Ingraham Trail, Northwest Territories

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About

In the 1950’s, when mineral discoveries in the Northwest Territories sparked a “roads to resources” construction boom, the Canadian federal government began to build a highway from Yellowknife to Fort Reliance, at the extreme eastern end of Great Slave Lake. The road was designed to be part of a loop that would eventually circle the entire lake, but the project was abandoned when mining potential did not meet expectations. The “Ingraham Trail” – named for colourful Yellowknife entrepreneur, Vic Ingraham – now ends at Tibbit Lake, just 69 kilometres from Yellowknife.

Fortunately for hikers, paddlers, campers and day-trippers, the Ingraham Trail follows a chain of small, picturesque lakes. The route has become a recreational headquarters, with campgrounds, hiking trails, boat launches and a series of put-in points ideal for short-haul paddlers. Wildlife viewing bonus: The Ingraham Trail is located in the midst of the Bathurst Caribou range. Hikers and paddlers may also catch sight of foxes, wolves, pine martens, hares and the occasional black bear.

From your Yellowknife base, pick up a trail guide at the city’s Northern Frontier Regional Visitor Information Centre, and design your own Ingraham Trail vacation. (Note: Driving conditions on the Ingraham Trail vary from paved to loose gravel, with frequent potholes, bumps, and blind corners. Bring your own supplies – there are no services on the Ingraham route.)

Ingraham Hikes

Prospector’s Trail – Follow the 4-kilometre interpretive loop in Fred Henne Park, on Long Lake near Yellowknife Airport to learn about the gold-rich geology of the Precambrian Shield.

Cameron Falls Trail – Short (1.2 kilometres) and scenic, this route in Hidden Lake Territorial Park will take you to a spectacular waterfall on the Cameron River. Plan to picnic on the rocky ledges beside the falls.

Prelude Nature Trail – Pick up a trail guide from the Prelude Territorial Park campground office and start from the day use area of Prelude Territorial Park. A 247 metre climb takes you high above the lake.

Prelude Lake Panoramic Trail – Follow the boardwalk along the water’s edge to a set of stairs leading to a scenic viewpoint.

Ranney Hill/Marten Lake Trail – Beginning in Yellowknife, drive past the Giant Mine on the Ingraham Trail to the Vee Lake Road. A 2.5 kilometre wilderness walk takes you through boreal forest, rocky outcrops, wetlands and peat fields. Stop for a picnic at Marten Lake.

Reid Lake Trail – From the main campground at Reid Lake Park, wind through fields of cranberry, bearberry and jack pine forest.

Ingraham Camping

Fred Henne Park – A well-serviced campground located on the outskirts of Yellowknife, near the airport on Long Lake. Amenities include a boat launch, public beach with lifeguards, and canoe and paddle boat rental.

Prelude Lake Territorial Park – A favourite with locals, Prelude Lake offers campsites, picnic sites, and a boat launch. Located 20 kilometres east of Yellowknife. Great trout fishing!

Reid Lake Territorial Park – An hour’s drive from Yellowknife (61 kilometres), with campsites, boat launch and beach. A starting point for canoe trips down the Cameron River.

Ingraham Paddling

The chain of lakes that parallel the Ingraham road provide an ideal opportunity to develop your paddling and navigational skills. A detailed paddling guide, available at Yellowknife’s Northern Frontier Regional Visitor Information Centre, provides a description of 8 Ingraham Trail canoe routes, including maps, degree of difficulty, start and finish points, and itinerary.

Day Trips – Lower Cameron River (advanced paddlers); Tartan Rapids (with whitewater).

Weekend Trips – Hidden Lake (1-3 days); Powder Point (3 day lake travel, some portages); Upper Cameron River (2 days, whitewater).

Expedition Trips – JenneJohn Lake (5 days for advanced paddlers); Pensive Lake Wilderness Tour (4 days for advanced paddlers).

Contact the Northern Frontier Regional Visitor Information Centre in Yellowknife to check water levels and current conditions before beginning your trip.