May 10, 2025
Kleanza Creek Prov Pk to Kitwanga
Kitwanga is a very small town at the intersection of the Yellowhead Highway and the Cassiar Highway. Once I leave the Kitwanga River RV and Camping area, I will ride north into a country that has beckoned me for many years to return. If you’re traveling to Alaska from the northwest U.S., the Cassiar is the “shortcut” route. Since the Alaska-Canadian Highway, or AlCan, starts near the border of B.C. and Alberta, you have to go east in order to go north. The road is better, but this route is, in my opinion, more scenic. From here, the road stretches 450 miles to its junction with the AlCan.
The road from Kleanza Creek to Kitwanga was very pleasant, probably the most pleasant ride since the middle of Vancouver Island. The weather is starting to turn a bit (even though I avoided a heavy shower by eating my lunch under a semi-tractor trailer that happened to be parked in a turnout) and so is the scenery. Things seem to be awakening and today the high temperature will be in the low 60s.
I met a couple traveling in their Sprinter van from the Seattle area and headed back to their home in Anchorage. They are taking it leisurely and covering about 200 miles a day. I don’t know what they do, but they work seasonally and are returning from a few weeks in that National Park area of Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. The van life looks attractive except I get to enjoy the smells and sights of spring the entire trip. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
One of the cultural aspects of B.C. that I particularly appreciate is their respect for First Nations people. Their lives, way of life, and their land commands respect and, in the U.S. we’re nowhere near the same degree of respect for Indigenous autonomy like they have here. I know it’s better than it used to be, but it has to get better.
My communications will be challenging because I lose cell service and WiFi will be available on occasion. I’ll post next from Meziadin Junction, two more days up the road.
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Today's ride: 50 miles (80 km)
Total: 489 miles (787 km)
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1 month ago
Wish we had a pic of you lunching under the truck trailer.
1 month ago