Port 2
Skagway
White Summit Pass The weather was the nicest in Skagway. The tour guide mentioned that just the day before it had been snowing. While we were there, we were able to comfortably walk around in shorts and t-shirts.
White Summit Pass The weather was the nicest in Skagway. The tour guide mentioned that just the day before it had been snowing. While we were there, we were able to comfortably walk around in shorts and t-shirts.
We decided to splurge and do a cruise excursion. We chose to do the White Pass Summit to Sea downhill biking tour becuase my dad has been wanting to do downhill biking for a while. Also, when else would I ever choose to bike in Alaska?
We met our tour guides at the doc and caught a van up to the summit together. There were about 12-15 of us including the guides, it was a tight ride about a half and hour ride -give or take 5 minutes.
This picture was taken from the back of the van. Do you see the red and yellow pole on the side of the road? Sometimes, during the winter, the snow in the White Pass gets as high as that pole. The pole is there so that snow plows know where the edge of the road is.
In fact, the weather gets so gnarly in the White Pass that both Canada and the United Stsates moved their borders backwards away from the pass. That means that technically, for a small distance, you are in no mans land. If you don't get pass either border line before they close, you would be stuck literally in the middle of no where.
We were fitted to our mountain bikes - the kind with the brakes you have to squeeze at the same time or you'll skid out. A few practice rides, a safety briefing, and a few pictures later off we were, down the pass!
Do I have any tips for this town? Yes, book an excursion or go on a hike. It's an interesting, but small town. It'll only take you about 1 hour tops to walk explore.