HYDER, ALASKA & STEWART, BC

Black Bear catching salmon

We traveled from Tok, to Hyder, Alaska & Stewart, BC from July 13 to July 16 traveling some 1269 miles since we left Fairbanks.  From Watson Lake we went over 300 miles down the Cassiars Highway.  This was a beautiful drive but the road was very narrow in places with no shoulders so this was a slow drive.  there were rushing rivers and an area where the largest Jade Mine in the world is located. 

Jade City

This is to be our last destination in Alaska before heading home going by Jasper, Banff and Glacier National Parks.  The main thing to see in Hyder is the bears that come to Fish River when the salmon are running and Salmon Glacier.  Stewart BC and Hyder are separated by the border  Stewart is a Logging community with very little services, no bank, a small market and only one gas station.

Hyder is virtually a ghost town with only one business, a gift and fudge shop.  We spent two nights at a campground in Stewart.  We crossed the border each day to see the salmon and see the bears.  Finally on the second day the salmon began their run and we were there when the first salmon came up the river,

Fish River Observation Deck

Salmon Glacier is the 5th largest glacier in North American.

You could drive up the mountain to the top of the Glacier.  The drive and views were breathtaking.  A long drive into this isolated area but certainly worth the time if you have never been to Hyder.  The ideal time to visit is the end of July to September.