First published: 20/10/23.

J_Neveryes 4.0

Tr’Ondëk-Klondike

Tr’ondëk-Klondike (Inscribed)

Tr’ondëk-Klondike by J_neveryes

Yukon is a vast wild place, but is the most accessible of Canada's three northern territories.  Unlike most parts of Northwest Territories or Nunavut, a decent portion of "sights" in Yukon is accessible by road, which includes Dawson City. 

Dawson City is not a “wild north” ghost town, but it can feel like one, with its leaning or disused old buildings. For a town born out of chaos, it’s grid layout makes this intriguing town an easy place to explore. 

Dawson City is not only worthy of a visit due to its earnest, unpolished charm, but due to the many unique characters that this city attracted and continues to attract.  You have to be more than a little odd to choose to live in a place where the winter temperature can dip to -45 Celsius and there is only 4 hours of sunlight in December. 

I strongly suggest that you read late Pierre Berton's most entertaining "Klondike: The Last Great Gold Rush, 1896-1899" to learn about the outrageous characters and stories of this area. Knowing Dawson City’s very colourful history will allow you to appreciate it as more than a place with old buildings set in a wild scenery.

If you are in Dawson, perhaps drinking the infamous sourtoe cocktail (whiskey with an actual pickled human toe) at The Downtown Hotel, you should also visit the Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site and the Tombstone Territorial Park.  The road to/through the Tombstone Territorial Park is rough, and the Park contains very few amenities, e.g., nearest gas station could be as far as 365 kilometres away. Having a truly wild park to yourself will be an amazing experience, but it also means that you have to go prepared.

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