ab mountain trail - skagway region - may 2016
Continuing on our road trip up to Alaska, we took a side trip to Skagway, Alaska from Whitehorse for a few days. We crossed over White Pass and back officially into the US. It was raining when we got to Skagway so we just went to a bar and grabbed a few beers, then found a free camping area just outside town. We were the only ones out there since it was still early season, and very wet. I just slept in the car like I was always doing on the trip and Sarah pitched her tent.
The next morning we decided to do the Ab Mountain hike since we heard it provides commanding views of Taiya Inlet and you feel right in the center of the mountains. With a trailhead elevation of only 200 feet, it's a long and steep hike to treeline. The trail was in excellent shape though and we made good time to where the trail steepened through bushes. We popped out above the trees and saw the view I'd heard so much about! It was even better with all the surrounding snow covering the high peaks. We didn't go all the way to the summit but reached the 5,000 foot level before turning around. This hike is well worth the steep and tiring trail and probably has the best views you can get from anything close to Skagway.
Upon returning to town, the cruise shippers were in and the town was bustling with tourons looking to spend their money. We got a quick meal and I once again wasn't able to find ice cream, but we learned that the food delivery for the town wasn't able to make it because someone accidentally swapped the refrigerator and freezer on the delivery boat, ruining all the food for the entire town! We went back to the free campground and crashed.
The next morning we decided to do the Ab Mountain hike since we heard it provides commanding views of Taiya Inlet and you feel right in the center of the mountains. With a trailhead elevation of only 200 feet, it's a long and steep hike to treeline. The trail was in excellent shape though and we made good time to where the trail steepened through bushes. We popped out above the trees and saw the view I'd heard so much about! It was even better with all the surrounding snow covering the high peaks. We didn't go all the way to the summit but reached the 5,000 foot level before turning around. This hike is well worth the steep and tiring trail and probably has the best views you can get from anything close to Skagway.
Upon returning to town, the cruise shippers were in and the town was bustling with tourons looking to spend their money. We got a quick meal and I once again wasn't able to find ice cream, but we learned that the food delivery for the town wasn't able to make it because someone accidentally swapped the refrigerator and freezer on the delivery boat, ruining all the food for the entire town! We went back to the free campground and crashed.
