When I’m motorcycling, I prefer loop routes that allow for different scenery and experiences. When I was researching route options for our motorcycle trip from Wyoming to Alaska, I came across the Stewart-Cassiar Highway as a more remote alternative to the Alaska Highway on several forums and articles.

Reading that this route usually offers less traffic, more wilderness, and a chance to see a different part of British Columbia sealed the deal – we would return from Alaska via the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.

After completing the Golden Circle Route, we headed east toward a dark and ominous sky. The rain started soon after and was getting heavier the farther we went. Luckily we reached the Continental Divide Lodge and Restaurant, stowed our gear, and made it inside just before the deluge.

We ordered a couple burgers and chatted with another motorcyclist who had the same idea. Several more came in to get out of the weather and soon the place was bustling. We finished our food just as the rain stopped and had clear skies as we made a hard right turn south onto the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.

Motorcycling the Stewart-Cassiar Highway vs. the Alaska Highway

It was immediately apparent that this was a smaller, less traveled road when compared to the Alaska Highway. Other vehicles were few and far between, which was a nice change. There were no lines or shoulder and the trees came right up to the ditch on either side. The lack of a shoulder made it difficult to stop and take pictures, but it was quite a scenic route. 

I’d read there were fewer services available along this route so we had planned accordingly. We picked up some snacks and a couple of beers at a gas station in Dease Lake to supplement the food we were carrying into a makeshift dinner at our hotel the first night.

Stewart-Cassiar Highway Spur to Hyder, Alaska

A gentleman on the White Pass Railroad had recommended Route 37A from Meziadin Junction to Stewart, BC, as a scenic drive right off the Stewart-Cassiar Highway complete with a glacier overlook. The route brings you to Hyder, Alaska, the southernmost community in the state that can be reached by road.

I did some research on Hyder and figured we would stop and check it out. It would involve yet another border crossing, but the novelty of visiting this small Alaskan community landlocked by Canada outweighed the time commitment. We set off for Hyder the following morning.

While the drive was as nice as described, we unfortunately discovered that nothing in Hyder is open mid-day on a Monday.

We took some pictures and headed back to the border crossing to explain to the guard why we had only crossed over into the US for a couple minutes. He didn’t seem surprised but did make us take off our helmets and go through the full screening before we could re-enter Canada and continue on our way.

After grabbing lunch in Stewart, we headed back past Bear Glacier and made our way down to Smithers, BC, for the night.

We celebrated the completion of the Stewart-Cassiar Highway with some beer flights at Smithers Brewing Company, happy to have experienced this slower paced, alternate route to the Alaska Highway and excited for the adventures ahead on our journey back to Wyoming.