2015 Summer Journey
Canadian Crossing part 3
Hyder, AK
Salmon Glacier
June 22, 2015…Day 4 in Canada
We woke to a gorgeous morning at Bear River; Julie made a nice breakfast of eggs, hash browns and juice. As we ate, birds were flying around in this sleepy park, hardly a person was about.
Refreshed from showers and laundry done the night before we’re ready to travel on to Hyder and Salmon Glacier with filled bellies.
Turning on Davis Rd/Dyke Rd., which took us along Bear River and eventually into Stewart Harbor. Once there we saw a ton of floating logs and construction going on, there are in the process of building a new dock.
Getting back on track toward Hyder and to the other side of the bay, we made a stop along 5th ave. (37a) for a few photos.
Approaching Hyder there is a Canadian custom station that we would have to go through on the way back, but none to motor on into Hyder, AK.
The township of Hyder is one of old rustic structures mixed with some more modern building but nothing I would call new.
Making our way to Hyder Harbor, we weren’t prepared for the magnificent scenery of the surrounding mountains, holding Marmot Bay on two side as far as one could see.
Wharf Rd extended to just beyond the delta formed by both Bear River and Salmon River that has plenty of parking space.
Mt. Magee, Mt. Welke and Mt. McLeod looked down upon Stewart and Hyder, these mountains could be easily seen as we sat looking at the never ending fjord.
Leaving this tranquil place, we motored on into and through Hyder, seeing many buildings design to handle winter’s fury.
We would be stopping at Fish Creek bear viewing area in the Tongass NF (NF-88), it’s a beautiful place to stop at and spend a bit of time here. Unfortunate for us there were no bears to be seen only a calling card or two.
Traveling NF-88 is an easy, well maintain road during the summer with many mini waterfalls along the roadside. Shortly after Fish Creek Bear viewing area the road become gavel laden and there are many spur roads along our route lead to mining operations with many of them displaying keep out signs. Salmon Glacier is in Canada and there is a sign to let you know that you’re crossing back into Canada, NF-88 road changes its name to Granduc Rd.
We made a couple of more stops before arriving at Salmon Glacier overlook area. While getting near this picturesque signage of the “Bear Man” was popping up offering photos and DVD’s of the glacier and wildlife.
Like many people, we did stay a spell, photographing Salmon Glacier and the surrounding majestic beauty of the mountains.
There was talk about easy to see mining equipment down the road a few miles ahead and I wanted to get some different views of Salmon Glacier. Down the road a piece a side road intersected with Granduc Road. This road cut into the Cliffside heading towards the glacier below, but travel was short lived being block by large enough rocks to prevent any further travel.
From this angle, I was able to get much better photos of the kettle ponds below, from dirty brown to a sparkling blue in color.
From here I was able to see some equipment down another spur road and that where we headed. Easy enough to go down on the other spur road. A large gravel area nested alongside the Salmon River as we made our way to the long abandoned equipment.
Video: Stuck in Creek
A large patch of snow across the dirt road would have to be plowed through; well it didn’t turn out to be a dirt road under that patch of snow. The truck front tires broke through what felt like a solid road under it un-fortune it wasn’t. Taking in our situation, with a flow of creek water two more feet below the front tires it was decided to winch the truck forward and try to fill in the hole with what laid around.
Finding an anchor point was very difficult with the concrete hard soil, finding a six inch under the road drain about a hundred feet away from the truck and I was able to use some of the metal straps, sliding them into the drain and tying one of my tow straps to it.
Hooking the tow strap to the winch, it did the job of pulling the truck up and straddling the creek. We spend the next 3 hours filling in the hole with what material that was around. Hoping that everything would hold together while I backed the truck over our makeshift bridge. What was that “Get Smart” saying “Missed it by that much”
With fading light we were able to get the attention of the last vehicle on the road above, they agreed to be an anchor behind us. I know you’re not suppose to pull with the cable under the truck but it was worth a shot otherwise it means getting a tow truck out here.
Hooking up to their Suburban, it looked for a minute it was going to work then snap there when the cable. The good folks that came down to help lived in Steward and told they would call the tow company to come on out in the morning. Other than being a stuck out by the Salmon River it was a great place to boondock, so quiet you can hear the noise in your brain.
Morning came quickly and the tow truck did arrive in the morning around noontime, making short work of pulling us out. Once our camper was out, I was able to get some better photos of our hole in the snow.
I thank the tow truck driver for coming out all this way, about 25 mile one-way and only had to pay him 400 US dollars. Next when faced with snow across the road I’ll use a rod to see if there is really a road under.
Passing by the Bear Man once again, stopping for a moment and a few more photo shots later we are down the road once again. Passing through Hyder we stopped at a local eatery call Seafood Express for a meal.
An old school bus severed as the kitchen and what was on the menu is what the owner husband caught that morning. The meal of halibut was delicious, but it was time to get moving.
Back into Stewart, through customs again, fuel up and on to 37a east. Going past everything from the past couple of days, we’re headed for Telegraph Creek as one of our bucket list things.
We made it as far as Bell 2; this is where we planted ourselves for the night. Talking to some of the other campers there, they told me a young black bear has been coming into the campground every morning for a while. With a little luck, I’ll get some close up photos in the morning.
Thanks to everyone for reading my TCTRs, all comments are welcome and if you have any questions ask them here or PM me.
Link to Canadian Crossing part2
Working on part 4 of the Canadian Crossing, will post as soon as it’s done.
Thanks, c.traveler2 (Alex Blasingame).
Canadian Crossing part 3
Hyder, AK
Salmon Glacier
June 22, 2015…Day 4 in Canada
We woke to a gorgeous morning at Bear River; Julie made a nice breakfast of eggs, hash browns and juice. As we ate, birds were flying around in this sleepy park, hardly a person was about.
Refreshed from showers and laundry done the night before we’re ready to travel on to Hyder and Salmon Glacier with filled bellies.
Turning on Davis Rd/Dyke Rd., which took us along Bear River and eventually into Stewart Harbor. Once there we saw a ton of floating logs and construction going on, there are in the process of building a new dock.
Getting back on track toward Hyder and to the other side of the bay, we made a stop along 5th ave. (37a) for a few photos.
Approaching Hyder there is a Canadian custom station that we would have to go through on the way back, but none to motor on into Hyder, AK.
The township of Hyder is one of old rustic structures mixed with some more modern building but nothing I would call new.
Making our way to Hyder Harbor, we weren’t prepared for the magnificent scenery of the surrounding mountains, holding Marmot Bay on two side as far as one could see.
Wharf Rd extended to just beyond the delta formed by both Bear River and Salmon River that has plenty of parking space.
Mt. Magee, Mt. Welke and Mt. McLeod looked down upon Stewart and Hyder, these mountains could be easily seen as we sat looking at the never ending fjord.
Leaving this tranquil place, we motored on into and through Hyder, seeing many buildings design to handle winter’s fury.
We would be stopping at Fish Creek bear viewing area in the Tongass NF (NF-88), it’s a beautiful place to stop at and spend a bit of time here. Unfortunate for us there were no bears to be seen only a calling card or two.
Traveling NF-88 is an easy, well maintain road during the summer with many mini waterfalls along the roadside. Shortly after Fish Creek Bear viewing area the road become gavel laden and there are many spur roads along our route lead to mining operations with many of them displaying keep out signs. Salmon Glacier is in Canada and there is a sign to let you know that you’re crossing back into Canada, NF-88 road changes its name to Granduc Rd.
We made a couple of more stops before arriving at Salmon Glacier overlook area. While getting near this picturesque signage of the “Bear Man” was popping up offering photos and DVD’s of the glacier and wildlife.
Like many people, we did stay a spell, photographing Salmon Glacier and the surrounding majestic beauty of the mountains.
There was talk about easy to see mining equipment down the road a few miles ahead and I wanted to get some different views of Salmon Glacier. Down the road a piece a side road intersected with Granduc Road. This road cut into the Cliffside heading towards the glacier below, but travel was short lived being block by large enough rocks to prevent any further travel.
From this angle, I was able to get much better photos of the kettle ponds below, from dirty brown to a sparkling blue in color.
From here I was able to see some equipment down another spur road and that where we headed. Easy enough to go down on the other spur road. A large gravel area nested alongside the Salmon River as we made our way to the long abandoned equipment.
Video: Stuck in Creek
A large patch of snow across the dirt road would have to be plowed through; well it didn’t turn out to be a dirt road under that patch of snow. The truck front tires broke through what felt like a solid road under it un-fortune it wasn’t. Taking in our situation, with a flow of creek water two more feet below the front tires it was decided to winch the truck forward and try to fill in the hole with what laid around.
Finding an anchor point was very difficult with the concrete hard soil, finding a six inch under the road drain about a hundred feet away from the truck and I was able to use some of the metal straps, sliding them into the drain and tying one of my tow straps to it.
Hooking the tow strap to the winch, it did the job of pulling the truck up and straddling the creek. We spend the next 3 hours filling in the hole with what material that was around. Hoping that everything would hold together while I backed the truck over our makeshift bridge. What was that “Get Smart” saying “Missed it by that much”
With fading light we were able to get the attention of the last vehicle on the road above, they agreed to be an anchor behind us. I know you’re not suppose to pull with the cable under the truck but it was worth a shot otherwise it means getting a tow truck out here.
Hooking up to their Suburban, it looked for a minute it was going to work then snap there when the cable. The good folks that came down to help lived in Steward and told they would call the tow company to come on out in the morning. Other than being a stuck out by the Salmon River it was a great place to boondock, so quiet you can hear the noise in your brain.
Morning came quickly and the tow truck did arrive in the morning around noontime, making short work of pulling us out. Once our camper was out, I was able to get some better photos of our hole in the snow.
I thank the tow truck driver for coming out all this way, about 25 mile one-way and only had to pay him 400 US dollars. Next when faced with snow across the road I’ll use a rod to see if there is really a road under.
Passing by the Bear Man once again, stopping for a moment and a few more photo shots later we are down the road once again. Passing through Hyder we stopped at a local eatery call Seafood Express for a meal.
An old school bus severed as the kitchen and what was on the menu is what the owner husband caught that morning. The meal of halibut was delicious, but it was time to get moving.
Back into Stewart, through customs again, fuel up and on to 37a east. Going past everything from the past couple of days, we’re headed for Telegraph Creek as one of our bucket list things.
We made it as far as Bell 2; this is where we planted ourselves for the night. Talking to some of the other campers there, they told me a young black bear has been coming into the campground every morning for a while. With a little luck, I’ll get some close up photos in the morning.
Thanks to everyone for reading my TCTRs, all comments are welcome and if you have any questions ask them here or PM me.
Link to Canadian Crossing part2
Working on part 4 of the Canadian Crossing, will post as soon as it’s done.
Thanks, c.traveler2 (Alex Blasingame).
