Cassiar

[nevadanick]

Its one of the best highways we have been on the whole trip. Its not that narrow, condition is great so far.

[Paoli]

There's nothing wrong with the Cassiar Highway.

[MacZulu]

well hopefully we get some good nights as well. we have an open itinerary, but plan on a couple nights at Hi County at the top of the south access, and a friends place out near Lake Lebarge.

[explorenorth]

MacZulu wrote:
Last time we went north in September we saw northern lights a few times, so I'll have the camera gear out for sure.

We've been having great aurora shows for 3 weeks already - got off to a very early start, and some are saying that last night was among the best they've ever seen (we had clouds in Whitehorse).

[MacZulu]

We should be up there in a week or so,was thinking of Meziadin Lake one night, then Boya the next. We're really looking forward to Stuart-Cassier, one of favorite stretches going to Whitehorse from Vancouver. We were always in a car (and without our son) before, so this will be the firt rv trip up. I am taking along a 15 gal gas caddy on the back in case we are still up there when the season shuts down some gas stops. Last time we went north in September we saw northern lights a few times, so I'll have the camera gear out for sure.

[Veebyes]

Done it 3 times since 2008. Each time the road was in better shape than the time before. One of the greatest myths about driving the North is that the roads are so bad. Sure there are heaves, usually well marked, & there is construction, there is only a short season for repairs, but as long as you drive at a speed to suit the road, not an ambitious schedule, people are fine.

[nevadanick]

Drove the whole length. The stories about being narrow and rough are just that, stories. There are a few holes in 37A going to Stewart and some construction on 37 but i still say its one of the best roads we have travelled. Currently in Smithers and going to PG today. Then south to see relatives in Mission and Chilliwack. Wife has never been to Hells Gate so will stop there and also the Great Hope Slide. The worse road going up and back was north of Destruction Bay but still not that bad.

[Yeti_plus]

Drove it from Alaska Highway to Stewart and back up a couple weeks ago.
Construction in a few places, a couple long ones, some frost heaves, all in all not too bad. There was a wildfire burning west of Watson Lake, south of the Alaska HWY, haven't heard any more about it getting bigger. Could smell smoke in Watson Lake when we were there after lunch.
Boya lake P.P. is as mentioned very nice. No hookups and limited water supply, but we are self contained.Just be prepared and fill and dump before you get there.

[nickdarr]

We drove 37 in mid-July and had no problems. Couple places with sone heaves, but those were marked. The road from Whitehorse to AK had construction for miles.

[mockturtle]

I took the whole Cassiar last summer and it was fine.

[crosscheck]

daveB110 wrote:
Ancient history yields some strange quirks. In 1983 going north we followed a logging machine dragging a log right in front of us, on the "detour." The mud was everywhere.

Drove an AustinCambridge from Smithers to Stewart in 1972. Pretty crazy muddy conditions near Meziadine Lake. Picked up a young Quebec kid who had a brother hard rock mining at Grande Duke. Partied for about a week in Stewart with his brother and friends.

# 37 from Kitwanga to the Alcan has been "civilized "over the years. It is not the adventure it once was although it still has much better scenery than the Alcan.

Dave

[daveB110]

Ancient history yields some strange quirks. In 1983 going north we followed a logging machine dragging a log right in front of us, on the "detour." The mud was everywhere.

[rag-ftw]

nevadanick wrote:
I drove it about 5 weeks ago with no problem. All rough sections are clearly marked so if you take notice of these and adjust your speed accordingly you will not have a problem.

I recall the road getting rougher the farther North we went in 2014. Is this still the case?

[happycamper1942]

explorenorth wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
Its one of the best highways we have been on the whole trip. Its not that narrow, condition is great so far.

You clearly haven't been to Gnat Pass south of Dease Lake yet 🙂

I drove it about 5 weeks ago with no problem. All rough sections are clearly marked so if you take notice of these and adjust your speed accordingly you will not have a problem.

[GordonThree]

explorenorth wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
Its one of the best highways we have been on the whole trip. Its not that narrow, condition is great so far.

You clearly haven't been to Gnat Pass south of Dease Lake yet 🙂

Is that section still really rough? I was heading North and I remember the combination of frost heaves and dips in the road made me sea sick. Pulled into Boya Lake to rest for a few hours.

It was a fortuitous stop however. The lake was still frozen but only just, a thin mostly transparent layer of ice remained on the water, with the brilliant "rock flour" blue shining through it, like there were pool lights on in the lake.