Cassiar Highway conditions

A reminder to all - do not forget a "Roll call 2014 Alaska" sign with your name somewhere on your rig. Hope to meet and greet ya all.
Thanks Janet.
It will be interesting to see how many we do see.

We drove it in August 2013. You can go to the trip log at the website in my signature for the road conditions at that time.

Scroll down to "2013 Trip Log-Alaska" then select "Canada, Return" and a scroll down to "08-21-2013". That is where we enter the Cassiar.

Just watch that strip north of Dease Lake, the one that used to be gravel but is now paved. Well, some pavement and lots of potholes in the spring.

When we went north in early June 2012 the potholes were sometimes mini-craters. DH was driving his vintage mustang and bottomed out numerous times. I sat higher in the pickup truck towing our moving trailer so had more warning of the dips, but hit some regardless. It was a 20mph section, for sure.

When it was gravel, at least they could grade it smooth. Same with the Destruction Bay to Beaver Creek section on the Alaska Highway in Yukon ... better when it could be graded and repacked, rather than all the frost heaves and dips it has now.

Been on the Cassiar twice southbound & both times late June/early July. This year will be northbound later in May. There are no high milage days planned so if there are delays that only means that there is more time to enjoy the scenery.

We'd love to stay longer but we only have limited amount of time. The last trip as an entire family together and the kids have a specific time they can be gone and I have to get back to work!

I've heard of the same difficulties with the potholes and such. We will probably go up the Alcan and back down the Cassiar.

My wife and I will be back when we can stay A LOT longer!

Thanks Sue!

In spring, the Alaska Highway usually is the more reliable route.

Spring conditions can be variable on the Cassiar, including closures due to flooding. Later in the summer, the Cassiar is in better shape as the road work gets complete.

Biggest problem in the spring are the potholes. The freeze/thaw cycle is hard on the asphalt then the traffic breaks it up, creating potholes, some huge holes now and then. The Cassiar north of Dease Lake is subject to these potholes, making it a slow go through some spots in the spring. Roads crews get out once or twice a month to fill the potholes but you have to keep your eyes open until then.

You're not staying in Alaska for the longest day/shortest night of the year (June 21)? Always a fun experience with many communities having celebrations. Dawson City, Yukon has a good party to celebrate, likely to be an even better one this year with it falling on a Saturday. :B