Yukon and Alaska Bound Part 39. Back in Dawson City, Yukon

Dawson City, Yukon

In Dawson City's goldfields, about 100 families are still placier mining for gold. Gold mining is a dirty job. Old machines are for ever breaking down, and spare parts are hard to get. Time is of the essence, when the creeks freeze, the gold washing is done for the year.

Placier gold mining is messing up the whole landscape around Dawson. Gravel trailings look like lying elephants along the valley bottoms, but no harsh chemicals are used for this method of mining, not like in hardrock gold- and silver mining. 

Goldbottom original store

Goldminer's outfit

The citizens of Dawson voted to keep the tailings exposed, looking like gravel pits, rather than to remedy by adding silt and let the vegetation grow back. This unusual landscape has become the symbol and trade mark of Dawson City.

Hansuli and Lisbeth with a Mammoth tooth at Goldbottom Mine

Panning for Gold

The evening of the 3rd of August, we just had a BBQ supper at the campers after a leisurely day visiting the sites in town and doing laundry. Dieter, a cyclist we had met on Top of the World Highway on his bike dropped in for a glass of wine and some food. This crazy Swiss guy from Thun cycled Alaska and the Yukon all by himself.

Lisbeth and Hansuli with views from the Midnight Dome above Dawson

On August 4th, we took another gold mining tour to the  Goldbottom Mine on Hunker Creek. Martin, our Arcadian guide from Moncton, New Brunswick had a few sayings: "What happens in the Yukon stays in the Yukon", and "Yukon men are men, and so are the women!". Martin was a very good guide. We all learned more about gold mining, and we all tried to pan some gold in the creek..

Annemarie and Christian at Diamond tooth Gerties

That evening, we all went to Diamond Tooth Gerties. This is the local dance and gambling hall. The show was pretty good. The dancing girls were doing the Can-can. Gertie sang and knew how to work the crowd. I am sure just like in the good old days.

At Diamond Tooth Gerties

Gambling was in full swing at the tables and at the One-armed Jacks. Anders even won $ 11.00. We all had a good time.

St. Andrew's Church

The Dawson City People are a special breed. They come from all over the world. In the gold rush time  the newcomers were called Chechako or Neophytes, and only became a Sourdough by staying and surviving in Dawson at least one winter. Even today, there is a pride and adventure aura about the Dawson citizens. 

Dawson is a interesting little town to walk around in and to enjoy the quaint stores, museum, old buildings, and its unique people. For more pictures check out our album.

Dawson City

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