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Cassiar
The turnoff to Cassiar was located 115 km (72 miles) north of Dease
Lake on Hwy 37 just before Good Hope Lake near the Yukon border.
Ghost
Town
Cassiar is now a ghost town but previously was the site of a major
asbestos mine which was closed in 1992. All of the buildings and
mine equipment have been removed leaving no trace of an economic
machine that opened up this part of British Columbia.
Hwy
37
What Cassiar did leave British Columbia was Hwy 37. This was the
route that the ore-carrying transport trucks drove from Cassiar
to Stewart. These large trucks were an
awesome site when they were travelling on the road.
Monsters
Equipped with containers for the asbestos, the trucks also had separate
tanks to carry diesel fuel back to Cassiar for the electrical generators.
Many nail-biting experiences were encountered as drivers went past
the clouds of dust and snow kicked up by these monsters.
Alternate
route to Alaska
Now opened up all the way from Watson Lake in the Yukon to Kitwanga
(Gitwangak) on Hwy 16, Hwy 37 now serves as an alternate route to
the Alaska Highway when travelling to Yukon and Alaska. This 700
km (438 miles) road is a very scenic highway with the views of the
Cassiar Mountains and old volcanic craters being incredible.
Good
Hope Lake
There is a provincial park just north of Good Hope Lake at Boya
Lake if you want to explore the area. You can find gas pumps in
Good Hope Lake at Kididza Services if your running low on fuel.
Jade
City
Various jade mines are in the area with a large souvenir shop at
Jade City Campground and RV Park located 2.7 km (1.7 miles) north
of the old junction to Cassiar.
You
won't be disappointed
If you are travelling north, try and make Hwy 37 part of your plan.
It is now seal-coated most of the way with highway improvement projects
happening regularly. This route is actually shorter if you're on
your way to Alaska. The Alaska Highway and Hwy 37 are equally as
scenic so if you can plan a circle route you won't be disappointed.
Bear
Country
Just remember if you are enjoying the provincial parks and the countryside
around British Columbia, please remember this is Bear Country. Try
to avoid the rivers during heavy salmon spawning times unless you
feel comfortable with bears around and take the usual precautions.
There is also the possibilities of encounters with wolves or cougars
so please play it safe.
Cassiar
Links
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click map for
larger image
Arrow Transport
Truck
courtesy Herb Daum - Cassiar.ca
Cassiar Asbestos
Plant
courtesy Herb Daum - Cassiar.ca
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