If you are in Whitehorse, YT and looking for an easy stroll, you can take the 4 km paved loop Millennium trail that runs along side the Yukon River and crosses on a footbridge just below the dam and fish ladders. This is a multi-use accessible trail that would make for a relaxing ride with the family. We combined this with a tour of the SS Klondike, which we enjoyed and recommend.
The Yukon River in Whitehorse from the Millennium Trail
Millennium Trail
Dam on the Yukon River seen from Millenium Trail
SS Klondike viewed from Millennium Trail
The SS Klondike is a 240 foot sternwheeler (paddlewheel on the stern or back of boat), which was used to haul ore and supplies between Whitehorse and Dawson City, YT. The SS Klondike was the largest sternwheeler on the upper Yukon River and the flagship of the British Yukon Navigation fleet. She was last in service in 1955. The boat has been restored and this Natural Historic Site is under the supervision of Parks Canada. They have ample parking off Robert Service Way for those not walking. There is an 18 minute film, interpretive visitor center and a self-guiding tour of the SS Klondike. This is a free tour. The walking tour starts at the bow of the boat, then enters into the cargo area and engine room. You then ascend a short, steep staircase to the upper sun deck where the skiffs were stored. You get to view the galley, pantry and dining areas. There are great relics on board, such as the fire cart and fire buckets, wood carts, and exhibit food cargo containers.
Fire cart
Buckets for fire on sun deck
Engine Room
Anchors
The SS Klondike was built in 1929. Whitehorse was the site of transfer between rails and riverboats. Steam powered riverboats were central to the development of the Yukon. The SS Klondike could haul 300 tons of cargo without having to push a barge. It would take 36 hours to make the downstream run, but 4-5 days to go upstream. There were stops along the way to take on wood, as each sternwheeler consumed as much as two cords of wood per hour. Ore was hauled downstream and supplies hauled upstream. Each bag of ore weighed 125 lbs and each bag was loaded by hand! They had carts with steel wheels to move the wood and ore between cargo bay and shore.
