Players start out in Seattle and must make decisions concerning supplies, a partner, and travel plans as they head to Alaska before boating down a river to Dawson City and staking a claim to mine for gold.

[1] The game features the famous author Jack London[2] and authentic 19th-century photographs that show what life was like back then.

The initial choice players make on the trail, which can be subsequently changed, is the load personally carried.

A smaller load results in the ground moved each day to become shorter (as some of the supplies have to be left behind and then returned for).

Moreover, the trail becomes much more difficult to travel when encroaching upon the winter months, but a larger load will result in a higher probability of the player or partner being injured.

Along the trail, numerous random events may occur, including someone being injured (the player decides to continue at a slower pace or to rest), theft of food, rockslides, crowds of people or abandoned animals, and sudden inclement weather.

Depending on the date of their arrival at Lake Bennett, Sam Steele will let them depart right away, or have them wait two or four days before departure.

The player and partner will eventually reach Dawson City, where they are presented with a map of mining claims they can stake.

The player's score is determined by the amount of money they have (from the entire journey, including gold).