SKAGWAY

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bethrobinson

Guest
HAS ANYONE DONE THE WHITE PASS ROUTE BY RENTAL CAR? 15 OF US ARE GOING JUNE 2ND AND WE WOULD LIKE THE FLEXIBILITY OF STOPPING WHEN AND WHERE WE WANT. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP OR OTHER TIPS ABOUT SKAGWAY.
THANKS!
 
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BSeabob

Guest
Well the first thing you need to make sure of is are you a US citizen ? Rental agencies there will only deal with a US citizen if you are planning on going into Canada. One of our weird laws comes into play there for Canadian citizens and US vehicles.

I have not done the drive but did the train which I recommend highly or some part of it anyways. There are various tours and combinations.
 
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bethrobinson

Guest
Thanks for the info. Yes, we are all US citizens. We just wondered if the drive followed the same path and if there was an advantage experience wise to the train.
 
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bethrobinson

Guest
Sorry, me again. I just noticed you are from British Columbia and we also need to know what excursions are recommended in Prince Rupert. Thanks!
 
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BSeabob

Guest
The highway goes up one side of the pass and the railway the other. Neither is much visible to the other and you get different views obviously. The train was great. We did the up and back. Seats flip over and you face the other way..... and you change sides with the folks that sat outside or visa versa on the way down. If you get Murray to come on this thread he is the expert..:) Lives up there.

Prince Rupert..what can I say. I spent a week there one night. If the weather is good it's beautiful like any Port up that way. Personally I would recommend the old Fish cannery down in Port Edward. It's not far but you will get a feel for what the country's like and the old Cannery operation. If your cruise happens to go to icy Point Straight then I'd skip the cannery in Rupert. Not sure what else anyone is offering as the time in port sometimes is really short. The Skeena River empties right there and there are Grizzly tours available into a park area that could be interesting if you seek the wildlife experience. The town area is fairly compact and walkable from the new cruise dock.
 
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mlpadg

Guest
We haven't driven that route yet, but have been on a tour bus with HAL in Jul 06 on that road. This summer in Jul 08, we have a car rented in Skagway and plan to drive to emerald lake. Follow the link at the end of this email, this may be the "Murray" some others are talking about. You will find maps, and milepost by milepost narratives here. Very helpful when driving. A stop at Carcross would be worth your time too. We have ridden the rail, was a nice trip but unless you go up on rail and back down on bus/van, it tends to get boring since you go through the same scenery both times. It doesn't seem that way on the road since you can make so many stops and look at your leisure. http://www.explorenorth.com/library/roads/sklondike-photos1.html
 
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wave runner

Guest
[quote bethrobinson]HAS ANYONE DONE THE WHITE PASS ROUTE BY RENTAL CAR? 15 OF US ARE GOING JUNE 2ND AND WE WOULD LIKE THE FLEXIBILITY OF STOPPING WHEN AND WHERE WE WANT. I APPRECIATE ANY HELP OR OTHER TIPS ABOUT SKAGWAY.
THANKS![/quote]

Hi bethrobinson:

We have made this drive in a rental car many times and have found it is one of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.
I would call ahead and reserve some cars right away as they do tend to sell out very early. The only major car rental company in Skagway is AVIS. Just to clarify one point mentioned above is that only the person renting the car and driving into Canada, need be from the US.
As you leave Skagway there is a very interesting old gold rush grave yard just outside of the town of Skagway. The notorious Soapy Smith is buried there. The road to get to the grave yard is just before you cross a railroad track and is right on the way to Emerald Lake. There is also a fantastic view of the harbor and all the cruise ships from the hill top. This road is about two or so miles past the railroad track, going toward Emerald Lake, and you would turn left and drive about another mile or two up the hill and it is marked as a tour bus stop. I believe the road is marked as the road to Dyai (sp?) but am not sure.

Renting a car is a lot cheaper than the $100+ cost per person for the train ride and you are right that you can stop when and where you want too.
 
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