One thing I've found from my flying in BC and the Yukon is that even if the CFS says there's no fuel available, call anyways. The company that operates there likely had their own tank and may be willing to sell you some gas if you really need it. As for courtesy cars they seem to be hit and miss many smaller airports have them but the clubs are finding they aren't being used and are slowly getting rid of them.

Don’t expect airports, even regional airports such as Prince George, to have any tie downs anywhere. But ask to park in the grass and use your anchors and ropes.

Thanks everyone. This is what I was trying to generate from that information. You can see that it's just a rough overview, but these routes you've provided will be included in the article. Thanks again.

Not to muddy the waters, but an alternative not shown is:

Watson Lake CYQH--Carcross CFA4 (no fuel, but CYSQ Atlin has fuel)--Skagway (PAGY customs)--(possible Haines PAHN fuel stop)--over Glacier Bay (possible fuel stop at Gustavus PAGS) to Yakutat (PAYA, fuel)--Cordova (municipal PCKU)--Valdez (PAVD)--Lake Hood Gravel (Lakeshore PALH) [or Merrill Field PAMR].

Once you get to Skagway (no fuel), thence the coast, there are wide infinite beaches to set down on if needed for the entire trip North from there. There are numerous fishing lodges and many both charted and uncharted grass/gravel strips along the way as well.

In my humble opinion, this option is FAR more scenic (with moderate to good weather of course) than the remainder of the Alaska Highway from Watson Lake on...

Just a few details about Prince George, BC, we diverted there last Monday due to gusty crosswinds at Mackenzie after coming down the Trench:

The good: 3 runways to choose, we landed into the wind with 18 kts gusting 28 kts. Also, you can tie down at the Central BC Flying club, which also has a nice pilot trailer with honor system snacks. Tower/ground suggested this to us. 5 minute walk to the terminal for a taxi.

The less good: Very high price gas, if my calcs are correct after converting to gallons and applying the exchange rate, was $6.43 US per gallon. Also, it's a long taxi ride to town, about $35 Canadian one-way. You might be able to get a hotel shuttle, but we were limited on hotels due to having our dog along.

Maybe this kind of info should go in another thread?

Follow-up with more hotel info:
Looong trip into Williams Lake from the airport - taxi ride cost more than the hotel when we stayed there 8 years ago.
Quesnel has the "Airport hotel" within walking distance of the actual airport, plus decent camping and showers at the airport.
Smithers Sunshine Inn has a free airport shuttle (they pay the taxi fare if you stay with them).
Atlin has a couple hotels, but no taxi (unless you let me know you're coming through). A bit over a mile walk from airport.

For anyone interested, current fuel price in Atlin (CYSQ) is $2.23/liter.

7GC wrote:Maybe this kind of info should go in another thread?

Agreed, this thread was a very specific question, although people can do with it what they want. Some good info here already.

I’ve done the Cassiar a few times, usually Smithers (fuelling truck, limited hours) -DeaseLake (from the helicopter operator, when someone is there)-Whitehorse (24 hr self-serve credit card fuel). Carry some jugs in case there’s a fuel hiccup. Stopped in at Atlin, but only saw some drums scattered around, no pump or fuel shed. Saw a couple posts back it was a recommended fueling stop, so how do you get fuel in Atlin? Does it take a couple minutes or a couple days?

You can get fuel in Atlin by either walking across the street to Pine Tree Services, who operate the fueling system, but they are typically only there 8-5 M-F. You can also call them off-hours and take your chances on whether or not someone will answer. Alternatively, I have a key to the pumps and an account, so can arrange to get you fuel if you give me some heads up beforehand (like a day or more). I don't have a phone but email works, and I have a handheld radio at my cabin as well (but mostly it is not on unless I'm expecting someone). I'm usually around most of the summer and willing to help folks out if I can.

Fuel tanks and pump are south of the "pilot lounge" right off the N end of the runway.

Thanks GregA, good to know. Fuel availability leads to better decisions. BTW, ran into a few Alaskans down at the warm springs that prefer to summer in Atlin instead of the panhandle.

I wonder why this option isn't reported more often? Not having flown a small a/c to AK from the lower 48, but doing so in a few weeks, I am curious!
J

tedwaltman wrote:Not to muddy the waters, but an alternative not shown is:

Watson Lake CYQH--Carcross CFA4 (no fuel, but CYSQ Atlin has fuel)--Skagway (PAGY customs)--(possible Haines PAHN fuel stop)--over Glacier Bay (possible fuel stop at Gustavus PAGS) to Yakutat (PAYA, fuel)--Cordova (municipal PCKU)--Valdez (PAVD)--Lake Hood Gravel (Lakeshore PALH) [or Merrill Field PAMR].

Once you get to Skagway (no fuel), thence the coast, there are wide infinite beaches to set down on if needed for the entire trip North from there. There are numerous fishing lodges and many both charted and uncharted grass/gravel strips along the way as well.

In my humble opinion, this option is FAR more scenic (with moderate to good weather of course) than the remainder of the Alaska Highway from Watson Lake on...

AOPA has a video discussing three of the routes up there. I don’t know enough for form an opinion of it, though.

Actually, Skagway (PAGY) has fuel (100LL), its just not all that convenient since you will need your own cans and you will need to walk from the south ramp across the street to Petro Marine open 8-4:30 7 days a week during the season.

I’m always amused by folks worried about the cost of fuel entities to AK from the lower 48.

First, they sell it in liters. Really? You’re gonna do the math?

Second, it’s in Canadian dollars. More math. Actually too much math for me.

Finally, if you’re pinching pennies that tight, maybe you should reconsider the trip. If you get to, say, Watson Lake, and discover the price of gas there, what are you going to do: Spend the winter there?

I’m not suggesting you totally ignore the cost, but if you get so wrapped around the axle worrying about the cost, you may not enjoy the trip.

It is, in fact, the trip of a lifetime.

MTV

Just flew the Cassiar both ways. Amazing trip!

KPAE-Quesnel
-Short day due to thunderstorm activity. Camping facility available, super friendly locals.

Quesnel-Atlin
-Fueled at Burns lake- Call in advance, had to wait about an hour for service at the pump. Fueled again at Dease Lake. Atlin is a gorgeous setting. Had beers with super friendly locals before camping at the strip. Avoid the pit toilet. Trust me. Atlin was out of fuel. Call ahead.

Atlin-Fairbanks
-Beautiful flight from Atlin to Whitehorse for fuel. Cleared customs at Northway. File eapis and call to give notice the day before and you’ll have a pleasant experience. Stop in the Northway FSS and say hi to Jackie. Tell her Chris from Philly says hello! weather was shit to the south so we headed to Fairbanks. Great camping and super friendly people at the airport.

After 2 weeks in AK, we returned via similar route.

Gulkana-Smithers
- Fire activity on the increase. Smooth trip otherwise. Cleared customs at beaver creek and fueled at Whitehorse. Camped at the southwest end of the Smithers strip. Lot of firefighting activity, so be courteous.

Smithers-Port Angeles- Smooth trip with a stop at Williams Lake for fuel. Fires and smoke increasing.

Arrived home last Saturday. Amazing trip. Let me know if you need any beta.

Fuel prices were fairly reasonable throughout trip (except McCarthy!).

I flew the Cassiar. It was a blast. Longest leg Smithers to Dease Lake 3 hrs 9 minutes. Spent a couple days in Haines Junction with super high winds and severe turbulence forecast and that was a great time....you gotta go to the bakery there!