Cassiar Highway 2016

[Blazing_Zippers]

For the returning visitors; How was the Cassiar Highway, did you come back that way, etc.
Any thoughts on using it with a fifth wheel trailer and a class C motorhome.
Planning for 2017..

[garyhaupt]

Blazing Zippers wrote:
We've rumbled around Canada, Lake Louise, Jasper, Radium, Kelowna, etc. but haven't driven to Alaska. When we're only 95 miles from the border, and having read where lots of folks travel from Florida or the east coast, I think it's time for me to man up and head out.
Can't wait!

It's okay to wait till May tho....wuss.


Gary Haupt

[Nodaker]

We came home via the Cassiar in early Sept and there was less 'bad' road than there was on the Alaska Highway.

[Blazing_Zippers]

We've rumbled around Canada, Lake Louise, Jasper, Radium, Kelowna, etc. but haven't driven to Alaska. When we're only 95 miles from the border, and having read where lots of folks travel from Florida or the east coast, I think it's time for me to man up and head out.
Can't wait!

[c_traveler2]

Blazing Zippers wrote:
For the returning visitors; How was the Cassiar Highway, did you come back that way, etc.
Any thoughts on using it with a fifth wheel trailer and a class C motorhome.
Planning for 2017..

We traveled through Canada, Alaska in the summer of 2015. On all the roads we used we saw all kind of Rvs and the roads varied from very good to potholes, ruff and take it slow..

Do go into Stewart and Hyder to see the Salmon Glacier, it paved to Fish Creek and after that its graded dirt road.Here's a few photos.

Bear Glacier, Steward,Canada.


Road out to Salmon Glacier, beyound Steward and Hyder.


Salmon Glacier


Is this your first time trip through Canada and Alaska?

[explorenorth]

CA Traveler wrote:
In 2013 ugly power lines were under construction along the Cassiar. I suppose all completed by now.

All finished, and yes, it certainly did change/destroy the wilderness character of much of the highway. Or I suppose you could say that it opened up more views...

[CA_Traveler]

In 2013 ugly power lines were under construction along the Cassiar. I suppose all completed by now.

[Powder_pig]

We too came down it this September and had no issues whatsoever. It is narrower than the AlCan in the northern sections and has no center line in those sections but is plenty wide for two vehicles. There was one short section of gravel with some washboard coming up a hill from a river crossing (maybe 1 or 2 km maximum) and a section of 30 km or so where the sealing process seemed not to be finished as there were a lot of fairly loose chips on it. We did not have rock damage to our new TV. The southern section is excellent as is the road in to Stewart.

I would not hesitate to use it again. There was very little traffic to be seen, but there isn't on the AlCan either. Take your time and enjoy the views!

[nevadanick]

We came back that way this year and it was one of the best roads we travelled the whole trip.

[Blazing_Zippers]

Thanks to you all. I can't wait to hit the road next year.
I've come to trust the folks on this forum for info.

[lizzie]

We drove north on the Cassier in early June in 2013. There was one significant "break" in it from a recent flood, but it was passable and wonderful. We came back on it in late August this year and it was still passable and just as wonderful. I really wouldn't mind driving it both ways. lizzie

[2gypsies1]

For a first-time visitor it would be great if you take the Alaskan Highway one way (most do it on the way up) and return via the Cassier (doing it in August gives you a chance to visit Hyder and the bears). You will get different scenery by doing both.

[explorenorth]

Though the Alaska Highway is sometimes more convenient (as it was for my Calgary-Whitehorse drive this week), I take the Stewart-Cassiar whenever possible. I plan to spend a couple of weeks exploring along it next year.

[GaryKH]

Who knows what the road will be like next spring? When you do drive up there, just drive to what the local conditions dictate. If you go too fast, you could do damage. Check with Drive BC just before you go & during your trip. It will let you know the current conditions.

Drive BC

[stickdog]

As most that travel those roads regularly will state they vary year to year and season to season. Our trip north in 15 was for the most part nothing like the stories so often reported. Sure there were flagged areas and some that should have been that weren't. The latter if your eyes are on the road and your traveling as posted don't present a problem as the tire marks on the road give there own warning so stay alert.

As I said went north in mid May and the roads were good but returning in mid August the gravel section from Beaver Creek south to just north of Destruction Bay was the worst washboard I've ever traveled.

We returned on the Cassiar which on the north end they were just finishing up with road work and then some active chip sealing south of the Stewart/Hyder cutoff.

All in all it was a good trip and we plan on going back in 18.