Sunday August 22, Hyder, AK
Well we are back in Alaska…..Hyder is a wee town on the coast, just through the border from Canada and the last little southern point of Alaska that is accessible by road. The town of Stewart is 2 miles away, in Canada. You drive into Hyder without going through any US border control, but have to go through Canadian customs to drive out….all quite bizarre. They use Canadian Currency here, and don’t run to Alaskan time either.
It was an amazing trip today down the last section of the Cassiar Highway, the scenery was just so beautiful and we saw more wildlife on the drive today than we saw the whole time we were on the Alaskan Highway. Spotted a grey wolf but couldn’t stop for a photo as had a truck right behind us, it looked like a very big Alsation dog. A little further on and a black bear was on the road, it scampered down the bank and when we stopped it was climbing up a tree, so funny. But it couldn’t hold on so dropped to the ground and went crashing further into the undergrowth. Saw a few bald eagles as well…just a wealth of wildlife.
The mountains were all around us and as we got further south the vegetation became more lush, and not as many autumn colours.
We turned off to take the 40 mile road to Stewart and Hyder and within a very short time we came across five black bears on the side of the road, in fact we had to stop to let one cross! What a day.
The further we drove the scenery closed in and we passed a number of glaciers before entering a narrow steep walled canyon. It was drizzling a bit as we came through the towns of Stewart and Hyder, they have heaps of character, lots of exploring to do tomorrow. We are staying at a small camp a few miles before the bear viewing platform on Salmon River. Went up to see bears tonight, expecting a great sight, but unfortunately nothing happening. Lots of people there waiting expectantly but all there was to see were the spawning salmon and a very photographed golden eagle!
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