Introduction
Gold discovered in Alaska prompted thousands of Americans to explore the Alaskan wilderness in search of the precious metal. Believed to be started by American George Washington Carmack, Alaskan Native Skookum Jim Mason, and Alaskan Native Tagish Charlie from 1896-1899. The Alaskan river beds proved to be rich in gold, and many people flocked to those areas. Roughly 100,000 prospectors went to find gold, but only 30,000 made it to the Klondike, and only 4,000 people found gold.
Trails through the Alaska forests led to riverbeds that provided the gold. These trails include the Chilkoot Pass, the Valdez Trail, and the White Pass Trail. The Chilkoot Trail was perhaps the most dangerous, as it also included the Golden Staircase, which was a steep path that went through the rough Alaskan terrain. The Valdez Trail was controlled by the Apathaskan Tribes, until Alaska was bought by the United States in 1867, and was unused until the Alaskan Gold Rush. The White Pass Trail, also considered to be very dangerous, was a narrow passageway that trapped many prospectors on their journey to the Klondike.
Trails through the Alaska forests led to riverbeds that provided the gold. These trails include the Chilkoot Pass, the Valdez Trail, and the White Pass Trail. The Chilkoot Trail was perhaps the most dangerous, as it also included the Golden Staircase, which was a steep path that went through the rough Alaskan terrain. The Valdez Trail was controlled by the Apathaskan Tribes, until Alaska was bought by the United States in 1867, and was unused until the Alaskan Gold Rush. The White Pass Trail, also considered to be very dangerous, was a narrow passageway that trapped many prospectors on their journey to the Klondike.