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Want To Hike The Chilkoot Trail? It's Going To Cost You $20

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Published Date

September 6, 2017

Stampeders, loaded with gear, wait in line starting up Chilkoot Pass. National Park Service, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Candy Waugaman Collection, KLGO Library SS-126-8831

It's going to cost a bit more to hike the Chilkoot Trail (this is the "Golden Stairs section) at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Alaska beginning in October/NPS

It costs quite a bit to maintain the Chilkoot Trail at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and to respond to hiker emergencies, and that's why the cost for taking a hike up the trail is rising to $20 in October.

Under the plan, hiking permits will increase from $15 to $20 for adults and $7.50 to $10 for youth ages 6-16 per trip. This change will begin on October 15 for reservations of hiking permits for the 2018 season.

In addition to the U.S. fee, Parks Canada also charges $34.30 Canadian Dollars (CAD) per adult and $17.10 (CAD) per youth. To learn how to reserve a Chilkoot Trail hiking permit, visit nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/permits.

The decision to increase the fee follows a public planning process that began in April including a public meeting in May at the Skagway Traditional Council, informal consultation, a news release, and resources posted for public review on the internet.

“The increased revenue enables the park to improve trail conditions and safety, enhance facilities, and provide a more enjoyable back-country experience for the visitor,” said Klondike Gold Rush Superintendent Mike Tranel. Permit fees were last increased from $10 to $15 in 2008.

The hiking experience has improved over the last decade thanks to projects funded by fees. The declining number of visitor injuries and costly medical evacuations from the back-country can be in part attributed to the high quality of trail construction and maintenance over the last several years. Recreation fee revenue has enabled the park to complete projects such as the replacement of older traditional pit toilets with newly designed and more environmentally sound and sustainable moldering composting toilet systems. Recreation fees also provide for periodic replacement of warming shelter covers and deteriorating camp amenities such as wood stoves and bear-proof food lockers. Additional revenue generated by a fee increase will help ensure facilities and services continue at a level the Chilkoot Trail hiker has come to expect.

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