Introduction

"During early July, 2004 members of the Trails Club of Oregon embarked on an historical journey that retraced the footsteps of 20,000 Klondikers seeking their fortune in the goldfields of Alaska during 1898-1899. These rugged adventurers were required to move approximately 2000 pounds of goods along a difficult trail starting in Skagway Alaska, and ending 33 miles later at Bennett Lake. There they would spend the harsh winter building boats to carry their goods further north to Dawson City along the Yukon River. While we only made one trip with our 50-60 pound packs, these individuals had to make 40 such trips to shuttle their gear to their boats at Bennett Lake. The sad part is that after all their troubles and hardships in getting to Dawson City, most found all the rich gold-bearing land had already been claimed. Few ever found the rich rewards they sought. Most returned poorer than when they left, richer only in the sense of discovering something about themselves and the beauty of the land they had seen. Thus became the inspiration for our retracing the footsteps of these hearty people."