bikemanb
On the Road
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We are currently in Whitehorse for a couple of days and then heading South and are considering taking the Cassiar to Stewart/Hyder but understand there are several long stretches of construction. According to the weather forecasts for the region it is going to rain a lot on the northern half of the route today and Tuesday.
My question to those of you that have taken that route this year, if it was extremely wet would you travel that route again?
Thanks
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zigzagrv
Nazareth, PA
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I traveled the Cassiar the end of June. The beginning had about a 15 mile stretch that was being completely redone and was a bit rough. The part that bothered me the most was the road was narrow with steep dropoff on both sides thru the construction. It would probably be pretty messy when wet. The further south you go, the better the road gets. Past the turnoff to Stewart/Hyder it is excellent road the rest of the way.
I would do it, but just take it slow and easy thru the construction areas. It's a very scenic drive, especially the turnoff to Stewart (37a, I think). Good luck
Ron
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explorenorth
Whitehorse, Yukon
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I drive the Stewart-Cassiar a fair bit but with the very heavy rain we've got happening now I'd use the Alaska Highway unless there was a compelling reason to go to Stewart (the bear viewing might do it  ).
Murray
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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We traveled TO Alaska on the Alaska Highway and HOME on the Cassier. Other than the first 5 miles or so, the Cassier is by FAR the better highway (assesed on the basis of road condition only). It IS a bit more isolated than the Alaska with fuel stops further apart and a narrower highway in the northern part and a BETTER highway in the southern part. The Alternate route to Stewart has some construction on the first couple of miles that caused us about 10 minutes delay waiting on the pilot car, in both directions and the rest of the 50 KM or so was wide open and in good condition. It was raining moderately the entire day we took the drive so it COULD be slightly dustier in dry weather through the couple of miles of gravel but either way it was a non issue.
Good luck / Skip
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Having had done both routes in all kind of weather, I'd be comfy doing the Cassiar in the extreme wet.
However, that dirt stretch just north of Dease Lake ... do your best to get that mud off your RV soonest. It tends to leave a yellowish tinge if it's left on too long; the sooner it comes off the better.
sue t.
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kedanie
Albuquerque, NM
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So, I hate to sound dumb, but what is the Cassiar? We are planning on heading up in late spring 2011.
thanks,
Keith
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joe b.
Florida
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The Cassiar is another name for Hwy 37 which runs from Kitimat to Junction 37 about 13 miles north of Watson Lake to intersect the Alaska Highway. It is named after the Cassiar mining district of the northern part of the highway. Parts of it have been in place for many years, but it was only in about 1972 that the different parts were connected to make one complete highway. The Canadian government has been working to get it paved in total in the recent years but still some gravel, less than 25 miles now days. A major construction project is taking place on the northern 30/40 miles of the highway. There is a side road off of Hwy 37 known as Hwy 37A which runs from Meziadin Junction to the towns of Stewart, BC and Hyder, Alaska.
The Cassiar is a more remote highway but is being used more and more by people going to or returning from Alaska. We just got off of it a couple of weeks back and love the drive. Much more scenic than the Alaska Highway in my opinion, but a slower drive due to the curves and the ups and downs.
Most travelers tend to use it on the way back home. The AK highway on the north bound trip and then the Cassiar on the way back. Bears can be viewed at Hyder in the summer once the salmon runs start on Fish Creek.
Go up above a couple of posts to sue t.'s post and at the bottom of it click on her web site, Rv Adventures in the Yukon. She has one of the finest web sites for the northern routes in Canada and Alaska. Should be some Cassiar photos on her site.
* This post was
edited 08/10/09 03:44pm by joe b. *
joe b.
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hokeypokey
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All has been said but I'll add my 2 cents. We drove it going south at the end of July. It gets better as you go south but keep your gas tank topped off & have your food along. We did eat at Tatogga Lodge - Very good food but allow time becuz service was extra slow. Dry camping at Bell 2 was $21.50. Nice place. Go to Stewart-Hyder. The pilot car keeps everyone slowed down so you won't lose a windshield. After about 6 or 7 miles we were on our own. Beautiful drive. We saw black & Grizzly bears at the Bear Walk in Hyder and I have some amazing photos & I'm not much of a photographer. Stop in Stewart's Visitor Center & watch the DVD they have running - features their local bears.
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2chiefsRus
USA Somewhere
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We just arrived in Hyder today (Aug 10th). Made the drive down from the Alaska Highway in two days. Stopped at Mountain Shadow last night in Iskut which was very nice.
As mentioned the northern portion is the worst but after the first 40 miles or so it is still narrow but we found the overall quality of the road better than the Alcan. As for the road into Stewart/Hyder, the only road construction left on it was one small bridge - all the rest must be newly paved. It certainly looked like it was to us.
Dave & Kathy
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catkins
Western Washington
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We are also currently in Stewart. Road is as described and overall not too bad. Bears are VERY sparse right now the ranger at the viewing tell us. Last night there was one balck and later one Grizzly for the entire day. One Grizzly before we got there at 7AM and nothing until we left about 10AM today . So, if you are coming to see lots of bears, it does not seem to be happening right now.
Now, I am not in charge of the bear shcedule so could change but the rangers say it has been very slow so far. Being ever optimistic, we will try again tonight and then have to move down the road. This area is beautiful and we have seen eagles and weatched a beaver at the viewing site this AM. Enjoy
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