Thanks to the late afternoon sunshine, the slow progress of the Piper at a comparatively low altitude, and the stunning scenery, the forty-one minute flight is the most amazing experience. We have stunning views of the inlets, mountain peaks, and glaciers of Glacier Bay and the surrounding mountains. The inlets are bordered with the tree-covered slopes of hills; the nearer mountains are rugged and have patches of snow; the more distant mountains appear to be inhospitable and have extensive snow; and the glaciers snake their way icily between the peaks. At the highest (14,000-feet) part of our flight, there is much more snow, and then we are soon descending towards the Lynn Canal to cross the peninsula that contains the small town of Haines. We then fly up the narrow Taiya Inlet towards Skagway. A courtesy bus takes us into Skagway and to our hotel for the next two nights, the Westmark Inn.

Before a very filling dinner in the hotel's Chilkoot Dining Room, we explore Skagway and find an internet cafe (left) that enables David to get news from home.

 

The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway was completed in 1900, the entire 110-mile line having been built in just two years, two months, and two days. This morning, after a short walk from our hotel, we take the 8:30am departure for the 3-hour trip that will cover the 20-miles from Skagway to the White Pass summit (2,888-feet) at the border with Canada.

Our train is to be pulled by three General Electric diesel locomotives, built specially for this line in the 1950s. These three yellow and green monsters will pull twelve wooden train cars, four of which are waiting at the depot, and an additional eight are to be connected at the harbour after taking on board cruise ship passengers. 

The train follows the east bank of the Skagway River as it passes Gold Rush Cemetery; Rocky Point; Bridal Veil Falls; Inspiration Point; Dead Horse Gulch; Cantilever Bridge; and then passes through a tunnel to reach the Canadian border. As we climb the average grade of 2.6%, the forest gives way to subalpine meadows, and then barren scenery.