2017/02: Cycling from New Hazelton to Terrace

  Stage 2017/02 [A045]
New Hazelton - Kitwange - Terrace (Yellowhead Highway)
⇨ 85 mi / 136 km
⇧ 680 Hm (garmin edge 1000)

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Cycling from Smithers, British Columbia to Whitehorse, Yukon.

Stage from New Hazelton to Terrace following Yellowhead Highway.
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway.
The weather does not promise anything good for today. But there is no time for a long wait, as today's stage is with a length of 85 miles / 136 km on the longer side.
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway.
The high mountains along the way are quite impressive. Even if we can not estimate how high these mountains actually are, since the peaks are covered in clouds. 
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway.
Every now and then there is a small piece of blue sky and we feel the sunbeam warming us up.  
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway.
At noon we reach Kitwanga junction where the Cassiar Highway starts. However, we remain on the Cassiar Highway since we are heading to Terrace and further north on Nisga'a Highway. We plan to enter Cassiar Highway in two days time taking the Cranberry Connector westbound from New Aiyansh. The lavafields at New Aiyansh are worth the detour. 
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway.
Shortly after Kitwanga Junction we have our first encounter with a bear: In the dense scrub at the roadside, there we see a black bear eating parts of it. After a brief eye contact, we retreat in different directions. A little later we come across a black bear with two cubs. The black bear builds up in front of us and waits until the offspring disappears into thickets. We give the three a little more time and then continue slowly.
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway.
Within the next miles, the weather again and again provides a brief view of the snow-capped peaks next to the road.
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway. Old Skeena Bridge.
On our bike tour through Canada, we have now cycled the entire route between Jasper and Terrace on the Yellowhead Highway. That's just 950 km / 590 mi on one and the same road! But now it's time leave the Yellowhead Highway: Shortly before the Yellowhead Highway crosses the Skeena River, we turn right and cross the Old Skeena River Bridge directly to Terrace. The one-lane bridge was built in 1925 and expanded in 1953 with the addition of the railway bridge.
 
British Columbia and Yukon by bicycle: cycling from Smithers to Whitehorse - stage 02/2017 from New Hazelton to Terrace via Yellowhead Highway.
Beer of the day: Sherwood Mountain from Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse Ltd. A Pilsener brewed according to European brewing tradition.