Accomodations on the Cassiar

[charleshickman]

On 6/9 I'm leaving Alabama for a ride to Alaska. Any recommendations for accomodations on the Cassiar highway?

We're planning a ride up the Dalton starting on 6/22 if anyone would care to join us. (two riders)

[pmdave]

Advice given to me about the Cassiar at a rest area near Seward: If the weather is good, do not miss the Cassiar. If the weather is bad, definitely do not attempt the Cassiar. The reason is the Calcium Choride they use on the dirt to keep the dust down. When wet it turns to slippery lubricant, and then turns to concrete on your bike. In general the road is good, and the "gravel" sections are mostly well packed dirt that's a lot like pavement when dry. The northern end of the Cassiar has the underbrush cut back well away from the road so you can see the animals coming and get your speed under control.

I suggest you take the side trip to Stewart BC/Hyder AK. It's not far off the Cassiar, and if the weather is good there are excellent views of some spectacular ice fields on the way in/out. There are hotels/inns/restaurants at Stewart and Hyder. There is also a nice B&B at the east end of Stewart (near the fire station)run by a woman who must have grown up in Germany. You will NOT go hungry.

If you stay overnight in Stewart, you can do the entire Cassiar the next day, and have time to stop here and there. You will find lodging again when you hit the Alcan just west of Upper Laird. As you get farther north, the days are much longer, so you can be riding in daylight at 11p or 3a.

There are tourist facilities at Bell II--a hotel/restaurant complex with a gas station. BTW, it's a long way between gas stops on the Cassiar. There is gas at the south end at Hwy 16, at Meziadin Junction, Bell II, and Dease Lake. In general, don't pass up a gas station without topping off your tank.

If you stop at Dease Lake (restaurant, gas etc.) watch for local construction workers, and if you're out of sight of your bike, check your tires for propped nails before rolling away. (seems to be a local prank to spike bike tires)

There are roadhouses along the Alcan at decent intervals in Northwest Territories, so you can find grub/bunk/gas.

I know some folks camp everywhere, but I would avoid camping on the Cassiar in June. The mosquitoes are thick, thirsty, and thorough. Every morning, slather your face, neck, and hands with heavy-duty bug repellant and sunscreen.

Anywhere in BC, NW Territories, Yukon, or Alaska, I carry water and some food. You should expect occasional delays for weather, construction, or road damage. Although the Alcan is supposed to be "paved," in fact it is always under construction, and you will find some sections of 5 - 10 miles of construction with "Alaska pea gravel" surface. (loose rocks the size of small apples)

June is about the first opportunity to do road work, so watch for "frost heaves" that havn't been repaired. The pavement buckles up into a mound a foot or more high, which can be a big shock if you don't realize what you're seeing.

Sounds like a great ride.

pmdave

[swall]

I stayed at Bell II in 2003. Great place and reasonably price (about $110 CD if I recall). Was southbound and had ridden from Swift River, so it was at about the right distance to stop. In Dease Lake, there is a government office where you can change money if you need to.