Dawson City – Day 2
Off to a tour of another historical site. This time Dredge #4. Now I know where huge tailings piles come from. From huge machines like this of which this is the largest. This is a one stop placer gold mining machine. Gold laden gravel is scooped in the front, processed in a sluice, and deposited out the back, hopefully minus the gold. Simple concept carried out by an amazingly huge and complex machine.
Great tour explaining the process and how all the parts of the dredge operated. We have lots of pictures of the inner workings which we may album later.
The dredge was basically land locked. It floated in a pool/pond of water and worked the gravel in front of it depositing tailings behind. It then moved forward a few feet and repeated the process, basically taking its pond along with it. Dredges could cover amazing distances using this process.
The road in the center going up to the left is following Bonanza Creek. Just beyond the green ridge on the valley floor is the Klondike River. Dredge #4 was built at the junction of the creek and the river. It is now located several miles beyond the green notch in the center of the picture. About 10 miles upcreek and several hundred feet higher in elevation. It got there by scooping and moving forward a few feet at a time.
From the dredge we drove to the top of Midnight Dome, a high hill overlooking Dawson city and the river valleys. On the way we spooked a black bear sitting in the middle of the road. Came on him so quickly we couldn’t get a picture.
Dawson City, junction of Klondike and Yukon Rivers, and view upriver of Yukon River.
Back to town for a few more pictures.
This is what happens if a building is placed directly on permafrost.
Dawson City’s bordello (historic – not operating now ;) ) and red light district (small houses behind main building)
We decided we’d take the car across the river on the ferry and check out the other side. Once across we drove up the road about a mile and down the road to the golf course. Yes, there is a golf course. We were after a view spot.
Dawson City.
Midnight Dome back left.
Confluence of Klondike (top, center, clear) and Yukon (right, bottom, muddy) Rivers
Here is the whole thing.
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