For your handy reference, this pdf map from the BC Government provides information 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, a small glacier along Highway 37A. In 2008 we were surprised to see a much smaller glacier than we saw in 1993.
Bear Glacier, along Highway 37A - September 1993
The same Bear Glacier fifteen years later in July 2008
The mountains each side of the valley provide many views of glaciers, snow and rocks.
Glaciers visible along Highway 37A between Meziadin
Junction and Stewart - July 2008
Highway 37A scenery on the way to Stewart BC
Scenery on Hwy 37A between Meziadin Junction and Stewart
Scenery on Hwy 37A between Meziadin Junction and Stewart
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 units. Of course, there are no hook-ups. There is also a sign warning of bears.
Clements Lake Recreation Site just off Hwy 37A - July 2008
Stewart is at the end of the Portland Canal, nestled snug in a valley.
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 BC.
The border crossing from Stewart BC to Hyder AK -
July 2008
In Hyder, a block off the main road is an easy-to-find fish restaurant, referred to as "the bus". The food is great -- in 2008 we drove from the Meziadin Lake campground to Hyder just to enjoy dinner at this funky spot!
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 and there is a daily fee to access the viewing platform. 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, so we trotted back to the viewing platform. Because it was late in the day and it was pouring rain, we had this bear all to ourselves.
Grizzly bear alongside the Fish Creek bear viewing platform, just
north of Hyder - September 2007
Grizzly feeding at Fish Creek - September 2007
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, which is VERY rough in places.
The road re-enters British Columbia.
Past Fish Creek the road enters British Columbia on its
way to Salmon Glacier - September 2007
There are a couple of minesites 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.
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 - September 2007
Salmon Glacier - September 2007
There is good parking at this viewing area, suitable for trucks and small RVs.