Alaska is a land of mystery and beauty, yet it also contains sorrow and terror. Among the many haunting locales in the state, one stands out for its macabre history and frightening atmosphere: the Slide Cemetery in Dyea, near Skagway.
During the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898, a catastrophic avalanche killed scores of prospectors, and this ghost town cemetery is the ultimate resting place for them. Their souls are claimed to haunt the area, along with other paranormal activity. Here’s the story of Alaska’s haunting graveyard and why it’s so terrible.
Klondike Gold Rush and Chilkoot Trail
The Klondike Gold Rush was a gold-seeking frenzy that drew thousands of people from around the world to Canada’s Yukon Territory, where gold was discovered in 1896. To get to the gold fields, most prospectors had to travel via Alaska, taking one of two routes: the White Pass or the Chilkoot Trail. Both were hazardous and perilous, but the Chilkoot Trail was shorter and less expensive, making it the more popular option.
The Chilkoot Trail was 33 miles long, beginning in Dyea, a boomtown near Skagway, and ending at Lake Bennett, where prospectors could build boats and sail to the Klondike. The track was separated into four sections, each with its unique set of obstacles and hazards.
The most difficult and legendary stretch was the final one, known as the Golden Stairs, where the trail ascended sharply over the Chilkoot Pass to an elevation of 3,500 feet. Prospectors had to carry their supplies and equipment, which weighed at least 2,000 pounds, over the pass on many trips back and forth. It was a physically demanding and tedious task that could take weeks or months to complete.
The Palm Sunday Avalanche
The winter of 1897-1898 was especially harsh and snowy, causing unstable conditions on the Chilkoot Trail. The local Tlingit indigenous and experienced sourdoughs (old-timers) urged the prospectors not to travel on the trail while it was warm and sunny, as this increased the risk of avalanches. However, many prospectors were anxious and eager to reach the gold fields, so they ignored the warnings.
On April 3, 1898, a Sunday, the weather was clear and warm, and hundreds of prospectors were on the path, particularly along the Golden Staircase. Around 4 p.m., a series of avalanches began, caused by melting snow and vibrations from human activity.
The largest and most deadly avalanche came down from the peak of the pass, burying the trail and everything on it in 30 to 50 feet of snow. The avalanche was ultimately reported to have killed 60 to 100 people, making it one of Alaska’s greatest tragedies in history.
The Slide Cemetery
The victims’ remains were found in the snow over the next four days with the assistance of dogs and volunteers. Some of the victims were mangled and disfigured by the power of the avalanche, while others were never discovered.
The dead were carried to Dyea and interred in a mass grave in what became known as the Slide Cemetery. The cemetery was built on a hillside that overlooked the town and the path. Wooden crosses and headstones were erected to commemorate the graves, some with names and dates, others with just numbers or initials.
The Slide Cemetery quickly became a source of sadness and grieving, as well as a reminder of the perils and hardships of the gold rush. Many prospectors who survived the avalanche or came later went to the cemetery to pay their respects to the fallen or to hunt for acquaintances or relatives among the deceased. Some visitors experienced a sensation of disquiet and grief in the cemetery as if the victims’ spirits were still present, restless and unhappy.
The Haunting of Slide Cemetery
Over time, the Slide Cemetery became a source of intrigue and anxiety for both locals and visitors. Many stories and traditions have emerged regarding the cemetery’s haunting and paranormal activity. Some of the reports and sightings include:
- The sound of groaning, wailing, or screaming emanating from the cemetery, particularly at night or during thunderstorms.
- Ghostly creatures clothed in old-fashioned garb can be seen roaming among the graves or on the trail, occasionally disappearing into thin air or snow.
- The sensation of being observed, pursued, or touched by unseen entities, or of being pushed or pulled by invisible forces.
- The aroma of rotting flesh, blood, or sulfur in the air, or the taste of metal or salt in the mouth.
- Electronic devices, such as cameras, phones, or spotlights, may malfunction or interfere with radio or TV signals near the cemetery.
- Following a visit to the cemetery, individuals may experience nightmares, images, or hallucinations relating to the avalanche or gold rush.
- The appearance of physical injuries on the body, such as scratches, bruises, or burns, following a visit to the cemetery.
The Ghost Town of Dyea
The Slide Cemetery isn’t the only haunted location in the neighborhood. The cemetery is located in Dyea, a ghost town that has been abandoned and forgotten by most people. Dyea was formerly a busy town, with over 10,000 residents and a diverse range of enterprises and services, including hotels, saloons, stores, banks, churches, and newspapers. It was the main entrance to the Klondike and the beginning point for the Chilkoot Trail.
However, Dyea’s success was short-lived, as the gold rush subsided and the railroad was built via the rival town of Skagway, rendering the Chilkoot Trail redundant. By 1900, the majority of the population had departed Dyea, and the town had slowly fallen and decayed. By the 1950s, Dyea had been nearly completely abandoned, with only a few buildings and structures remaining, including the old wharf, post office, church, and cemetery.
Dyea is now part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and tourists can investigate its history and hauntings. The cemetery still exists, albeit some of the graves have been destroyed or ruined by nature, animals, or vandalism. The cemetery serves as a somber and haunting reminder of the past, as well as a chilling attraction for the curious and daring.