Cassier Hwy in mid-September
For all you Alaska/Canada travelling pros, would you have any advice for us traveling the Cassier Hwy around September 20th? I know its getting late in the fall so I was wondering about services such ...
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You shouldn't find a great deal of change on the Cassiar in mid September with fuel. Most of the Cassiar stations are operated for the locals and as a side with the tourists. The only two stations I can think of that might be closed would be Tatogga Lodge and Good Hope Lake, but either or both may still be pumping at that time. Some of the stations remain open on both the Cassiar and Alaska Hwy till their fuel tanks are empty as they don't want fuel in them over the winter while they are closed. But as more and more travelers, fill up in the larger communities, those stations remain open all year or at least one or more will be open.
You should be able to fill up at Juncton 37 where the Cassiar takes off of the Alaska Hwy, 13 miles before you get to Watson Lake, then Dease Lake, Stewart, Iskut Village store (owned by the local First Nation group), Bell II which has a busy heli ski season in the winter so is open.
There are not many commercial campgrounds on the Cassiar but those may/probably will be closed by mid to late September. But even if the provincial campgrounds are closed, will they be gated off or not, I don't know. May just mean all services are discontinued, i.e. hosts, firewood sales, trash collection, etc. I like to make about a 3 day trip out of the Cassiar, usually using one of the 3 "lake" provincial parks each night. Those three are some of the most beautiful campgrounds that exists in North America, IMHO. Hopefully you will still be able to use them. You may have to boondock along the way but lots of good spots. One of the Dease Lake service clubs has a nice campground just south of town along side a stream. Summer time they charge about $10cnd a night so it may still be useable also.
The bears will still be there as it is their home. They hang out at the viewing platform due to fish running in the creek, no fish, few bears to be seen. It is almost like the bears work on contracts that are tied to the salmon runs. Not sure if that creek has a late September fish run or not. In Alaska, you will find some streams have a late run of silvers, steelhead trout and the accompanying dolly varden.
One nice thing about the north country is there is always some place to park for the night. In my half century of driving back and forth to/from Alaska, I don't ever remember having to drive all night because I couldn't find a place to park. LOL
You should be able to fill up at Juncton 37 where the Cassiar takes off of the Alaska Hwy, 13 miles before you get to Watson Lake, then Dease Lake, Stewart, Iskut Village store (owned by the local First Nation group), Bell II which has a busy heli ski season in the winter so is open.
There are not many commercial campgrounds on the Cassiar but those may/probably will be closed by mid to late September. But even if the provincial campgrounds are closed, will they be gated off or not, I don't know. May just mean all services are discontinued, i.e. hosts, firewood sales, trash collection, etc. I like to make about a 3 day trip out of the Cassiar, usually using one of the 3 "lake" provincial parks each night. Those three are some of the most beautiful campgrounds that exists in North America, IMHO. Hopefully you will still be able to use them. You may have to boondock along the way but lots of good spots. One of the Dease Lake service clubs has a nice campground just south of town along side a stream. Summer time they charge about $10cnd a night so it may still be useable also.
The bears will still be there as it is their home. They hang out at the viewing platform due to fish running in the creek, no fish, few bears to be seen. It is almost like the bears work on contracts that are tied to the salmon runs. Not sure if that creek has a late September fish run or not. In Alaska, you will find some streams have a late run of silvers, steelhead trout and the accompanying dolly varden.
One nice thing about the north country is there is always some place to park for the night. In my half century of driving back and forth to/from Alaska, I don't ever remember having to drive all night because I couldn't find a place to park. LOL
