CHILKOOT PASS, a pass over the moun tains in the northern part of Alaska, traversed by thousands of gold-seekers in the Klondike gold fields' excitement in 1896-98. By way of the Chilkoot Pass is the most direct route to Dawson City, the principal starting point to the Klondike region. The trail starts from Dyea, along the river of that name, and crosses the Pass at an elevation of 3,500 feet, to the head of Lake Lindeman, a total distance of miles. From the latter place to Dawson City is 548 miles. The Chilkoot Pass route is the old trail used for generations by the Indians, and for many years was the only one taken by miners and prospectors to reach the interior. It is by far the shortest route to the Yukon. The difficulties and dangers attending this route are many, and the steepness and roughness of the ascent have proved fatal in numerous in stances, to those unaccustomed to endure hard ships. The summit of the Pass is 13 miles from
Dyea, the first six miles being traversed by a good wagon road. Owing to the winding of the Dyea River that stream had to be crossed sev eral times by ford or ferry. The trail then enters a narrow canon with steep, rocky sides, which it follows to Sheep Camp, four and a half miles farther on, which point is the timber line. From Sheep Camp to the summit the rise is from 1,800 feet in three and a half miles, to 1,000 feet in half a mile, and here masses of broken rock make the ascent, which is in some places almost perpendicular, difficult and hazardous. As a general route to the Klondike and to the country over the mountains Chil koot Pass has been superseded by the railway through White Pass.