A Mad Mad Mad Tour idea for 2013

[Rolf_Deb]

It's been a while since I've posted here, we've travelled, moved and been living at our cabin in the hinterland while our new house was being built. Needless to say the P car hasn't seen a lot of activity in the last year.

Now that we're finally settled and involved with the local Porsche Club again,I'm already thinking of the 2013 driving season. No this will not be an official PCA event, it may be hard enough to get more than a couple of cars for this one.

Prince George BC to Whitehorse YK. 1619 Km on paved two lane road. Here are some details, using a 5 point scale.

Corners 5
Straights 2
Scenery 5
Visibility 3
Road surface 4
Hwy toll collectors 1
Hazards, Large mammals on road 4

I would guess a week back and forth and probably 2-3 more to the rendezvous point and back home. A 10 day mid summer trip.

I know, a mad idea, but it may be the Porsche trip of a life time, and I can't stop thinking about it!

"I may be crazy, but it keeps me from going insane."
Waylon Jennings

[gtc]

I've been thinking about heading up there for a few years now.
I'm in, if I can sort out my job and car situations... both need fixing at the moment.

[bentlink]

Love the idea.

I too would love to do this trip.

(Of course, there is an extension to Inuvik that comes to mind, though that involves a few more "mads" to be added to title...)

What dates do you have in mind?

[Rolf_Deb]

The rough plan would be to leave around the begining of July. The road from PG to Whitehorse would be the Stewart Cassiar Highway 37, which is now fully paved and avoids the motor homes on the hwy 1 , Alaska Hwy.

I am sure that in the future there will more traffic on Hwy 37 as people realize it's paved, so this year may be the time to drive it.

I'll explore some extensions, as long as they are paved. Final dates and routes will be done through personal emails. Like always all types of cars and motorized vehicles are welcome.

[andrew83944]

that would be an epic trip !!

[Canada Kev]

It's good to hear highway 37 is all paved, now. Probably some very nice curves and road condition.

I grew up in Terrace (about 100 km past the turn off to hwy 37) and just this past August went back after being away for 15 years. I forgot how beautiful the area really is. Even over a long weekend, I couldn't believe just how free of traffic volume the roads were. I suppose they're more or less the same as they've always been, but after a decade in the city, they seem pretty free of other cars.

I've never been past Stewart on that highway, so am quite interested in this little road trip. I'll certainly be paying attention to the info that starts flowing in here. Keep in mind as well, between Smithers and Whitehorse, there's about 1200 km of pretty much nothing but you and the road. And all the critters, of course...

[Canada Kev]

It's too bad the section of road (about 50 km) from highway 37 to New Aiyansh is still gravel. It would be a very nice side loop to go around there through the lava fields to Terrace and then up to Kitwanga and then back on hwy 37.

[Producerjohn]

This does indeed sound epic. Subscribed

What kind of accommodations are on this route?

[Rolf_Deb]

Here are some rough first draft ideas.

Day 1 Starting point, Kamloops BC. to Vanderhoff 620 km, Motel
Day 2 Vanderhoff to Stewart 600 km, Motel
Day 3 Stewart to Watson Lake 640 km, Motel
Day 4 Watson Lake to Whitehorse 439 km, Motel, Hotel, Inn

We may stay longer at select destinations to view the local attractions, this is all still open to suggestions. Hyder Alaska, 90 km from Stewart would definitely warrant an extra day to view the glaziers and Grizzly bear habitat, as well as getting Hyderized.

Stewart, B.C. - YouTube
http://dglamb.smugmug.com/Travel/Stewart/12744741_kfS5QN#!i=917965796&k=VJChZLn

[Canada Kev]

I think you added an extra zero here... Hyder, AK is probably closer to NINE km from Stewart, if not quite a bit less... It only takes about two or three minutes to drive from Stewart. Coming back, one must stop at Canada Customs, but going to Hyder, there is no customs office at the border.

The drive from Meziadin Junction on hwy 37 to Stewart is about 45 minutes. About half way, Bear Glacier runs basically right up to the highway before it starts breaking off into a lake area. It is really something to see and to be so close to something that big that is actively "flowing". Sometimes you can see pieces calf off and fall into the water.



I think they filmed the movie Deliverance up there, as well.

[Rolf_Deb]

Thanks Kev for the clarification.

We need a support van for some side trips, and maybe a sponsor.

[briefescape]

Me and ToTo can be volunteer driver for the " Lions Gate Van " ? How long is that van again FFF ( Forty Five Feet ) ?

I am keeping my eyes and ears on this trip .

Cheers Guy

[Canada Kev]

The route you've outlined (at least up to Stewart) is actually good paved road. Past that, I have no experience. West of PG to the hwy 37 turnoff at Kitwanga is in quite good condition and smooth as of August 2012. It's been a lot of years since I've continued on up to Stewart, but the last time, the pavement was good, as well.

Once across the Alaska border to Hyder, all the streets are dirt/gravel, but it is also really small. If one wishes to drive on up to Salmon Glacier, the road continues with a more or less decent gravel surface.

Also, once in Hyder, be sure to pick up a bottle of Clear Springs grain alcohol. It's 190 proof (95%), and you won't find it anywhere in Canada, or perhaps even most places in the US. This is the stuff they use for the "Hyderization" ritual.

Another thing to keep in mind is that once you're off highway 16, and realistically just a few miles past Smithers, there's no cellular coverage until you're up in Whitehorse. I don't know if the VHF radiotelephone network is still operational, but that was the only way we could communicate to the phone network back in the day. Now, satellite phones would work, but who uses those...? If anyone has a hand held HAM unit, I suggest bringing it.

[Rolf_Deb]

I think we will have to include Hwy 113 in the itinerary, it is now paved all the way to the coast at Gingolyx.
The area has been noted for sightings of the Kermode Spirit Bear.

[Canada Kev]

That's the one that I mentioned above (#7) through Aiyansh. I don't think it's paved from there to highway 37. If it is, that would be a great side trip. Even going further south would be a good idea through at least to the lava field. A few years back the volcano erupted and spewed out enough lava to cover a huge area. It was just 250 or so years ago, so geologically speaking it's pretty recent. Driving through is like being on a different planet. It's truly awe inspiring. I've never been to Gingolyx, so I don't know much about it. It's just recently opened up to vehicular traffic with the new road. I can call some friends that still live in Terrace to ask if it is paved all the way to the cassiar hwy or not.

If that stretch of road is paved, I'd suggest possibly going through Terrace and then up Kalum Lake Rd/Nass highway (hwy 113) from there and then on to hwy 37. There's not a lot on hwy 37 between where 113 joins and Kitwanga, anyway.


The two routes:

Highway 37 turnoff at Kitwanga




And through Terrace




The difference is about 200 km, but it would take a lot longer than two hours just because you'd want to stop at least at the lava field, Gingolyx, and then likely at lookouts over Kalum lake and possibly at Lava lake.

In addition to the Kermode bear (which are pretty rare), one can also see grizzlies and there's always plenty of black bears around, too. Plus, all the other stuff like bald eagles. They're thick as mosquitos in spring, but by summer have mostly gone elsewhere.

[Rolf_Deb]

The latest articles I've read say that the stretch to the Lava Beds is still gravel but that Hwy 113 is paved.

This article from a motorcycle journal makes good reading. Another reminder about the jewel of the North... [Archive] - bcsportbikes.com

Thanks for posting the cool picks.

[Canada Kev]

I have an email out to a friend in Terrace that should know about this road. From what I gathered this past summer when I was there, it is paved ALL the way from Terrace to Gingolx (that's through the lava field and Aiyansh). However, also from what I heard, the 50 km section from Aiyansh through to Hwy 37 is still gravel. I didn't pay all that much attention to the specifics of what was new and not, but I will find out. Hopefully Jim will reply soon and have all the info we could ever want about that area.

Some teaser pics...





And some brand spankin new pavement, but that was a couple years ago...






Ride Report - Terrace to Kincolith (pix)

.

[A horse with no name]

How about this:

Rather than start at Kamloops - Why not start by just closing Hwy 97 down from Hope to Cache Creek -at say 2:00 am- and whoever is last to Cache Creek buy's breakfast?- No 930's allowed!

Cheers!

[Wiese]

Awesome idea! I had always wanted to take my '73 up to Alaska, I don't even mind the gravel roads...

[Canada Kev]

I talked to a friend regarding the road through the lava field, Aiyansh and to Gingolx. The road is paved and in good condition from Terrace all the way through to Gingolx. From Aiyansh to highway 37 is not. Being that it is a gravel road, its condition can vary due to weather, spring run off, etc.

I was told that it is normally a very nice drive. This is from a paramedic that is up there "far too often". I can't imagine it's all that relaxing to drive in a one ton ambulance with lights flashing and someone laying in the back.