Route 1 West Side of Canadian Rockies

Image of this route (large size)

Small overview perspective of “Spokane North” route

Route notes

This route is, in general, an assumption that you are already on the West side of the Continental Divide.  Routes are generally organized by virtue of where they are in relation to the Continental Divide…

If you were on the East side of the Continental Divide, the assumption is you would likely start at Cut Bank, Montana.  That route, or at least a possible start point at Cut Bank, is seen on the “Alaska Hwy” route page.

The Border up to Golden

  • The extended valley from the Cranbrook CYXC area up thru McBride CAV4 offers beautiful views of the W side of the spine of the Rockies.  A few pictures here.
  • Wide open valley with numerous landing options (airports) along Hwy 95 until just past Golden CYGE.
  • At Golden you should make a weather & terrain decision–press on til Valemount CAH4 (self serve fuel) or wait out weather.  FBO building at Valemount has shower; Camping on field.
  • There is also 100LL available at McBride CAV4.  Though the fuel is self-serve, when I last filled up there one had to call a local # to gain access to the fuel shack.

Golden to Valemount / McBride

  • The section from Golden CYGE to Valemount CAH4 is 128nm mostly along Kinbasket Lake. While there are some beaches to land on if needed (depends on yearly snowfall/water level), as well as a heli-ski lodge about 1/2 way up (no runway), this section is VERY remote with few landing options.  There appears to be an unnamed strip (shown on Caltopo.com) at 51.962601, -117.806459 (no information found yet–email please if you know anything about this strip)
  • Once at Valemount you pick up Hwy 16.
  • Valemount has a very nice pilot building with hot shower and bathrooms
  • McBride CAV4 also has self-serve fuel (in a shed @ S end of field–Call phone # on shed for access to fuel).  Camping on field–no water that I saw when I stopped for fuel.
  • At about McBride CAV4 you make another weather decision–continue along this route or branch off for the Trench (which starts at Mackenzie CYZY).  For me, weather & winds both have to be very favorable to consider the Trench (more on that in the Trench Route page)

Prince George: The Trench–or To the Coast

  • AVOID Prince George CYXS!  They have fuel, but there is a surcharge for more than 50 liters–and fuel is typically at least $0.40 per liter more expensive than at either McBride or Vanderhoof (CAU4).  If you want a motel, then stop at Prince George–there will be a tie-down fee.
  • I’ve stopped at Prince George twice.  The first time the fuel truck person himself even told me to get just enough to get to McBride!  The other time was a weather delay where the fuel guy suggested I go to Vanderhoof.  You know it’s “bad” if even the local ramp folks suggest you keep going!

Headed toward the Coast

  • Once past Vanderhoof CAU4 (self-serve) you can follow Hwy 16 to Terrace CYXT, or go direct weather permitting.  Direct is very scenic, but absolutely remote with few emergency landing options.  Burns Lake CYPZ and Smithers CYYD both have fuel.  Smithers has access to motels & restaurants if desired.  Smithers has camping on field as well as taxi access to town for food restocking.
  • Vanderhoof CAU4 has self-serve fuel (no facilities–just fuel).  Smithers does not get good reviews: High fuel prices, landing fees, tie-down fees, you get the idea.
  • Terrace CYXT is a good stop to file U.S. customs (eAPIS) and get fuel.  Easy out to the coast along Hwy 16 and the Skeena River with plenty of alternate landing spots.

Ketchikan & Juneau area

There is a lot of helpful information on these two high density traffic areas.  Please review the information on this website page.

Haines & Skagway

  • Skagway is a very high density traffic area.  Multiple sightseeing and helicopter operations.  Excellent maps and discussions on special flight routes in the greater Skagway area here.  Please review!
  • The Haines and Skagway area offers a lot of interesting history, beautiful scenery, motels, good restaurants and grocery stores.  Both towns have a brewpub!  Museum is interesting in Skagway.
  • The Klondike gold rush of 1898 started in/near Skagway.  Great history reading about that event on numerous websites and books.  One link
  • Tip: Assuming you’re headed to either Haines or Skagway, please note there are numerous, frequent tour and scheduled flights between Haines/Skagway and Juneau.  The unpublished, yet agreed upon route everyone uses is to travel up Lynn Canal on the W side and down Lynn Canal on the East side.
  • Fuel is available (call out) in Haines.  No fuel is available in Skagway (unless you purchase a 50 gallon drum and pump it yourself (Yes, I’ve done that once).
  • While fuel is available in Haines, generally fuel is much less expensive at either Juneau, or (better option in my opinion) at Gustavus PAGS.
  • There are at least two unmarked but easily landable (camping) areas nearby.  One at Katzehin (Google Earth link) and one at the Davidson Glacier (Google Earth link).  Note: If there are high winds forecast for the Lynn Canal both of these spots are VERY windy (ask me how I know)!  The Davidson Glacier airstrip is, as far as I know, on public land.  There is an outfitter nearby that runs various day tours for hiking/ATV for people they pick up in Skagway off of the cruise ships.  I’ve camped at the airstrip with no problem.
  • The route from Skagway North to Cordova and/or into the Anchorage area will be discussed on a separate Route Page.
  • I highly recommend spending time in both Skagway & Haines.  Easy walk to town from the airport at Skagway; Walk a couple of miles or call a cab (?) to get to town from the airport at Haines.

Penticton – Prince George Option

Out of Spokane you could also head to Omak (OMK) or Scott (0S7–self serve fuel; top off & call Canadian customs from here).  Clear Canadian customs at Penticton CYYF (Self & full service fuel–landing fee?).  Note that ForeFlight indicates this is not an Airport of Entry–however the Canadian Customs website says it is an AOE (link).

You can then follow Hwy 97C up to Kamloops CYKA (fuel; Hotels).  I’ve spent a couple of nights in Kamloops.  Nice town with plenty of food & hotel options.

From Kamloops up to perhaps Quesnel CYQZ (self serve fuel).  In his thread on Backcountry Pilot, Oregon 180 (link) recommended getting a car and driving over the historic gold mining ghost town of Barkerville (link) from Quesnell.  Barkerville looks like a cool place to visit (on my “to do” list).  Though it is not shown on ForeFlight (I’ve emailed them re this omission), there is a dirt strip at Barkerville. CAS3 is the identifier as listed in the Canadian Flight Supplement.  Here is a link to a Google Earth point for the field.

Depending on your planned route North, once again, my recommendation is to bypass Prince George (crazy expensive fuel prices)–unless you want a motel there or weather dictates a landing.  Otherwise, again depending on route choice, head either up to Mackenzie (CYZY) or Vanderhoof (CAU4).

Trench Route Option

Covered in separate route article (link)

Smithers–Dease Lake–Carcross Option

You may elect to follow Hwy 16 to Smithers CYYD (fuel, motel, restaurants, camping).  Note: Smithers is reportedly like Prince George–landing fee; fuel surcharges–super expensive.  Think twice before landing there.  Perhaps stop in Burns Lake CYPZ , fuel up, then continue on to Dease Lake CYDL along Hwy 37 (fuel, camping, motel/restaurants–couple mile walk).

Dease Lake tip for 2021: Craig at NorthCoast Helicopters can verify availability of 100LL at Dease Lake.  Website: link; Phone 250-631-6031

Carcross CEB7 (link) is a great intermediate stop.  Two ways to get there from Dease Lake.  Follow Hwy 37 then Hwy 1 around, or cut the corner saving a lot of miles and head for the bottom of Teslin Lake.  Once near Teslin you can follow Hwy 1 and Hwy 8 into Carcross.

At Carcross there is a well maintained gravel runway.  Camping is available on the field.  Carcross was a stop on the Klondike gold rush trail.  Suggest camping toward the E end of the runway (05-23).  The highway is at the other end of the runway and it is noisy!  It is a short walk from the runway to town.  Go past the gas station, which actually has a good small cafe as well as WiFi inside.  In town, there is a boardwalk with gift shops, coffee shop, et cetera.  There is a small but very interesting museum, an outstanding visitor’s center, a great Bistro–highly recommended [picture here] and good Wi-Fi (Carcross “Commons” map link).  I don’t think there is a motel, but you might check as this site indicates the original Caribou Hotel is being renovated (link).

Carcross is a superb location to file customs for your arrival in Skagway.  Customs # is 907-983-2325

An interesting side trip on this route that I’ve done twice is to head for the headwaters of the Yukon River, which is located at the Llewellyn Glacier.  If this is on your agenda, from Dease Lake you can head NW toward the bottom end of Atlin Lake.  The route generally follows the (marked on maps) old telegraph line trail along the Tahltan River, Nahlin River then Tseta Creek to Ruth & Paddy Lakes, thence Along the Salmon River valley to the Pike River and eventually to near the bottom of Atlin Lake. Note: This is very remote country to fly over.  Scenic to be sure, but remote.

From Carcross into Skagway you can fly along Bennett Lake along the White Pass RR line or follow Hwy 2–both easy valleys.  Clouds and weather can stack up along White & Chilkoot trail area (link)–check Skagway weather before filing customs and embarking.  Pictures flying from Carcross to Skagway (link)

Smithers–Bob Quinn Lake–Wrangell Option

  • One route that I haven’t taken (yet) is to follow Hwy 16 from Vanderhoof CAU4, then N along Hwy 37 toward Meziadin Junction, eventually up to Bob Quinn Lake CBW4 (no services).
  • The follow the Iskut River to the Stikine River out to Wrangell PAWG (customs 907-874-3415, fuel).
  • I don’t know if there is cell phone service at Bob Quinn Lake.  Assume there isn’t cell phone access; Arrange all your customs elements from Smithers.
    • Unlike all the other routes, you likely won’t have radio or cell service after leaving Smithers.  If you’re going to be exceptionally late past your projected customs arrival time into Wrangell you won’t have an alternative means to notify Wrangell customs of such–other than perhaps a text message through your Garmin InReach or similar device (satellite phone?).
    • Smithers is apparently like Prince George–several pilot reviews suggest avoiding Smithers if at all possible (more below).
  • John Muir started is his several Alaska forays at Wrangell and travelled up the Stikine River–I want to see that area
  • There are several historical native sites to visit in Wrangell as well.
  • One could go from Bob Quinn Lake CBW4 up to Dease Lake CYDL (I’ve been on this route from Smithers North).  Dease Lake has fuel.  Restaurants/motel are available, though a few miles walk from the airport (no courtesy car!).
  • From Dease Lake, weather permitting, one can follow the Stikine River to Wrangell PAWG or if weather isn’t cooperating head up to Watson Lake CYQH (top of the Trench Route and on the Alaskan Hwy route).  From Watson Lake (pictures link) (self-serve fuel; WiFi) you can head over Carcross along Hwy 1 & 8. Pictures travelling from Watson Lake to Carcross (link).

Skagway North Route

Covered in separate page (link)