Rain, Sun, a Milestone, and Alaska!
It started raining last night as I went to bed and it rained all night. It rained as I was packing up and it rained all morning. Here’s my wet, dirty bike waiting for me as I had some coffee and dried out a bit.
My rain gear kept me dry, except for the waterproof gloves, which aren’t. The heated jacket kept me warm; I could not have ridden without it.
Just after I took the picture, the road rose into the clouds. After descending out of the fog, the road started drying out. By 11:30 a.m. the sun had come out. It was sunny and warm all afternoon.
When I’m not dealing with the rain, I can observe what I’m riding through and enjoy it. This waterfall popped up out of nowhere.
Shortly after noon I turned onto BC-37, the Cassiar Highway. It heads north through a tall pine forest and along a range of huge mountains. The slopes are green to the tree line. The jagged peaks are covered with snow patches.
Along the way my bike passed a milestone. Here are pictures of the odometer that declared the event.
I got gas at Meziadin Junction, then headed west on BC-37a toward Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK.
This is a typical view of these mountains.
Stewart, BC is at the head of the Portland Canal and Hyder, AK is on the west bank of the canal, opposite Stewart. I wanted to be sure I at least dipped a toe in Alaska, so I rode the 40 miles there from the junction. I didn’t realize I was going to ride into this great mountain range. Along the way I met my first glacier.
Some of you may remember the children’s TV show from the 50’s, Kukla, Fran, and Ollie. I think this glacier looks like Ollie. (KFO aired from 1947 to 1957 from Chicago.)
Here is the port at Stewart.
And this is Hyder.
On my way back to the junction the sky over the mountains darkened and rain started falling, so I checked into a bunk room. I didn’t want to deal with setting up camp in the rain again.
Tomorrow I’ll press on to the north.
Congrats on making it to Alaska!
Thanks.
Beautiful country!! Great pics!
Thank you.
I’m amazed that you are riding alone all this time. What beautiful scenery along the way. Be safe!
Will do. Thanks.
Congrats on making it to Alaska! When you get to Haines junction on the Alcan you’ll have a choice of going left or right. Left takes you to Haines, while right will lead you to Tok. I went left on my way up, and enjoyed the ride over the mountain range and down into Haines. I stayed at the Oceanside RV Park, which is on the other side of the restaurant/bar on the left when you’re looking at the harbor. $15 a night and the view is astounding. The restaurant next door has the best halibut I had in AK; simply amazing. Another great small fishing village is Seward, below Anchorage. The ride to Seward is mind blowing, from Anchorage on down. Parks Hwy, Richardson Highway, and Glenn Highway are the other amazing roads. If you do Denali Highway (gravel), be sure to ride from Paxson to Cantwell, so you’re facing toward Denali as you ride.
Thanks for the tips. After seeing your reports I added them to my itinerary.
Nice job Tim! BE SAFE
Looks like scattered storms on your ride up the Cassiar today, then sunny on your ride tomorrow.Weather for Haines on Sunday is forecast for 84 and sunny, with 0% chance of rain. Weather for Tok on Sunday is 73, partly cloudy, 0% chance of rain. It’s dry toward Haines now through Tuesday. Some chance of rain toward Tok on Saturday (30%), then sunny on Sun/Mon. Anchorage is dry through Thursday of next week. Fairbanks will be mostly rainy through next week, with the exception of Wednesday. Looks like your best chance at viewing Denali will be Sunday. You should have some nice riding days coming up!
I hope your ride is safe and the wait for pilot vehicles is minimal! Don’t forget – ride to the front of the line, so you don’t choke on the gravel dust!!
Enjoy it all Tim! Then remember Terlinqua again next year!
Thanks, Will do.