Monday, 26 August
The Journey from Nugget City, YT, to Cassiar Mountain, BC
Today, we traveled 207 miles from our campground near Watson Lake to the scenic Tatogga Lake Resort near Iskut, BC.
Just under a mile from our starting point, we turned onto the legendary Cassiar Highway (Highway 37) and crossed into British Columbia shortly thereafter. Built in the 1970s, the Cassiar Highway is renowned for its rugged and remote character, offering an adventurous alternative to the Alaska Highway. This winding, narrow road carried us through breathtaking landscapes, with the Coast Mountains rising to the west and the Cassiar Mountains towering to the east. The route’s varied terrain included steep hills, deep valleys, and dense forests, keeping the drive challenging and captivating. Despite its lack of shoulders or lane markings, the road was in good condition, thanks to recent resurfacing.
As we drove, we passed through sections of forest marked by the aftermath of the 2010 wildfire, which burned over 30,000 hectares of wilderness. Sparked by lightning, the fire had temporarily closed parts of the highway at the time. Today, charred tree trunks stood as stark reminders of the destruction, surrounded by vibrant new growth that highlighted nature’s resilience and healing power.
We paused at several waterside pull-offs to take in the landscape’s rugged beauty. These moments allowed us to fully appreciate the raw, untamed wilderness that defines this remarkable stretch of road.
Cassiar Mountain Jade Store
About 76 miles into our journey, we stopped at the Cassiar Mountain Jade Store, a fascinating blend of jade shop and visitor center. This visit allowed us to delve into the region’s rich jade mining history while browsing a remarkable collection of locally crafted jade products.
The store specializes in nephrite jade, renowned for its deep green hue, exceptional durability, and high quality. This type of jade is abundant in the Cassiar Mountains and surrounding regions, making the area a significant hub for jade mining. Inside, the shop featured an impressive array of jade items, including raw jade specimens, intricately carved jewelry such as rings, pendants, and bracelets, as well as ornaments and small sculptures. Many of these pieces were handcrafted by local artisans, while others, though crafted elsewhere, used jade sourced from the region. Informational displays within the store explained the jade mining process in detail, and outside, we observed piles of raw jade along with vintage mining tools and equipment, adding an authentic touch to the experience.
The Cassiar Mountain Jade Store is deeply connected to the local jade mining industry, which includes family-owned operations that have thrived for decades. British Columbia’s jade industry plays a crucial role in the global market, with much of the jade exported to international buyers, particularly in China, where jade is highly valued for its cultural and spiritual significance.
However, jade mining in the region faces several challenges. These include navigating regulatory frameworks, addressing environmental concerns, managing fluctuating market demand (especially in Asia), and working collaboratively with Indigenous communities to ensure sustainable resource management.
Although we didn’t make any purchases, we thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The experience gave us a new appreciation for the skill and effort involved in jade mining and craftsmanship. It also piqued our interest in the reality TV series Jade Fever, which follows the Bunce family and their jade mining endeavors in the Cassiar region—a show we’re now eager to watch.
The Journey from Cassair Mountain, BC, to Tatogga Resort, Iskut, BC
We continued along the Cassiar Highway for the final 131 miles of our journey, navigating a landscape that shifted between rugged mountains and dense forests stretching as far as the eye could see. The road wound through deep valleys, hugging the sides of towering peaks, while the distant, snow-capped summits of the Cassiar Mountains loomed on the horizon, enhancing the dramatic beauty of the surroundings. With every mile, the terrain felt increasingly remote and untamed, offering us breathtaking views of the untouched wilderness.
Just 29 miles from the Jade Store, we passed through the Dease River Crossing community near Dease Lake. Originally established in 1837 as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, this area has since evolved into a service hub for travelers. The local economy thrives on mining activities, including the exploration of gold, copper, and jade, which are abundant in the region. The Dease River Crossing area is also home to the Dease River First Nation’s housing project, which seeks to improve living conditions for local residents by building new homes, demolishing uninhabitable structures, and introducing innovative tiny homes.
As we pressed on, the highway ascended and descended steeply, leading us toward Gnat Pass Summit, the highest point on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway at 4,071 feet.
After crossing the summit, we began our descent into the Stikine River Valley, where we reached the narrow Stikine River Bridge. Beyond the bridge, the road became rough and winding, forcing us to slow to a careful 30 mph for a short stretch. Once across the bridge, we continued our descent, eventually arriving at the Kluachon Centre, where we stopped to fuel up.
Ten miles later, we reached our destination for the night, the Tatogga Lake Resort, ready to relax after a day of scenic adventure.
Tatogga Resort
The campground at Tatogga Lake Resort perfectly captured the remote beauty of its location. Tucked away in a secluded spot surrounded by wilderness, stunning mountain peaks and lush forests framed it. While not all campsites were equipped with full amenities, we were fortunate to have one with water and electricity, making our stay more comfortable.
The campsites had a raw, unmanaged feel to them. Many had recently been cleared of brush and undergrowth to accommodate the caravan, and our site was scattered with small stumps, 1-2 inches thick, a reminder of the recent clearing work.
The caravan treated us to dinner at the resort’s restaurant that evening. The interior was filled with fascinating displays, posters, and taxidermy that showcased the region’s rich history and diverse wildlife.