August 05, 2018
This morning I made my way to Atlin, BC. It seems funny that I would drive through Alaska – BC – Yukon – BC again, but that is the geographics of this area.
I made a few mountainscape stops as the scenery was quite lovely.
I stopped at the historic old log cabin only to find placards as the old cabin was completely gone. I checked everywhere for it. LOL
I stopped at the Suspension Bridge, but did not go inside when I saw that it was $18.00 per adult. A gentleman did come out and we talked for about 20 minutes. He was from northern BC and had bought this place. A tour bus was pulling up and he had to go.
Continuing on my way, I stopped in Carcross. This was an interesting place and also very historic. It was here, at the Bennett Lake where all of the Gold Rush people from the White Pass and Chilkoot Pass would get to … those that survived and those that did not turn back. There were a great number of old buildings in this area as well. Some very interesting structures can be found in this town.
Matthew Watson General Store is one of Yukon’s longest operating businesses. After a fire in 1909 that burned down the original store, the second store was reconstructed using two buildings that were moved here from Conrad and Bennett City. Matthew Watson was a prospector who came over the Chilkoot Pass in 1899 and he bought the store in 1911. He and his family ran the store until 1982. When I went into the store, it still had the old liniment jars on the shelf … love it!
This building was originally the North West Mounted Police barracks and jail for Carcross. It was built around 1900.
Skookum Jim, or Keish, had this house built in 1899, just after he discovered gold near Dawson City. He had the lumber and furniture imported from Skagway and shipped to Lake Bennett by White Pass and Yukon Route and then by raft to Carcross.
I noticed some old building across the Nares River and drove around to take some photo’s … they were no longer being used or upgraded. They made for some great photo’s though.
After spending a couple of hours here, I made my way to Atlin and most businesses were closed.
I drove about 32 km passed Atlin and set up camp at Warm Bay, BC. This is a recreation site right by Atlin Lake and is free.
Beautiful end to a grand day!