Driving up the Cassiar in the winter. (Hyder: 2013, shop)

[stiffnecked]

Don't do it! 3.5 kilometers north of Iskut is a placed called the "S" curves. The tow truck operator in Iskut is really helpful. If it's too cold and dark and your nice about everything they'll even offer to put you up in one of the cabins out behind there shop building. His wife is really hospitable and will offer to cook you anything they have on hand. They also offer a discount for cash payment too.You know it's bad when the tow truck driver almost slides off in same spot as you and everybody else. Just sayin'.....

Grass Creek Ventures

Highway 37, Iskut, BC V0J 1K0 250-234-3434

[stiffnecked]

Headed north from the Meziadin Junction.

[AKStafford]

I've done the trip 5 times, all in the winter. Three times in a Subaru Justy, once in a mini bus and once with a uHaul truck pulling a trailer.

The first two times I took the Cassiar, the last three we did the traditional Alcan. In my opinion, I think I would recommend NOT taking the Cassair. The only exception would be if you got to Prince George and maybe heard about a specific weather event that was going to be hitting highway 97.

Why would I suggest not going the Cassiar? Mainly the lack of services. My first trip up we (my father & me) were pushing hard and driving around the clock, switching out drivers. At one point we forgot who was suppose to be driving and who was suppose sleeping and wound up off the road. Fortunately a log truck going by pulled us out or we would have been there a long time.

The other time we pulled into Dease Lake 20 minutes after the last gas station was closed. We didn't have enough gas to go any further, so we spent the night in the car. We woke up and noticed a tire had gone flat over night, so we were pretty happy we were in Dease Lake and not along the road somewhere... The repair place in town couldn't track down their mechanic, but luckily my driving partner was also a mechanic. They let us use their shop to do the tire repair and we were on our way.

These trips were about 18 years ago, so maybe there is more services now... But it's a long stretch of lonely road... And even though it's a little shorter, I think you make better time going the other way.

[stiffnecked]

There are really only 3 places to get gas. The Bell II lodge, Iskut and Dease Lake. I guess if you got to the Mezidain Junction and were really low you could go west to Stewart. This was only my second trip down it in the winter. Probably be my last one too. I'll still take it in summer and early fall as I like the scenery better.

Ditto on getting into Dease Lake too late to get gas. I had that happen a couple of years ago. Not really much you can do except spend the night.

[tidelines]

I'm heading down again tomorrow; avoiding Cassiar in winter is SOP for me. In 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's it was just as treacherous.

[Dakster]

What about almost 20's year later in the year 2013? Has the winter Cassiar route gotten any better?

[stiffnecked]

The road is much better then it was 20's years ago. Except for about a 2 mile stretch the entire thing is paved. I'll continue to take it over the Alcan all other times of the year. It's just more twisty and hilly then the Alcan. Plus fewer services and less traffic. But the scenery makes up for what you lose in speed.

[Dakster]

Ok. Thanks. So you wouldn't recommend I take it pulling a 30' trailer behind my 24' pickup during the summer?

[stiffnecked]

I'd take a trailer up in the summer. No problem. Depending on when you came I'd plan a side trip to Stewart/Hyder and go to the bear watching platform. It's a gnarly ride but a trip out to the glacier at the end of the Hyder road is well worth it too.

[Dakster]

I'll do the gnarly rides when not pulling a trailer....

I'll have more than a trip to take for sure.