WOTL Canada travel info

[wcthalgott]

I need some advice from our Canadian brethren on traveling through the western provinces. A buddy and I are planning a trip to Hyder Alaska next May to coincide with an event being held over Memorial Day Weekend the last weekend in May. The two route options are Hwy 16 through Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia or route 39 to Trans-Canada Hwy 1 to Lake Louise and then Hwy 93 to Hwy 16. I have two questions, first how common are motels long these routes and second is what is the weather like in the mountains at that time of year. Do we need to worry about roads not being open due to snow?

TIA,
--
Bill Thalgott              OH
05 ST1300A   84 VF500F    02 FZ1      IBA# 18420
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[Rigger]

Well I just drove highway 16 (also called the Yellowhead Highway) this past summer and it is very boring and the surface has much to be desired. Small towns with clean, low cost motels.   No scenery at all unless you like counting grain elevators.  I got off the Yellowhead at Lloydminster and headed north to Cold Lake.  But once you are on the Alberta side the road improves drastically.  There are services every so often and this is a truck route.
 Hope this helps, oh one more thing, Alberta in spring is known to have some interesting weather. Be prepared!!!
 
 Ray

[RedNeil]

Both the 16 and the Trans Canada through Saskatchewan and Alberta are both pretty damn boiring as far as roads go.   One has to appreciate the wide open spaces that the prairies can give you to really appreciate the scenery.  Just like in the states there's lots of small town where 70% of the population has moved to the big city, so I wouldn't expect hotels in every dot on the map.    There's (usually) a sign on the highway as to whether there's accommodation in the upcoming town or not.  ... and depending on the size of town, you can still find the  bathroom-down-the-hall sort of hotel AND find that even though there's a hotel in town...it doesn't mean there's somewhere to eat.  Don't expect a franchise motels anywhere except the major cities.   It's all part of the adventure.

The mountains will still be cold in May.   It kind of depends when in May you're planning on swinging through them.  A point of reference it that fly fishing in June in Calgary sucks in the rivers coming off the mountains becuase that's when the major melt happens and washes all the silt downstream.   So in May, you can still expect snowstorms and generally unsettled weather.  It could be warm and toasty .. and it could be snowing inches per day.  Bring your electric vests and you should be ok.  It never hurts to leave a day or two as flex-time to make sure a snow storm doesn't cause grief.  Calgary is know for having experieinced snow in every month of the year so it really depends on how the season s going that year as to whether it's nice or freezing.

The 93 up past the Columbia Glacier is always cold .... so going up there in mid-May would guarantee to keep the drinks inthe saddlebags chilled. Between Jasper and Prince George is a bit on the dull side.  Not a lot of roads to choose from and although you're in the mountians, you'll find yourself mostly in large valleys.  About half way between Prince George and the coast the road gets more interesting as it weaves through the coastal mountain ranges.

RedNeil

[wcthalgott]

The mountains will still be cold in May.   It kind of depends when in May you're planning on swinging through them.

The Hyder Seek gathering is May 25-26, 2007. We plan to get to Hyder on Thursday the 24.

Bill

[Nitro]

weather can be beautiful in may!!, or not, both routes will put you to sleep,but only for a day,    but for alaska you will be shorter taking the yellowhead. Lotsa  places to stop, wont be busy in may.

Have a great trip!