After reaching the top of the pass for the last time, the stampeders had to backpack all their supplies another 25.75 km (16 miles). The Klondike could only be reached by the Yukon River, either upstream from its delta, downstream from its head, or from somewhere in the middle through its tributaries. 

At Lakes Bennett and Lindeman, the stampeders camped and cut down trees to build rafts and vessels of all types to cross a series of lakes that would take them the final 800 km (500 miles) down the Yukon to Dawson City in the spring, 1898. 

On the river route, prospectors had to navigate the winds of the headwater lakes, the rapids at Miles Canyon, Five Finger Rapids, and White Horse Rapids. Their long journey finally ended at Dawson City.

Another detachment of the Canadian North-West Mounted Police ensured that stampeders crossed safely in their homemade vessels. They registered and inspected ensuring that the vessels were worthy of the rapids that lay ahead.

Between 1898 and 1899, the Mounties registered 7,124 boats (anything that would stay afloat) and the names of the individuals who sailed in them. Above Whitehorse, it was dangerous, with several rapids along the Miles Canyon through to the White Horse Rapids.