Tour Details & What’s Included
Join experienced guides on an exciting hiking adventure through the Tongass Rainforest that immerses you in the incredible beauty of Southeast Alaska. Your adventure will begin with a guided driving town tour of Skagway and continue up the White Pass on the Klondike Highway. Along the way your guide will regale you with history about the Klondike Gold Rush and the natural history of the area.
From the trailhead you will spend the next 2 hours hiking through the beautiful alpine forest surrounded by the towering snow capped mountains of the White Pass. Your naturalist guides will stop frequently along the way to share their knowledge about the native flora, fauna, and to describe the amazing glacial history of Alaska. Each group is outfitted with binoculars to maximize your opportunities to see up close the spectacular mountain and river scenery. Midway through the hike you will be treated to a delicious snack at the final breathtaking overlook with incredible views of the Skagway valley, White Pass, and the Lynn Canal.
This is a great active family experience and kids are welcome (minimum age of 6). Bring your camera!!
Excursion Timing
(~10 minutes) – Your friendly guide will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. Here they will take the opportunity to get to know you and provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion.
(~ 15 minutes) – We’ll depart from our meeting point by van for an interpretive driving tour of historic downtown Skagway on our way up the Klondike Highway to our private Porcupine Mountain trailhead.
(~15 minutes) – Once we arrive a short walk will bring us to the trailhead where your guide will provide a safety briefing and get you outfitted with trekking poles for the hike.
(~110 minutes) – From here we’ll continue uphill along the trail stopping at a series of scenic viewpoints that take in the vistas of the Skagway Valley and White Pass. Along the way, your expert guide will share their knowledge of the native flora and fauna and the unique geological history of the area as we pass through multiple ecosystems. After a rest at the last viewpoint we’ll head back down the trail to our rough-cut timber kiosk for some hot cocoa and trail mix.
(~15 minutes) – We’ll depart the trail for a scenic ride back through the Skagway Valley and back to town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will I meet my guide?
Your guide will meet you 30 minutes prior to the tour start time to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. If you are arriving by cruise ship, your guide will meet you at the end of the pier that your ship docks at. Please stay at your cruise ship dock if you are a cruise ship passenger. Your guide will be holding a sign that says with the name of your tour.
FOR NON CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS, the meeting location is the Small Boat Harbor sign. 205 Congress Way, Skagway, AK 99840.
Who are my guides?
You guides are experts in the industry. They are fun, well-trained and passionate about guiding and sharing their expert knowledge about the history and natural wonder of Haines and Skagway, Alaska with you! Our staff all go through extensive training and hold current first-aid (mostly WFR and WEMT) certification. Many of our guides also lead courses and guided expedition trips for us both in Alaska and throughout the world.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes – restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour and a non-flushing “outhouse” style restroom on-site.
Do you cancel due to weather?
Our tours embrace Southeast Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Our tours run rain or shine. If in a rare instance weather does cause us to cancel the tour you will be refunded in full and provided with assistance with finding an alternative activity for the day.
How long is the trail?
Approximately 2-3 miles.
What is the trail like?
You’ll be hiking over uneven, natural terrain. There are exposed roots, rocks and sometimes slippery and muddy sections. In certain sections we’ll use hand lines to help with getting up and down some steeper parts of the trail.
