105. The Alcan Highway VS The Stewart-Cassiar Highway

The 50 marker is the beginning of the Alcan Highway at Dawson Creek, which ends at Delta Junction up in Alaska. The Stewart-Cassiar Highway is the Western route heading South from marker 69 (Watson Lake) and you end up over at Jasper National Park.

The Alaska Highway (Alcan): This was the route we took up to Alaska that is the more well traveled route with more amenities along the way. There were more mountains in general. There were a few popular stops along the way, including Muncho Lake, Liard Hot Springs, and Tetsa River Lodge for cinnamon buns. Next time, I would leave more time at Muncho Lake and Liard Hot Springs, maybe 2 nights each. They were cool places. After Watson Lake, these two highway options merge anyway so the rest would be the same.

The Stewart-Cassiar Highway: This was the less traveled route we took on the way back from Alaska. It branches off from the Alaska highway near Watson Lake going South and takes you by numerous nice lakes and you can take the offshoot over to Stewart and Hyder to see the glaciers, bears, and more nice mountains, which we recommend.

I liked the directions we drove these highways. It was fun taking THE ALCAN up to Alaska and getting our picture under the sign and everything. The only issue we had was that it was a bit late to see the bears in late September in the Hyder area on the way back.