We drove about 500 kms farther north to Dawson City - a destination my father has had in mind for years. He's read lots of books on the gold rush and the thousands of people who endured unbelievable hardships to strike it rich at the turn of the last century. On day we followed a road up into the mountains behind Dawson to "The Dome," from where we were treated to a 360 degree view of the mountains, valleys and the townsite far below. (Pic 1).
Dad was thrilled to find the place where the original claim was staked on Bonanza Creek, just a few kilometers outside of Dawson. (Pics 2,3).
When the gold rush of individual miners played out, the gold was then dredged with huge machines on an industrial scale until the 1960's. We had a very informative tour of Dredge #4, now an historical site, located just a few kilometers upstream from that first claim on Bonanza Creek. (Pic 4)
On our last day, we spent a few hours in the Dawson City Museum. (Pic 5). Then, we set off back to Whitehorse. We stopped for a snack along the way and to watch the sun set on on another satisfying day on the road. (Pic 6)
