Alaska - Week 1

June 26, 2022

We are back on the road! But by we, I mean Margo 🐶 and I (Victor) because Kuan is still in the desert on her month-long adventure in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area in Utah with the Boulder Outdoor Survival School.

Last summer while exploring Newfoundland and the northeastern territories of Canada, Kuan and I decided to spend the next summer exploring Alaska. But because the season is quite short, we figured I could start driving north mid-June and Kuan could fly directly to Anchorage, AK as soon as she would be done with her backcountry adventure.

So here we are, Summer 2022, I am driving north to the last frontier!

I covered a lot of ground during those first few days and I am far from being done!I covered a lot of ground during those first few days and I am far from being done!

Tuesday to Friday: Salt Lake City, Ut to New Hazelton, Bc (27 Hr / 1,586 Miles)

The first few days of the drive have been pretty eventless. To be frank, the scenery was even quite boring to me. I am not a thick forest and rolling hills person: I like barren landscapes, deserts, and dramatic mountains!

But I was expecting the scenery to change and become more interesting as soon as I would hit the Stewart-Cassar Highway, the northwestern-most highway in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

I did reach the area last Friday and I am not disappointed!

Saying goodbye to Margot & Bertrand! Because we rented our apartment, we have been staying with them on and off in the past couple of weeks.Saying goodbye to Margot & Bertrand! Because we rented our apartment, we have been staying with them on and off in the past couple of weeks.

Camping by the Snake river in OregonCamping by the Snake river in Oregon

The Snake riverThe Snake river

About to cross into Canada via one of the most remote border in the Washington stateAbout to cross into Canada via one of the most remote border in the Washington state

The province of British Colombia offers many rest areas on its highways and they are always spotless!The province of British Colombia offers many rest areas on its highways and they are always spotless!

Camping in Lac La Hache Provincial ParkCamping in Lac La Hache Provincial Park

Mosquitoes have not been so nice with MargoMosquitoes have not been so nice with Margo

Totem poles are everywhere in the First Nation communities of Northwestern British ColombiaTotem poles are everywhere in the First Nation communities of Northwestern British Colombia

It’s not uncommon to see many totem poles standing in people’s backyardIt’s not uncommon to see many totem poles standing in people’s backyard

Truck for scaleTruck for scale

👺👺

Found a hidden gem for the night near the community of HazeltonFound a hidden gem for the night near the community of Hazelton

That’s the camp view I was waiting for! And it’s free!That’s the camp view I was waiting for! And it’s free!

Saturday: New Hazelton, Bc to Stewart, Bc (3 Hr / 161 Miles)

I woke up happy with the scenery and decided to drive a couple more hours to the remote community of Stewart, BC to visit the village and see the famous nearby glacier: the Salmon glacier.

Margo doing what she does bestMargo doing what she does best

Greeted by my first glacier: the bear glacierGreeted by my first glacier: the bear glacier

Main Street in Stewart, BCMain Street in Stewart, BC

From Stewart, BC I was able to cross back into the US and drive to the small community of Hyder. In fact, Hyder is only accessible via Stewart, BC. It’s an extremely isolated community and I was really wondering what type of life people live here.

Map of Stewart, BC and Hyder, AKMap of Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK

Back to the US for a couple of hours… Switching back to miles!Back to the US for a couple of hours… Switching back to miles!

The small community of Hyder, AK seems to fall in disrepairThe small community of Hyder, AK seems to fall in disrepair

I followed the dirt road north of Hyder for a couple dozen of miles, climbing up the mountain until I reached the first view point of the Salmon Glacier.

First view of the Salmon glacierFirst view of the Salmon glacier

After that, the road became rough and slippery with mud from the melting snow for 16 miles until I reached the second and last viewpoint. Not a road for the faint of hearts!

Following the steep and still snow covered mountain road to the final viewpointFollowing the steep and still snow covered mountain road to the final viewpoint

As soon as I stepped outside of the truck at the final viewpoint, two aggressive dogs attacked me. Some people left their trucks unattended with these two unleashed dogs to protect their belongings. Unbelievable…As soon as I stepped outside of the truck at the final viewpoint, two aggressive dogs attacked me. Some people left their trucks unattended with these two unleashed dogs to protect their belongings. Unbelievable…

Found a nice and safer place to park further down the roadFound a nice and safer place to park further down the road

The Salmon glacier. Honestly, this picture does absolutely no justice at how big the Salmon glacier isThe Salmon glacier. Honestly, this picture does absolutely no justice at how big the Salmon glacier is

Beautiful pools of glacier waterBeautiful pools of glacier water

Driving back down the mountainDriving back down the mountain

The border checkpoint when going back to Canada. Even though the only way to go to Hyder, AK with a car is to pass to come from Canada, you still have to show your documents before re-entering.The border checkpoint when going back to Canada. Even though the only way to go to Hyder, AK with a car is to pass to come from Canada, you still have to show your documents before re-entering.

Exhausted by the drive, I decided to stay in the municipal campground of Stewart, BC for the night and enjoyed their wifi in the morning to publish this article.

So what’s next? I still have one week to reach Anchorage, AK. It’s a long drive but I have many attractions and places to see along the way so I am hoping that the next week will be a little bit more fun that this first one!