cycling the cassair highway

[robo]

Has anyone cycled the Cassiar Highway in Northern British Columbia?  I'm planning to head to the Alcan from Prince George in July, and the Cassiar looks like the more direct, more remote, and more adverturesome route.

[windrath]

Robo -

In June 2005, a group of us rode from fairbanks to Vancouver and took the Cassiar - at my suggestion because I was intrigued by the nickname "Bear Alley."  Go to www.redwingaquatics.com for the daily mileage, overnight accommodations, pictures, etc..

It is definitely more remote, but there is only one stretch where you have to go 100 miles between overnights stops.  Extremely picturesque.  There are plenty of interesting sites and experiences.  

In July, you will have tons of traffic on the Yellowhead highway with cars and logging trucks.  Once you turn onto the Cassiar, you will have some logging trucks, some commercial trucks, and a fair number of RVs.  There is very little flat road for you to travel - they did not spend money to flatten the road and it follows the terrain more than anything else.

There are a couple of sections that are very steep for 5-6 miles and you think you are gonna die.  You will also encounter 50-75 miles of unpaved road as well as deep gravel in some spots.  All passable - just slows you down.

By July, I don't think you will have to worry about bears.  And, depending on the rain, you will have your share of misquitoes to deal with.  I found that 100% deet worked ok.

Read the blogs I mentioned above and write back if you have any questions.  Also, get a copy of The Milepost (library or on-line).  It details just about every mile of the trip you are taking.  Only problem is there were some campsites they said were open and were not.

Good Luck

[robo]

Thanks, Windrath,

That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

I enjoyed your trip report very much, and can't wait to get into that country.

We're already looking forward to hanging with those skeeters.

Joan

[windrath]

Joan -

Glad I could be of assistance.  Once you get to Watson lake, are you going to follow the Alcan to Faribanks?

Good Luck - wish I was going again.  If you need any more info, one of our riders is from Prince George and still lives there.  I can put you in touch with him if you wish?

Paul

[robo]

Paul-

We'll be leaving Tabernash, Colorado, on June 8.  The plan is to follow the Great Parks route as far as Jasper, and on through Prince George.  We'll head to and up the Cassiar, take the Alcan to Jake's Corner or Whitehorse, then drop down to Skagway.  I wish we had time to go on to Fairbanks, but we think the Alaska ferry to Bellingham will be a great way to finish off the journey.  

I cycled the Yellowhead in '87, and remember both the trucks and the beauty.  I doubt it's gotten much quieter.

I have the Milepost for this year.  Only problem is it makes me want to go lots more places.

I would like to correspond a bit with your friend in Prince George.

Thanks again,  

Joan

[windrath]

Hi Joan -

I will get in touch with my friend - make sure he is still using the same e-mail and phone numbers.

The ferry from Skagway back down to Bellingham is a nice ride.  If you can spare the time, there are a few islands to stop over at (i.e. Sitka).  You will ahve your choice of camping on the deck or getting a sleepng room.  I liked camping out on the deck and in the general tourist areas.

I will be back in touch.

Paul