Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park has closed the U.S. side of the Chilkoot Trail to all use due to flooding conditions along the Taiya River. Park officials will continue to assess conditions to determine when the trail can be reopened. Contact the Trail Center in Skagway (907-983-9234) for the latest trail conditions and closure information.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Juneau Office issued a Flood Warning on Monday August 13 at 6:30 pm after the Taiya River reached moderate flood stage over 17 feet. Flooding submerged sections of the Chilkoot Trail with hazardous, swift-flowing, waist-deep water. This trail closure comes less than a week after flood waters closed the trail for two days August 8-10th.
The trail is closed until further notice. Based on NWS forecasts and river level projections over the next 48 hours, the U.S. side of the trail is not expected to reopen today. Park officials will reassess conditions later today at 4pm and again Wednesday morning to decide if the trail can be reopened.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park was created in 1976 to preserve and interpret the historic structures, trails, artifacts, landscapes, and stories associated with the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98. The park preserves 23 historic structures in Skagway, the historic Chilkoot Trail in partnership with Parks Canada, and is the most visited national park site in Alaska.
Original source can be found here.
