

S.S. Keno paddle wheeler, one of only two left in the Yukon - Parks Canada site

The St. Andrew's Church and Manse was built in 1901, boasting a pipe organ and carved oak pews that accommodated 600 people.

St. Andrew's Church and Manse, 1901

Strait's Auction House, constructed in 1901, also known as the Guns and Ammunition Shop

Strait's Auction House in 1986

The Binet Block, below, was built in 1898. Initially it was used for government offices and subsequently it was used as a hotel under a variety of names.

The Yukon Hotel

One of two dozen dredges that worked this area, Dredge No. 4 rests on Claim 17 Below Discovery on Bonanza Creek near the spot where it ceased operations in 1959. Dredge No. 4 is the largest wooden hull, bucket line dredge in North America.

To see the dredge, you drive a gravel road south of Dawson. The drive is interesting as miners continue to work in the surrounding hills. During the summer, there are tours of the dredge and it is interesting to see the workings inside!

Dredge No. 4 - National Historic Site of Canada

Dredge No. 4 - historical site More pictures of the dredge on my Dawson City page.

On previous visits we saw other sites, including the paddlewheel graveyard on the west side of the Yukon River and Bear Creek historical site (which was closed when we tried to visit this year).

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