2017/06: Cycling from Stewart to Hyder and back

  Stage 2017/06 [A049]
Stewart - Hyder (Alaska) - Stewart
⇨ 14 mi / 22 km
⇧ 80 Hm (garmin edge 1000)

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Cycling from Smithers, British Columbia to Whitehorse, Yukon.

Stage from Stewart to Hyder visiting the Grizzlies and back to Stewart.
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: Cycling the Cassiar Highway northbound visiting Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.
Today we cycle across the border to Hyder, Alaska. To enter the US has never been easier, since there is no US border guard here. An onward journey from Hyder into the national territory of the USA is nearly impossible and that is why theUS withdraw their troops many years ago for financial reasons. Due to different customs regulations, smuggling of alcohol and tobacco into Canada is lucrative, which is why the Canadian side controls the border very well. Leaving your passport at your accomodation in Stewart while going on a daytrip to Hyder will lead to the absurd situation of not being allowed to return to Canada on your return trip. 
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: Cycling the Cassiar Highway northbound visiting Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.
A few miles north of Hyder, we visit the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site, lokated directly on the banks of the Fish Creek. From a boardwalk we watch black bears and Grizzlies fishing salmon from the river and eat it.   
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: Cycling the Cassiar Highway northbound visiting Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.
Especially the observation of the Grizzlies is very impressive. The brown bears are at the top of the food chain and I get the impression they know about that. The river is tightly packed with uncountable salmons lying close to each other. A Grizzly is not exactly fishing or hunting, a Grizzly is taking the fish. The plenty supply of salmon is the reason why Grizzlies near the Pacific coast weight of up to 680 kg, get a shoulder height of up to 1.50 m and are significantly larger and heavier than the conspecifics in the inland areas.   
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: Cycling the Cassiar Highway northbound visiting Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.
On the observation platform we feel very safe from the bears. After leaving the board walk we are back on the road again and while we cycle along the river, we suddenly don't feel so safe anymore. 
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: Cycling the Cassiar Highway northbound visiting Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.
In addition to the bears, there are also bald eagles to watch here. Such an bird reaches a weight of just over 6 kg with a wingspan of more than 2 m. I do not want to get in the way of an eagle.
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: Cycling the Cassiar Highway northbound visiting Stewart and Hyder, Alaska.
Cycling back to Stewart, BC.