
When was the road to Telegraph Creek built?
Canada, north-america
110 km
849 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Telegraph Creek, a tiny, totally charming settlement on the Stikine River in British Columbia. Getting there? An adventure in itself! We're talking Telegraph Creek Road (Highway 51), about 110km (68 miles) of pure wilderness stretching from Dease Lake (off the Stewart-Cassiar Highway) to Telegraph Creek.
Built way back during the Klondike Gold Rush and named for a planned telegraph line, this road is *not* for the faint of heart. Think steep, narrow, and mostly unpaved. After the first few kilometers, you're leaving the pavement behind and entering serious backcountry. We're talking compacted dirt and gravel – beautiful, but can get slick!
The road climbs to 849m (2,785ft), so be ready for some serious braking action. Expect switchbacks galore, so maybe leave the giant RV at home. Most vehicles can manage, but be prepared for a single-track road with limited passing spots.
The views, though? Absolutely worth it. The road winds along the Stikine River, with insane cliffs and photo ops around every bend. And Telegraph Creek itself is like stepping back in time, with historic buildings from the gold rush days. Budget 2-3 hours without stops, but trust me, you’ll want to stop.
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 110 km
- Max Elevation
- 849 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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