27

The 36 arrived in Pyramid Harbour in early spring. Setting up their military style camp, they prepared to hike up the Chilkat River valley. Why were they here instead of in the Klondike? Where exactly were the 36 going? Who was funding them? Did they have information about a strike that no one else had?

The 36 were not nearly as unnoticed as they had hoped. Mysterious, perhaps but not unobserved:

“When I reached this place (Pyramid Harbour) I found that the stories of gold had leaked out, and already a well equipped party of more than 30 men had landed here. To be exact, there are 36 of them; and owing to the absolute secrecy which they maintain regarding their destination they are already known as the Mysterious 36," Arthur Thompson from Gold Seeking on the Dalton Trail.

28

Cache of provisions on Cannery Wharf, Pyramid Harbour
1898
Pyramid Harbor

Credits:
(MacBride Museum Collection 1989.30.8)

29

From Pyramid Harbour, the real work began for the 36. They headed inland and began prospecting across large areas of what is now Southwest Yukon. All the supplies had to be hauled by hand and sled over a mountain range including a substantial summit. The weather in March was beginning to thaw creating
challenging river crossings to accompany the tough hauls over mountains passes. The following series of photographs illustrates the magnificence of the landscape and the efforts of the men who crossed it.

30

Hauling sleds of supplies and equipment over ice on the Chilkat River.
1898
Chilkat River

31

'Klahena River, L. M. and B.' 3 men with sled on river
1898
Klahena River

Credits:
(MacBride Museum Collection 1989.30.49)

32

Making snow trail before Kluck wan
1898
Klukwan

Credits:
(MacBride Museum Collection 1989.30.47

33

Large group of men lifting and carrying loaded sleds across the Chilkat river.
1898
Chilkat River

34

'Ford, Klahena River' group of men lifting and carrying a sled across the river.
1898
Klahena River

35

Group of First Nations packers near Klehini River
1898
Klehini River

Credits:
(MacBride Museum Collection 1989.30.167)

36

The trails that were used by the Mysterious 36 had long been traveled by First Nations. Without their assistance as guides and packers it would have been impossible to move large quantities of supplies in a short period.

37

3 men hauling sleds up a steep hill.
27 March 1898
Pleasant Camp

38

Rainy Hollow, foot of second summit
1 April 1898
Rainy Hollow

Credits:
(MacBride Museum Collection 1989.30.98)

39

Dalton's Hill
1898
Dalton Hill

Credits:
(MacBride Museum Collection 1989.30.91)

40

Klehini Valley from Chilkat Pass
1898
Chilkat Pass

Credits:
(MacBride Museum Collection 1989.30.59)