The next day of our journey was a 3-day drive to Hyder, Alaska, under clear skies. After a long delay at the Canadian border, we finally hit the road, traveling through spectacular scenery on our way to our first stop in Whitehorse, Yukon. The following morning, we left for Nugget City, YT, and the start of the scenic Cassiar Highway.
The Cassiar Highway is a remote and rugged road that runs through the northern part of British Columbia. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and the opportunity to see wildlife such as bears and moose.
We stayed at the Pioneer RV campground, spending the afternoon relaxing with Snorre, Gail, and Tim from Texas around a campfire, drinking and eating. The next day, we got an early start on the Cassiar Highway, and the scenic beauty did not disappoint. We drove as far as Dease Lake, BC, a small community located on the shores of Dease Lake. The area has a rich history of gold mining and is a popular spot for fishing and hunting.
On the way, we stopped at Jade City, a small town known for its jade mines. We were able to see the stone finishing operation and purchase some jade souvenirs. Jade City is also featured on the TV show “Jade Hunters,” which showcases the town’s jade mining industry.
Overall, the Cassiar Highway provided us with breathtaking views and a chance to explore the unique mining town of Jade City. It was an adventure of a lifetime, and we look forward to our next trip to this beautiful region.
From Dease Lake, we continued on to Hyder, passing through Stewart, BC. Stewart is a small town with a rich history of mining and is known for its stunning natural beauty. The weather was poor during our drive, but the road was in good condition with a few wildlife sightings along the way.
As we got close to Stewart, we passed the spectacular Bear Glacier. Bear Glacier is one of the largest glaciers in British Columbia and is a popular spot for hiking and viewing wildlife. The glacier is a beautiful blue color and is surrounded by towering mountains, making it a truly breathtaking sight.
After passing Bear Glacier, we crossed the US/Canadian border and entered Hyder, Alaska. We arrived at the Run-A-Muck RV Park in time for a group potluck dinner. Click on thumbnail to view image
Cassiar Highway
Around Hyder Alaska and Stewart BC
Our first morning in Hyder started early, as we got up at 6am and drove to the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site. Our goal for the day was to see bears feeding on fish during the salmon run.
The Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site is located near the town of Hyder, Alaska and is a popular spot for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. The site offers an up-close and personal view of the bears as they come to the creek to feed on the spawning salmon.
The Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site has a long history of bear viewing, it has been a staple of the Bear viewing Experience in Alaska for over 50 years. The site is managed by the US Forest Service and is considered one of the best places in the world to observe bears in the wild. The bears here are not habituated to humans and their natural behavior is not disrupted.
We were lucky enough to see a couple of bears in the river during our visit even though the salmon run was just starting. We watched as they waded in the water looking for fish. It was an incredible experience to see these powerful and majestic animals in their natural habitat.
After our bear viewing experience at Fish Creek, we decided to head down to the river mouth to see if we could spot any eagles. We were not disappointed as we were rewarded with a lot of eagles in the trees and in flight. The morning mist added to the ambiance and made for some great photographs.
After spending some time at the river mouth, we decided to head into the nearby town of Stewart to visit the local museum. The museum was very informative and did a great job of explaining the history of the area.
Stewart and Hyder, Alaska are located in the southeast corner of the state and have a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. The area was first settled by prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush and later became a center for mining and logging.
The towns also have a strong First Nations presence, with the Tlingit people having lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. The museum provided a lot of insight into the history and culture of the area, including the way of life, their art and customs, and their relationship with the land and the animals. Click on thumbnail to view image
Salmon Glacier
The next day, we set out on an adventure to see the Salmon Glacier, one of the most impressive natural sights in the area. The glacier is located about 30 miles north of Hyder, and the only way to reach it is by driving up an old gravel road. It is the largest glacier in the world accessible by road.
The drive to the glacier was an experience in itself, as we wound our way through dense forest and steep mountains. The road was rough and bumpy, but the scenery was breathtaking. As we neared the glacier, we could see the towering peaks of the Coast Mountains in the distance.
When we finally reached the viewing lookout, the Salmon Glacier was an awe-inspiring sight. The glacier is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world, stretching for over five miles and rising to a height of over 4,000 feet. From the platform, we could see the glacier’s deep blue crevasses, sparkling ice formations, and the bright white snowfields on the peaks.
We spent some time taking in the views and taking photos before heading back. The Salmon glacier is a massive glacier system and it’s one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area for its spectacular views, remote location, and the unique opportunity to see an advancing glacier and we were glad we made the drive. Time to get “HYDERIZED”! Click on thumbnail to view image
Hyderization!
One of the must-do activities while visiting Hyder is to get “Hyderized” at the Glacier Inn.The tradition of getting “Hyderized” at the Glacier Inn involves trying the local specialty drink, which is a mixture of various spirits, including Everclear. The drink is known for its potent kick and is not for the faint of heart. The tradition of getting “Hyderized” is not well-documented, and the exact origins of the tradition are not known. It is likely that the tradition has been around for several decades,
Patty, Gail, Snorre, and I decided to take the plunge and try the drink during our final night in Hyder. And let me tell you, it was strong! We all felt the effects immediately and went back to our campground to end our trip in Hyder on a high note.
Overall, getting “Hyderized” at the Glacier Inn is a unique and memorable experience, but it’s definitely not for everyone. If you’re a fan of strong drinks and are looking for something different to do in Hyder, then this tradition is definitely worth trying. Click on thumbnail to view image
