From Carcross I continued along the Klondike Highway through the Yukon and British Columbia to Skagway which is in Alaska, in the process I passed through what must be one of the remotest Immigration and Customs stations.

Skagway was so remote that when in 1871 Canada proposed a survey to establish the boundary between British Columbia and Alaska the idea was rejected by the United States as being too costly, given the area's remoteness, sparse settlement, and limited economic or strategic interest.

In 1896 all that changed with the Klondike gold rush.  Skagway became the jumping off point for prospectors who arrived by ship and who were then faced with a 500 mile overland journey to the gold fields in Canada.  This journey began by climbing the mountains over the White Pass above Skagway.

Driving down the modern road between Carcross and Skagway is challenging enough as it is frequently narrow and twisty with a rock face on one side and a drop on the other.  In unpleasant weather and is not one of the most enjoyable drives.

The first picture shows the road heading for the mountains with an ice covered lake ahead.

Having reached the lake you could see that it was slowly melting though most of it was still covered with ice.

Further along the road crosses over the track of the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad to Carcross and Whitehorse, it now only operates in the summer.

The countryside opens out somewhat just before the Alaska border as the picture below shows.

Continuing along the Klondike Highway you climb back into the snow.

A view from the side of the road showing the sort of terrain the prospectors would have had to cross.

Eventually you drop down out of the mountains and into the town and port of Skagway and into a beautiful sunny day.

Near the port and railroad station is this Skagway Centennial Statue which is set in a small park. 

The harbour at Skagway, cruise ships dock at the extreme end where there is a small terminal building.

Turning around you are looking across the Skagway Centennial Park and into the town itself with the mountains looming overhead.

One notable feature of Skagway is that you can never forget that you are surrounded by high (and snow covered) mountains, this is a typical view when you look up.