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Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Trip
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Trip
This was now our time to head out and do a little more exploration. It was only 14 hours north of Kevin & Dora's to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. And so...that is where we headed in late Aug and early Sept.
Aug 19 - Red Earth Creek, AB
Aug 19 - Red Earth Creek, AB
This was a quick stop after we dumped tanks, filled water and picked up groceries in Slave Lake. We had hoped to stop earlier in the day but due to the rain that had been happening the previous few days, the boondocking locations looked to have very muddy roads and we just weren't comfortable taking the trailer into them. So we ended up in Red Earth Creek, essentially a town geared towards the oil industry workers. It was there we found (on IOverlander) a boondocking location at the community hall and baseball fields.
We left at about 10am the next morning and there was something happening across the field from us as there were a couple of RCMP officers over there with what looked to be an abandoned truck. The truck was not there last night but was there when we got up in the morning. One of the officers did get Ken's name and birthdate just in case.
Aug 20-21 - High Level, AB - Visit to the Old RCMP Home
Aug 20-21 - High Level, AB - Visit to the Old RCMP Home
On our way to High Level, we stopped for lunch in Fort Vermilion at a community park.
Stayed a couple of nights at the Fox Haven Golf & Country Club Campground, just a few minutes outside of High Level. We will be stopping here on our way home from Yellowknife so will get photos at that time.
I grew up in High Level in 1969 and 1970 (grades 3 and 4) when my Dad was the Sergeant for the RCMP base. We lived in the house that was attached to the office. This house was built in 1965 and was only used until about 1975 when a new RCMP office was built in town.
At the time I lived here, the town was only about 5 or 6 blocks in each direction and all the roads were gravel. I remember the muddy roads especially the day I biked to school (which was only 2 blocks to the left of the house) and during the day it rained and I could not bike home. I tried and got stuck! Luckily I remember Dad having to walk up the road to pick up both me and my bike...I was a lucky girl!
Stopped at the visitor center and Ken got to feel small once again!
The visitor center was done really well, with lots of displays for time gone by and the pipeline history of Alberta.
Aug 22-25 - Hay River, NT - Alexandra & Louise Falls
Aug 22-25 - Hay River, NT - Alexandra & Louise Falls
We are staying in a territorial park on the edge of the Great Slave Lake. Which as it turns out is the 9th largest lake in the world.
During the days drive from High Level to Hay River, we noticed that when in Alberta the sides of the road were well trimmed as shown below. As well, for most of the day the roads were very quiet with little traffic.
Stopped at the Visitor Center when we first crossed in the NT.
Home of the Wood Bison.
Here in the NT, look at the sides of the roads...not trimmed at all like in Alberta. Also see how much of the forest has burned along our drive. In some areas the ground was still smoldering!
Made it to Hay River and the Hay River Territorial Park. It is a beautiful location here in Site C7.
Found this wall art at the Information Center.
Took a short walk to the public beach near the park. The beach looked like it has not been used in many years. But they do have some great storyboards about life on the Great Slave Lake.
Waterfalls. Took a drive to the Twin Fall Gorge area and hiked from Alexandra Falls to Louise Falls and along to Escarpment Creek. It was a little smoky to start our hike about noon but by the time we finished up about 3pm, the skies cleared from smoke but the rain started. Good time to finish.
Alexandra Falls
Alexandra Falls
Alexandra Falls - not as dramatic as previous years due to the lack of water in the Hay River. Water drops 100ft.
From Alexandra Falls we hiked about 2.5km along the escarpment to Louise Falls.
A look at the top of the river just before it drops over the Louise Falls.
Top of the spiral staircase.
The spiral staircase to take to get to the top of the Louise Falls.
Due to the fires in the area it was not safe for us to continue to the top of the falls.
A short walk from the spiral staircase we had a better view of the Louise Falls.
A beautiful spot to stop for lunch!
This area looked to be hit hard by fire. We could imagine how beautiful it must have looked prior to the fires. This part of the trail from Louise Falls to Escarpment Creek is called the Medicine Walk. We did not make it to the end of the trail as it was not well maintained and I was not comfortable continuing our hike. Good thing as when we just got back to our truck the rain started.
Ann's Story - who the Medicine Walk trail was created for
Prickly Rose
Black Spruce Tree
Cranberries
Common Juniper
Some of the views along our hike.
Was really hoping to find a storyboard about this purple plant as it seemed to grow within the ashes of the forest.
A fresh pile of bear scat that we found near the start of our hike.
Looks like red berries that we saw along the trail were a main staple of the diet!
Finished up our hike back at Alexandra Falls where we walked down the blue steps that allowed us to walk along the bottom of the riverbed due to the low water level. Lots of shale and we were able to get up close and personal with the falls!
You would never know the water takes a 100 ft drop here. It looks like the river just continues along as it narrows off in the distance.
It was a great way to end our day of hiking...glad we saved this part for the end of our hike.
Our last day in Hay River was a relaxing one. We enjoyed our walk along the beach of the Great Slave Lake.
Lots of driftwood out here but no shells. This looks to be a well travelled beach, Jill at the visitor center mentioned that you can drive about 6km on the beach.
Also walked a small part of the Rotary Trail which is also part of the Great Trail.
The trail was weed whacked earlier in the year but that was it.
Found this lovely bench to stop at and enjoy the view of Hay River.
Aug 26-Sep 1 - Yellowknife, NT
Aug 26-Sep 1 - Yellowknife, NT
From Hay River, it was on to Yellowknife.
Crossed over the Mackenzie River
On the other side of the Mackenzie we saw some Wood Bison. They are larger than the Plains Bison that we saw in South Dakota.
Long, straight roads on our drive with some previously burnt landscape.
Another lone Wood Bison. Surprising that we are not seeing them in herds like in South Dakota.
A small snippet of the Great Slave Lake.
Spent the week at Fred Henne Territorial Park just on the outskirts of Yellowknife.
One of our first nights we visited the downtown park for their Farmers Market which as it turned out was mainly a food festival. A musician entertained the crowd.
Enjoyed some delicious Indian food at Bluebell Eatery.
People hanging out in the park
From the park we walked down the hill to NWT Brewing Co. The food here was amazing! They had a Trout Ceviche that was to die for and on another visit we enjoyed the Duck Breast that was on the daily menu...this is a must stop location.
One of our days we explored Yellowknife Old Town. We walked from Downtown to Old Town.
The Rock.
The Bush Pilots Monument is found at the top of the stairs on The Rock.
Views from the top of The Rock.
Overlooking Great Slave Lake
Houseboats?!
Mural on the fence
Overlooking back towards downtown.
Enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch at Bullock's Bistro. Expensive at $36.00/plate, portions were large so we could have split a meal (provided we both wanted the same fish, I had the Whitefish, Ken had the Inconnu)
After lunch we crossed over to Latham Island.
The original Bank of Toronto from 1939.
This area houses those from the Dene Nation.
The Dene word for Stop...Niike
Most of the homes and buildings on this island are built on rock.
After walking most of this small island, we head back toward downtown.
Canadian Pacific Air Building
The mural on the side of the building is made from tiles.
The Wildcat Cafe...had hoped to stop here for a drink and appetizer but decided not to given their prices.
Just as you arrive into Yellowknife there is another part of the Great Trail and a Freighter plane that made history as the first wheel equipped aircraft to land at the North Pole on May 6, 1967.
We could just barely see this aircraft from our campground.
On one of our evenings, we had a clear night so it was a short drive out of town around 11pm to hopefully spot the Northern Lights. About 11:30pm they appeared as wispy clouds in the sky and we could not see the color until after the picture was taken when we viewed them on camera. The lights moved about the sky and some areas appeared to be brighter than others and as it turns out this is where the sharpest colors could be seen. We spent about 1.5 hours out there, Ken spending a bit of his time talking to the firefighter pilot from New Brunswick who was also a first timer to see the lights.
It was another day to visit some museums in the area. The first we went to was the Yellowknife Historical Society Museum housed in the Giant Mine Rec Hall. This museum covered a lot of history around the gold mining here in Yellowknife as well as the largest employer at the time which was Giant Mine.
On our way in, we spotted this little guy.
Why is Yellowknife called Yellowknife?
The Yellowknives Dene
A disastrous consequence of gold mining was the use of Arsenic and now the land is needing to be cleaned up...Remediated.
Diamond Mining is the next latest thing to be found in the Yellowknife region.
Yellowknife evolved from a mining town to a government town in 1967.
Continuing with Museum visits...we next toured the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. This was a very formal museum and we took a few pics and went thru it quite quickly. The displays were well done...we are just museumed out!
A special exhibit within the museum was the display of the Mooseskin Boat.
Time to hike Cameron Falls Trail.
It was a relatively short hike but hiking over the rocks to get to the falls made it seem a little longer.
After our hike we drove to the end of the road. In winter this lake becomes a winter road.
We took our last Saturday while in town to visit the Legislative Building. We were hoping to have a tour but those are only offered M-F. Nonetheless it is an impressive building.
The travelling legislative chair prior to the building being completed.
Natural light entering the building.
Like most legislative buildings this one also had pieces of art.
The one sculpture outside of the building.
The building is located on the shore of Frame Lake.
The legislative building on the south end of Frame Lake.
One of the highlights of our trip to Yellowknife was to visit Nature's North Wildlife Gallery...Taxidermy at its finest!
Nature’s North Wildlife Gallery is much more than just a specimen gallery. You will take part in an artistic experience with many of the animals who call the Northwest Territories home. Two world renowned taxidermist and artist brothers, Greg and Dean Robertson, have come together to create a northern wildlife experience like no other. Each animal is displayed uniquely to try and capture a moment in the animal’s natural life. Many displays will tell you a story, bring out an emotion, capture a moment in time, show their playful side, or just leave you in awe of their natural beauty. www.NaturesNorth.ca
The booklet that guides you through each animal display.
Our last thing to do while in Yellowknife was to walk around Frame Lake Trail. I was not expecting it to be as rocky as it was given that the tourist books make it out to be a easy stroll around the lake...yeah, maybe only the part closest to downtown! It was a wonderful trail though and a must do if you are able to hike the rocky areas.
As part of the trail you pass by Yellowknife Peace Park supported by Rotary.
United in Celebration Sculpture in the park.
Part of this trail is also part of the Trans Canada Trail now called The Great Trail.
Lots of ravens here in the north.
Great views of downtown
Sep 2 - S. of Indian Cabins, AB - Boondocking
Sep 2 - S. of Indian Cabins, AB - Boondocking
Time to leave Yellowknife and head back to Alberta. Along the way we really noticed the changing color of the leaves...Fall is here!
Bison in the area! Didn't see any on way south.
Stopped at Lady Evelyn Falls just north of Hay River. I visited these falls when I was a child (8 or 9 yrs old) and we called them the Root Beer Falls due to the color that flowed over the edge. There's not much water this year, just a trickle over the edge.
Just after passing Enterprise, NT on our way south to the NWT border, we noticed a relatively new fire had recently come through the area. Lots of really blackened trees. However, the new green grass made for a striking contrast.
I had planned a few boondocking locations that we might have stayed at however they were in the fire zone so we passed them by and came into Alberta. Just after gassing up in Indian Cabins, we found this really muddy location to spend the evening. It was an old abandoned oil rig site. I think they referred to it as "orphaned".
Sep 3-6 - Peace River, AB & Area
Sep 3-6 - Peace River, AB & Area
So much of the drive was driving through the green tunnel. Not my favorite views.
Driving down into the Peace River Valley. We had a beautiful day for it, no smoke!
We found a great free boondocking location just outside of Peace River (only by about 5 min). The Northern Sunrise County has 5 or 6 RV spots that one can stay in for 14 nights, no hook ups but very conveniently located.
That's us in the camping area on the left. This is the Cecil Thompson park right in front of us.
Fox Signs out of Medicine Hat created this sign for out here in Peace River!
One of the coolest "toys" here in the park, a giant pillow to bounce on!
Time to explore the area around Peace River.
Just a short drive from our campspot was the Twelve Foot Davis Gravesite.
Twelve Foot Davis - aka Henry Fuller known for claiming an extra 12 ft from 2 existing gold mining claims that eventually yielded him $15,000 -$20,000 worth of gold in the early 1860's, making him legendary.
Henry wanted to be buried where the two forks met in the Peace River.
The original gravestone is the base and new one is the "wood like" carved piece.
Later in the day we were walking in the downtown area and found more information about the Legend of Twelve Foot Davis.
We took in the views at Sagitawa Lookout - a Plaizier Family Legacy, located on the south side of the river overlooking Peace River.
Downtown Peace River has a memorial to the signing of the 2nd Adhesion of Treaty 8 as this is where it took place in 1899.
Residential school history in the Peace River Area.
Continued our tour of downtown and of course found Peace River Brewing!
It was here at the Peace River Museum that we met and after an evening of Mexican Train Dominoes quickly became friends with our campsite neighbors (as it turned out), Wendy Bridges & Henry Moyo! (from Florida)
Wendy & Henry are travelling in a converted van as they too explore the country.
Alexander Mackenzie Voyageur Route
Had a couple of great meals here at the Board 'n' Barrel restaurant. Most the items on the menu were either gluten free or could be made gluten free as the owner's daughter is celiac. Terrific tasting food!
Another Rotary sponsored Peace Pole here in Peace River!
Another exploration driving day.
The small community of Grimshaw is just a 20 minute drive west of Peace River. It's claim to fame is that it is Mile Zero of the Mackenzie Highway.
A few of the storyboards on site at the Mile Zero display.
High Level & the First Cat Train, that is a Caterpillar Train used in the winter.
Stopped for a break at the Heilan Beer House in Fairview.
Continued our drive towards Dunvegan Bridge. Beautiful scenery along the way and the skies were clear!
Headed to the Dunvegan boat launch
From the boat launch area looking back at Dunvegan Park
Headed back over the bridge to Dunvegan Park
Too late in the season... the Dunvegan Historic Site is closed for the season. We did however pick up some great veggies, fruit and sausage at the Dunvegan Gardens.
Our drive continued back north to Hines Creek...noted for having the world's largest railway spike. Besides seeing that, I found a restaurant that was part of the Hines Creek Hotel that served Farm to Table food items. Their website made it look inviting. However when we got there it turns out the place is closed down and looks to have been closed for some time. Next time...need to phone to confirm! Drove back to Grimshaw to enjoy dinner there.
Our next driving day was a smoky one as we made our way along the Shaftesbury Trail to Fort Fork, the ferry and Falher (pronounced Falair), Girouxville and finally back to the park.
Stopped at Fort Fork
Sir Alexander Mackenzie tribute
Just before the Ferry crossing we spotted this little bear.
Blakely Landing
The Shaftesbury Ferry
One of our final stops was to see the World's Largest Bee in Falher. There was construction going on in the park right in front of the bee so we could not find out the story behind this display.
Did you know that Falher is home to the world’s largest bee statue? This stunning structure was created in 1990 by a local welder, Richard Ethier and sits proudly on display 20 feet in the air in the heart of downtown Falher... TheMightyPeace.com
The smoke got really bad as this was our view of Peace River on our return home.
Time to leave Peace River, stopped in Nampa at the Sunrise Cafe for breakfast before dumping our tanks in McLennan, filling up with water in Slave Lake and then back to Kevin & Dora's in Athabasca, ending our trip to Yellowknife.
Smoky skies at breakfast outside the restaurant.
Inside the Sunrise Cafe...a wall of cassette tapes.
And this ends our trip to Yellowknife.
Would we do it again? Not likely. The drive was not memorable for views. We enjoyed our time along the way but for us it was a one and done experience. Glad to say that we did it though!
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