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3 Reasons why you should ride a motorcycle to Salmon Glacier in Canada
Season 6 : Project Alaska
1 October 2022By far, my favorite motorcycle ride in Western Canada was to Salmon Glacier, British Columbia. I'd never even heard of this place, so I was incredibly happy I somehow decided to check out this area. In case you've never heard of it either, or are doubting whether to make the detour to see it. Here are three reasons why you shouldn't miss out on this incredible place.
1. You get to enter Alaska to reach Salmon Glacier
Salmon Glacier lies within Canada, but to reach it, you'll have to pass through part of Alaska. The tiny town of Hyder, Alaska sits right at the border here and it's one of those quirky little towns that’s interesting to visit too. A tradition in town is to 'get Hyderized' - meaning you have to down a shot glass of 150 proof everclear alcohol (containing 75.5% alcohol!). So be careful if you still have to hit the road after that and make sure the alcohol has left your bloodstream! You get a certificate after you've downed the shot and it's a fun little souvenir from this place. You can find it in the only bar in town: the Glacier Inn.
2. Unique views on the glacier below
I don't believe there are many places in the world where you are able to ride a dirt road in the mountains, while looking down at a huge glacier. The Salmon glacier snakes its way down from the mountains and into the valley for kilometers on end. To ride next to this sea of ice on a dirt road is simply incredible. The windy, mostly unpaved road prevents the big crowds and tour buses from reaching it. That means it's relatively quiet and you get to enjoy all the sights without traffic jams and huge RVs trying to make it up here.
The dirt road was in a pretty decent state when I was there, so even on a road bike, you can make it if you ride slow enough. I've seen pictures of Harley riders riding up to the Salmon Glacier viewpoint so it definitely can be done. Of course, it will be much more fun on a dual sport/adventure bike, as you don't have to slow down so much for the potholes and the rocks.
After the viewpoint, the road in fact continues further along and I can recommend exploring this part too. I was the only person doing so, which surprised me because the views further down were fantastic too. Eventually, you'll reach an area where there is gold exploration and mining going on and you'll most likely have to turn around. Riding the road back will offer different views and you get to experience it all again, but even better!
Salmon Glacier is the 5th largest glacier in Canada and riding this dirt road gives a great perception of the sheer size of it!
3. High chance of seeing bears
This area is known to have lots of bears roaming around, both grizzly bears and black bears. You'll pass an area with salmon-rich creeks, where the bears like to come during the salmon run and feed on large red salmon, called Fish Creek. There are viewing platforms where you can see the bears while they are fishing. When I was there, there weren't any bears hunting for salmon unfortunately. However, I did see a black bear running across the road at some point.
The bears are here mainly from mid-July through early September so it's a short window in which you can spot them here. It's also the busiest time of the year so if you like to have the place a bit more to yourself, then you should try and avoid coming here around that time!
Your reply
Taking your advice and visiting Salmon Glacier is a real possibility for me as I live in the Pacific Northwest, not to far from the Canadian border. It’s been added to my list is places to adventure ride! Thank YOU for the amazing ride!
secondcreekrider
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Thank you for letting us explore the world through your eyes. I always look forward for your new episodes. And on days when there are no new videos, I check your old episodes. M in Season 3 now. Started watching you when you were somewhere in Colorado and no stopping since.
Mirik Rider
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Noraly
I love the posts from Haida Gwaii and Lisimis Nass. I lived in Masset on Haida Gwaii for 3 years and was able to kayak in South Morseby National Park Reserve. Awe inspiring down there, good for you to sit that unique part of the world.
Our MC trip in June was up thru the Yukon and down Hwy 37, a reverse of what you are doing. Watch for bears, lots on the road in June. We tried to go to the Salmon Glacier but the road was blocked with snow even on June 22. I see you got Hyderized.
We took the bypass road into the Nass Valley which i am sure you did as well. A good gravy road but some muck for the last 2 km.
If you get a chance go to Atlin, a magical community on the shore of Atlin Lake. Beautiful glacier vistas to see from the the town. The Top of the World Highway is another must do from Dawson City to Tok Alaska.
Love you trips.
Stay safe and happy trails
Jim Vardy
Comox, B.C.
Jim V
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My husband and I will be heading to Alaska from New York in 2024 on adventure bikes. I’m hoping to visit many of these spectacular places on our trip. I have already changed my route and decided to head to Lake Louise on our way to Alaska after watching that episode. I absolutely loved the scenic views along the Icefields Parkway. Keep riding my friend! I have loved every episode!
Tlcchild
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Yet again incredible footage taken on your adventure. I always wanted to travel to the Yukon and this would make a great detour to experience in real life. That drink must have warmed you up a bit, pretty sure I saw some sweat on your forehead after that shot.
Stay safe.
Marzoom
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I have been watching all of your youtube adventures. You are showing all of us places we might not be able to see ourselves, so we live through your adventures. I personally think you should try to get " Honda " and " GoPro " to sponsor all of your adventures. This is a Great test of their equipment and they could use your footage in their commercials. Stay safe and I'm looking forward to watching your adventures through my eyes.
KTDT
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I’ve been as far as Haida Gwaii (it was called Queen Charlotte Islands back then) and thought I’d seen it all until .. well, you! I had no idea about that Glacier!! I swear, I’m learning more from you than about the world around than I ever did in school. It would be a lot to ask you to never stop, but I’m asking 😂😂
Rayne
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I enjoyed every minute of that one. The drone work is spectacular. The scenery is outrageous.
(seeing Noraly riding the gravel road as the drone follows with the glacier in the background was brilliant. We get an immediate sense of the size of it all.)
This was a fantastic episode. Well done.
Pete Cartwright
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Hero's also ride motorcycles, your one fantastic person.
Ride on 🙏👍
Sansjane
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Such beauty up there! My buddies and I have been planning a ride up that way to Hyder but more to the west and incorporating a ferry ride up the inside passage from Vancouver. Hoping to do next year. Keep on inspiring us, Noraly!
CO Mtn Rider
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