CARCROSS

NAME: Carcross COUNTY: South Yukon ROADS: 2WD GRID: 1 CLIMATE: Snow Winter, Warm Summers BEST TIME TO VISIT: Summer - Late July to Early September

COMMENTS: Maybe 50 residents, mostly natives. Located at the head waters of the Yukon River on Lake Bennett. Can be reached on highway between Skagway, Alaska and Whitehorse, YT. REMAINS: Many buildings from Boom days of Yukon Gold Rush and WP&YR railway

In its glory days, Carcross had a population of over 20,000 - for about 6 months. As the Klondike gold rush grew, many gathered on the shores of Lake Bennett waiting for the ice to break on Yukon. Many logged and whip-sawed lumber to make boats to float their supplies down the river. Thanks to the NWMP and Sam Steel, many a boats man was saved. In early May of 1898, the river ice broke and the great race was begun for the gold fields of Bonaza creek. Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, co-discovers of gold in the Klondike are buried in the cemetary here. After the gold rush died down, Carcross (formaly Caribu Crossing) became a stopping point for the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. The WP&YR no longer runs, but the tracks still run along the lake. Submitted by: Dan Young

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