During the Klondike Gold Rush, Chilkoot Pass was a crucial route used by prospectors and packers to navigate through the challenging terrain of the mountains. It served as a gateway to the gold fields of the Yukon, attracting thousands of fortune seekers in search of riches.
To facilitate the transportation of goods and equipment over the pass, three aerial tramways and several surface hoists were constructed and operated briefly. These engineering marvels played a vital role in overcoming the rugged landscape and harsh conditions of the region.
With the construction of the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad in neighboring White Pass, the Chilkoot Pass route gradually fell out of favor with miners. The more efficient and reliable railroad offered a faster and easier alternative for transporting supplies to the gold fields.
Today, Chilkoot Pass and the Chilkoot Trail are administered by the national park services of the U.S. and Canada. The B.C. side is managed as Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, while the Alaska side is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. In 1998, the Site and the Park joined forces to form Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park.
