Dyea’s Hidden Gems

A view of the Dyea Flats from AB Mountain. There used a be a lot of people down there. Today, not so much.

Cruise ship passengers on their second or third trip to Skagway may think that they’ve done everything there is to do. If you’ve already visited Skagway, perhaps you rode the train, went to both of the microbreweries, and hiked one or two local trails. Perhaps you took a helicopter to the glacier, went dog mushing, and took a private tour to the Yukon. If so, you may be thinking there’s no reason to get off of the ship while it’s docked in Skagway. Well let me tell you something – you are wrong!

The ghost town of Dyea is only 10 miles by road from Downtown Skagway. Dyea is full of hidden gems that will make your next visit to Skagway unforgettable. Let’s explore Dyea’s hidden gems in today’s blog entitled…. uh…. Dyea’s Hidden Gems.

What the heck is a Dyea?

For many centuries, Dyea was a seasonal fishing camp for the Chilkat Tlingit people. It was also the start of a trade corridor with First Nations people living in the interior. The Tlingit people used a trade route called the Chilkoot Trail for this purpose. The name Dyea (Dayéi) means “to pack.” Makes sense, right? The Tlingit people were protective of this trade route and didn’t let anyone else use it. If I owned a trade route, I wouldn’t let anyone use it either.

Everything changed in the years leading up to the Klondike Gold Rush. Arrangements were made to allow gold miners access to the trail. The first groups of miners used the trail in the early 1880s and they were accompanied by indigenous guides. When the Gold Rush began, Dyea became a boomtown and there were suddenly people all over the place. The trail was jam-packed with people. If you’ve seen the famous photo of the miners hiking up the Golden Staircase, then you know what I’m talking about. Climbing a mountain with 2,000 pounds of supplies while staring at a person’s butt is not my idea of fun, especially if they’re fond of beans.

When the White Pass Railway was completed, Dyea became obsolete. Today, there are few remnants of the townsite but there are plenty of hidden gems that will give you some exciting things to do during your next Skagway visit. That’s what this blog is about!

Trails in Dyea

Who doesn’t like hiking? There are a few great trails in Dyea including the aforementioned Chilkoot Trail. You can hike on the Chilkoot Trail on our Hike & Float Tour. Lost Lake is another popular hike but its steep and you need to be in good physical condition. You can also hike around the old townsite and the Dyea Flats looking at interpretive displays and scanning for wildlife. Just imagine what life was like in 1898 and you’ll be glad it’s 2019.

Wildlife in Dyea

This is a picture from the Dyea Flats. Do not park your car here!

All sorts of wild animals hang out in Dyea. The best place to view wildlife is the Dyea Flats. During the spring it’s common to see northern harriers, bald eagles, and countless migratory birds enjoying whatever it is they enjoy. Summertime brings the salmon and they often fill the sloughs that meander through the flats. Late summer brings brown bears. If you’re lucky, you may spot one on a horseback riding tour or bicycle tour.

West Creek

If you rent a Jeep, you can drive out to West Creek Road and climb the mountain toward a beautiful glacier. It’s the first left turn after going over the second Dyea Bridge. You eventually get to a blue bridge that crosses the creek. You can park here and go hiking on some trails that are under construction. If you drive to the top you will see some stunning views of the glacier. This is a popular spot for locals trying to get away from the summer hustle so try and leave them alone because they may be cranky.

Getting to Dyea

There are a few tours that travel to Dyea including the Musher’s Camp and Grizzly Falls Zipline. You can rent a Jeep and tour Dyea on your own. We can also arrange a private Dyea tour with a local guide that knows where to find all of the hidden gems. Whatever you choose, we are quite certain that you’re going to have a great day in Dyea because it is a beautiful place full of natural wonders and interesting historical landmarks.