Yukon Sights by Sue Thomas

Highway 37A - Meziadin Junction to Stewart, BC
including Hyder AK and Salmon Glacier

This pdf map from the BC Government provides info about the sites & trails in the Stewart & Hyder area, including the Fish Creek bear viewing site and Salmon Glacier.

Bear Glacier Provincial Park is the home of Bear Glacier along Highway 37A.  
In 2008 we saw a much smaller glacier than in 1993.

Bear Glacier, Cassiar Hwy
Large Bear Glacier along Highway 37A - September 1993

Bear Glacier on Highway 37A, B.C.
Photo showing Bear Glacier shrunk fifteen years later in July 2008

The mountains each side of the valley provide many views of glaciers, snow and rocks.

mountains
Glaciers visible along Highway 37A between Meziadin Junction and Stewart - July 2008

Highway 37A - Stewart BC
Highway 37A scenery on the way to Stewart BC 

Hwy 37A - Meziadin Junction
Photo showing the scenery on Hwy 37A between Meziadin Junction and Stewart 

Highway 37A - Meziadin Junction to Stewart
Another photo of scenery on Hwy 37A between Meziadin Junction and Stewart

Mountain view
Scenery on Hwy 37A between Meziadin Junction and Stewart

Between Meziadin Junction and Stewart there is a turnoff towards the south.  The road leads to a very pleasant recreation site at Clements Lake that would easily fit small camping rigs.  Of course, there are no hook-ups but there is a sign warning of bears.

Clements Lake, B.C.
Clements Lake Recreation Site just off Hwy 37A - July 2008

Stewart is at the end of the Portland Canal, nestled snug in a valley.

Stewart BC at the end of the Portland Canal
Portland Canal where it meets Stewart - July 2008

The border between BC and AK is also where the road changes from good to not-so-good. There is no customs to pass through on the way to Hyder; however, there is a Canadian customs crossing from Hyder back into B.C.

Border crossing into Hyder AK
The border crossing from Stewart BC to Hyder AK - July 2008

In Hyder there is an easy-to-find fish restaurant, referred to as "the bus".  In 2008 we drove from the Meziadin Lake campground to Hyder just to enjoy dinner at this funky spot!

Hyder Bus for fish
The "bus" in Hyder, home of great fish & chips - July 2008

Along the road and past the "bus" is the Fish Creek bear viewing area.  The road widens to provide a parking area.  We stopped on our way up to Salmon Glacier and saw nothing, so left and stopped again on our way back to Stewart.  Again nothing. 

As we were leaving, a grizzly walked by the parking area headed towards the water. 
Because it was late in the day and it was pouring rain, we had this bear all to ourselves.

Grizzly feeding at Fish Creek AK
Grizzly bear photo at the Fish Creek bear viewing platform, just north of Hyder - September 2007

Grizzly at Fish Creek, AK
Photo of grizzly feeding at Fish Creek - September 2007

Grizzly at Fish Creek, AK
Grizzly feeding at Fish Creek - September 2007

To view Salmon Glacier, continue past Fish Creek on the gravel road.  I would not recommend towing a trailer on this road that is VERY rough in places.

The road re-enters British Columbia. 

AK - BC border on the way to Salmon Glacier
Past Fish Creek the road enters British Columbia on its way to Salmon Glacier - September 2007

There are a couple of mine sites along this road.  The BC government has a webpage that provides more info about this area, including the hiking opportunities on the Titan Trail (Alaska), Sluice Box Trail (BC), and United Empire Loyalist Trail.

Further up the road is Salmon Glacier.  First bit of ice to come into view is the toe of the glacier.

Salmon Glacier
Toe of Salmon Glacier, deep in the valley alongside the road

The "toe" of the glacier pictured above is off to the left in the next picture.

Salmon Glacier
Salmon Glacier - September 2007

Salmon Glacier
Salmon Glacier - September 2007

There is good parking at this viewing area, suitable for trucks and small RVs.  The turn around area is not large so if you are uncomfortable backing up your rig, it may not be the spot for you.