Preparing to Climb ‘The Golden Stair’ and Peterson’s Trail, Chilkoot Pass, Alaska, c1898.
Stereoscopic view of the camp at the base of the golden staircase on the Chilkoot Trail. The area is stacked with goods and a number of inidividuals are visible.
Inscription recto: Preparing to climb ‘The Golden Stair’ and Peterson’s Trail, Chilkoot Pass, Alaska.
Inscription verso: The Alaska Gold Rush, Chilkoot Pass Alaska // In 1897-98 the rush to the gold fields of Alaska and the Yukon took place. In these two years some 40,000 men entered the Klondike region. These men came from all parts of the world. Miners from California, Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and other of our western states took passage from San Francisco, Seattle and other western cities for the gold area. South Africa miners took pick and shovel and sailed for the Yukon. Even far-away Australia responded to the call.
Here you are on the trail, with these men who gathered from the four corners of the earth. Dog sledges have been used to cart their belongings to this pass. Tents have been set up, and the little village at the base of the mountain has sprung up over night. In the bundles are clothing, provisions, miners’ kits and what-not. But why, you ask, have they stopped here? There is no gold at this place, it is true. The steep mountains in the background answer your question. This is the famous Peterson’s Trail over the Chilkoot Pass in Alaska. The ships that brought the miners landed at Juneau or at Skagway. To reach the gold fields to the north and northwest, the range of mountains had to be climbed. The easiest trail was though the Chilkoot Pass. But it was, as you see, a steep one, hard to climb, and especially difficult in winter time. The miners piled their belongings at the foot of the mountain, and waited for dog sledges to take them over the pass. Small fortunes were spent to secure teams, because each man was in a hurry to get to the gold fields. Mose of them packed their bundles on their backs and struggled bravely over the steep pass. You will observe that each miner is keeping a sharp eye on his belongings for very good reason.
