The International Gold Rush Trail is a proposed thematic system joining communities together a land and water route from the docks of Seattle through the Chilkoot Pass to the Yukon gold fields. This is a trail of history and experiences gained from retracing the steps of prospectors on the Trail of ’98 suitable for hikers, kayakers, and travelers of the Alaska Marine Highway System alike.
Communities that have historic ties to the rush are joining forces to other a unique way to experience history. Communities discussing participation in the effort take are Seattle, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Tenakee Springs, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Whitehorse, Dawson City, and Eagle
Examples of Similar Trail Systems – There are already many similar alternatives that could be mimicked by the International Gold Rush Trail. Options for the proposed trail range from establishing informal networks of interested communities to a more formal incorporation of the route as a National Historic Trail. Here are some examples to draw from:
- Captain John Smith National Historic Trail – This is the first all water trail to be established as part of the National Historic Trail System. Following the trail allows paddlers to retrace John Smith’s voyages of exploration that occurred between 1607 and 1709 in Chesapeake Bay.
- SEATrails – This is a trail system that links together communities in the Southeast Alaska panhandle region by use of the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System
- Aboard the Underground Railroad Travel Itinerary – This is a travel itinerary that follows sites identified on the National Registry of Historic Places associated with the Underground Railroad
- The Trail of Tears – This is a trail that traces the mitigation of Native Americans at the time of President Jackson from the western frontier regions surrounding the Tennessee Territory across the Mississippi River into the Oklahoma Territory
International Gold Rush Trail Sponsors – A myriad of organizations from the United States, Canada, State of Alaska and Yukon Territory have begun the planning process for the new thematic trail. Early participants are Parks Canada, US National Park Service, Yukon Territory, Municipality of Skagway, City of Whitehorse, Dawson City, Tourism Yukon, Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development, Alaska State Historic Preservation Office, City of Wrangell, Skagway Convention and Visitors Bureau, Haines Borough, City and Borough of Juneau, City of Ketchikan and Tenakee Springs. There are many more organizations and groups interested in joining the project.
Progress to Date – The National Park Service working through its Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program and Utah State University have been talking to community groups along the proposed trail and preparing information for the public on gold rush related sites and visitor resources that can be visited in each participating community. A series of community meeting will be held next to gauge community interest in carrying this effort forward to completion. Mapping, economic impact, and marketing data is being collected for communities along the trail.
The International Gold Rush Trail is just a dream at this point. This dream points to a day were travelers can hike, kayak, bike and use Alaska ferries to retrace the Trail of ’98 from Seattle to Eagle and experience the rich history of this era right where it happened.
Copyright – 2010 by Alan Sorum
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