Chilkoot Trail Canyon City to Sheep Camp Tuesday 14^th July

On the far side of the river was the site of Canyon City. It was also the first station of an aerial ropeway that for a hefty fee could transport your goods up and across the most difficult top section of the pass. All that remains at the ‘City’ is the boiler that powered the ropeway and a bit further along, a dilapidated cabin, plus a few rusty bits of metal in the undergrowth.

There was interesting coral like fungus along the trail. 

We passed through Pleasant Camp but there was no story as to the origin of the name.

We were soon at Sheep Camp so called as it was a First Nation dall (meaning mountain in Tlingit language) sheep hunting camp and located on a flatish piece of land just at the edge of the tree line so it had wood for fuel and some protection against wind and rain. This is no flat lanf=d here so the rangers have built platforms to put your tent on.

Inser photo of camp and board

We had a talk from the ranger that evening to reiterate not to touch anything and something of the history and flora. Blue and black berries were either edible or non poisonous whilst red berries were usually deadly even in small quantities and to be avoided unless you can positively identify it as one of the edible types. Best to let someone else try first. Ranger Cori also gave a demonstration of a neat trick that amused the children amongst the party. If you chew one of the leaves, it encourages spittle production and turns it a (harmless) vivid bright green.