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{{Short description|Highway in the Northwest Territories}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox road
{{Infobox road
|province=NT
| province = NT
|type=Hwy
| type = Hwy
|route=4
| route = 4
|name=Ingraham Trail
| name = Ingraham Trail
|alternate_name=Northwest Territories Highway 4
| alternate_name = Northwest Territories Highway 4
|map=
| map =
|length_km=69.2
| length_km = 69.2
|length_round=
| length_round =
|length_ref=
| length_ref =
|established=
| established =
|direction_a=West
| direction_a = West
|terminus_a=[[File:NWT-3.svg|15px]] {{jct|state=NT|NT|3|name1=Yellowknife Highway}} in [[Yellowknife, Northwest Territories|Yellowknife]]
| terminus_a = {{jct|state=NT|NT|3|name1=Yellowknife Highway}} in [[Yellowknife]]
|junction=
| junction =
|direction_b=East
| direction_b = East
|terminus_b=[[Tibbitt Lake]]
| terminus_b = [[Tibbitt Lake]]
|previous_type=NT
| previous_type = NT
|previous_route=3
| previous_route = 3
|browse_route=
| browse_route =
|next_type=NT
| next_type = NT
|next_route=5
| next_route = 5
| photo = Ingraham Trail in Autumn 01.jpg
}}
}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
[[Image:Ingraham Trail.JPG|thumb|250px|Sign on the trail]]
[[Image:Ingraham Trail.JPG|thumb|Sign on the trail]]


'''Highway 4''', known more commonly as the '''Ingraham Trail''', extends from [[Yellowknife]], [[Northwest Territories]] to [[Tibbitt Lake]], approximately {{convert|70|km|abbr=on}} east of Yellowknife. It was built in the mid-1960s as the first leg of a 'road to resources' into the interior of the [[Arctic]], stopping far short of its ultimate goal.
The '''Ingraham Trail''', officially '''Northwest Territories Highway 4''', extends from [[Yellowknife]], [[Northwest Territories]] to [[Tibbitt Lake]], approximately {{convert|70|km|abbr=on}} east of Yellowknife. It was built in the mid-1960s as the first leg of a 'road to resources' with the original intention of encircling [[Great Slave Lake]].


The highway is designated as a northern/remote route of Canada's [[National Highway System (Canada)|National Highway System]].
⚫
Although the highway serves primarily recreational activities and area residences in this lake-dotted country it is, after the ice break-up on [[Great Slave Lake]], the only access to [[Dettah, Northwest Territories|Dettah]] from Yellowknife. The small [[Dene]] community is about {{convert|6.5|km|abbr=on}} from Yellowknife by [[ice road]] in winter or {{convert|27|km|abbr=on}} using the Ingraham Trail.


The Ingraham Trail serves as both an industrial and recreational highway. In February and March each year, the trail is the initial section of the [[Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road]] to three diamond mines located {{convert|300|km|abbr=on}} northeast of Yellowknife. The trail is also known as Yellowknife's cottage country, with the bulk of seasonal and year-round cabins located between Cassidy Point and Prelude Lake Territorial Park. During the winter road program, [[B-train]] tractor trailers travel the road, four loads every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day.
⚫
For about a month in late winter, a [[winter road]] to [[Lac de Gras]] is opened to trucking of mining supplies, the junction being along the Ingraham Trail. The road has taken a beating from the heavy trucks. This is shown on the first season of the American reality television series, ''[[Ice Road Truckers]]'', which airs on [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History]]. The [[Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road]] also extends from the end of the Ingraham Trail to [[Contwoyto Lake]] in [[Nunavut]], forming Nunavut's only connection to the road network in the rest of Canada.

⚫
Although it serves primarily recreational activities and area residences in this lake-dotted country, after the ice break-up on [[Great Slave Lake]], the highway is the only access to [[Dettah]] from Yellowknife. The small [[Dene]] community is about {{convert|6.5|km|abbr=on}} from Yellowknife by [[ice road]] in winter or {{convert|27|km|abbr=on}} using the Ingraham Trail.

⚫
For about a month in late winter, a [[winter road]] to [[Lac de Gras]] is opened to trucking of mining supplies, the junction being along the Ingraham Trail. The road condition has suffered due to its frequent use by heavy trucks. This is shown on the first season of the American reality television series, ''[[Ice Road Truckers]]'', which aired on [[History (U.S. TV network)|History]]. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road also extends from the end of the Ingraham Trail to [[Contwoyto Lake]] in [[Nunavut]], forming Nunavut's only connection to the road network in the rest of Canada.


The Ingraham Trail is named after Vic Ingraham, a pioneer Yellowknife businessman of the 1930s–40s.
The Ingraham Trail is named after Vic Ingraham, a pioneer Yellowknife businessman of the 1930s–40s.


Yellowknife has experienced an [[aurora|aurora borealis]] tourism boom the last few years and the Ingraham Trail is the prime viewing location. It is common to come across aurora rush after midnight during the peak aurora season, November to March.<ref>[https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/best-spots-view-aurora-ingraham-trail The Best Spots to View the Aurora on the Ingraham Trail]</ref>
==Ingraham Trail details==
⚫
[[File:Yellowknife River flowing under bridge.JPG|thumb|250px|Ingraham Trail crossing the [[Yellowknife River]]]]
Since January 2014, the road bypasses [[Giant Mine]] through a realignment that originates off Highway 3, approximately two kilometres from the Old Airport turnoff. At {{Convert|9.1|km|abbr=on}} the road crosses the [[Yellowknife River]] followed by the Dettah turnoff at {{Convert|11.5|km|abbr=on}}. After this the road passes several lakes including [[Prosperous Lake|Prosperous]] ({{Convert|20.7|km|abbr=on}}), [[Pontoon Lake|Pontoon]] ({{Convert|27.7|km|abbr=on}}) and [[Prelude Lake|Prelude]] ({{Convert|29.2|km|abbr=on}}, which is followed by [[Cameron Falls]] ({{Convert|46.6|km|abbr=on}}). The road then passes [[Reid Lake|Reid]] ({{Convert|58.9|km|abbr=on}}) and [[Hidden Lake (Northwest Territories)|Hidden]] ({{Convert|60.5|km|abbr=on}}) before reaching Tibbitt Lake ({{Convert|68.7|km|abbr=on}}).<ref>[http://www.theedge.ca/arden/Ingraham150dpi.jpg The Ingraham Trail] map</ref>


==Details==
⚫
The trail, which was paved as far as Prelude Lake, was [[chipseal]]ed to Reid Lake in the fall of 2009, leaving the last {{Convert|10|km|abbr=on}} as gravel.
⚫
[[File:Yellowknife River flowing under bridge.JPG|thumb|Ingraham Trail crossing the [[Yellowknife River]]]]
[[File:IngrahamTrailEnd-DSC00733.jpg|thumb|End of the Ingraham Trail at Tibbitt Lake]]
Since January 2014, the road bypasses [[Giant Mine]] through a realignment that originates off Highway 3, approximately {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}} from the Old Airport Road turnoff.<ref>[https://norj.ca/2014/02/ingraham-trail-bypass-open-in-time-for-mine-traffic/ Ingraham Trail bypass opens in time for mine traffic]</ref> At {{Convert|7.6|km|abbr=on}} the road crosses the [[Yellowknife River]] followed by the Dettah turnoff at {{Convert|9.8|km|abbr=on}}. After this the road passes several territorial parks:<ref>[https://nwtparks.ca/explore/ingraham-trail Ingraham Trail] at Northwest Territories Parks</ref>

* [[Yellowknife River Territorial Park]] ({{Convert|7.7|km|abbr=on|}})
* [[Dettah]] turnoff ({{Convert|9.8|km|abbr=on}})
* [[Prosperous Lake Territorial Park]] ({{Convert|19.7|km|abbr=on}})
* [[Madeline Lake Territorial Park]] ({{Convert|24|km|abbr=on|}})
* [[Pontoon Lake Territorial Park]] ({{Convert|26.4|km|abbr=on}})
* [[Prelude Lake Territorial Park]] ({{Convert|28|km|abbr=on}}
* [[Hidden Lake Territorial Park]] ({{Convert|44|km|abbr=on}})
* [[Powder Point Day Use Area]] {{Convert|44|km|abbr=on}})
* [[Cameron River Falls Day Use Area/Hiking Trail Access]] ({{Convert|45.8|km|abbr=on}})
* [[Cameron River Crossing]] ({{Convert|54.5|km|abbr=on}})
* [[Reid Lake Territorial Park]] ({{Convert|59|km|abbr=on|}})

before reaching [[Tibbitt Lake]] ({{Convert|69.2|km|abbr=on|}}).

⚫
The trail is [[chipseal]]ed to Reid Lake, leaving the last {{Convert|10|km|abbr=on}} as gravel.


==References==
==References==
Line 43: Line 67:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.pwnhc.ca/timeline/index_winIFix.asp?forward=http%3A//www.pwnhc.ca/timeline/1925/1934_Ingraham.htm 1934 Vic Ingraham and Speed II] NWT Historical Timeline, [[Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre]]
*[http://www.nwttimeline.ca/1925/1934_Ingraham.htm 1934 Vic Ingraham and Speed II] NWT Historical Timeline, [[Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre]]
*[http://www.ykscouts.ca/ScoutProperties/IngrahamTrailHistory/tabid/74/Default.aspx Ingraham Trail History]


{{NT Roads}}
{{NT Roads}}


[[Category:Roads in the Northwest Territories]]
[[Category:Northwest Territories territorial highways]]
[[Category:Gravel roads]]

{{NorthwestTerritories-stub}}
{{Canada-road-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:02, 5 January 2025

Ingraham Trail marker
Ingraham Trail
Northwest Territories Highway 4
Ingraham Trail in Autumn 01.jpg
Route information
Maintained by Department of Transportation
Length69.2 km (43.0 mi)
Major junctions
West end Highway 3 (Yellowknife Highway) in Yellowknife
East endTibbitt Lake
Location
CountryCanada
TerritoryNorthwest Territories
Highway system
← Highway 3→ Highway 5

Sign on the trail

The Ingraham Trail, officially Northwest Territories Highway 4, extends from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to Tibbitt Lake, approximately 70 km (43 mi) east of Yellowknife. It was built in the mid-1960s as the first leg of a 'road to resources' with the original intention of encircling Great Slave Lake.

The highway is designated as a northern/remote route of Canada's National Highway System.

The Ingraham Trail serves as both an industrial and recreational highway. In February and March each year, the trail is the initial section of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road to three diamond mines located 300 km (190 mi) northeast of Yellowknife. The trail is also known as Yellowknife's cottage country, with the bulk of seasonal and year-round cabins located between Cassidy Point and Prelude Lake Territorial Park. During the winter road program, B-train tractor trailers travel the road, four loads every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day.

Although it serves primarily recreational activities and area residences in this lake-dotted country, after the ice break-up on Great Slave Lake, the highway is the only access to Dettah from Yellowknife. The small Dene community is about 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from Yellowknife by ice road in winter or 27 km (17 mi) using the Ingraham Trail.

For about a month in late winter, a winter road to Lac de Gras is opened to trucking of mining supplies, the junction being along the Ingraham Trail. The road condition has suffered due to its frequent use by heavy trucks. This is shown on the first season of the American reality television series, Ice Road Truckers, which aired on History. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road also extends from the end of the Ingraham Trail to Contwoyto Lake in Nunavut, forming Nunavut's only connection to the road network in the rest of Canada.

The Ingraham Trail is named after Vic Ingraham, a pioneer Yellowknife businessman of the 1930s–40s.

Yellowknife has experienced an aurora borealis tourism boom the last few years and the Ingraham Trail is the prime viewing location. It is common to come across aurora rush after midnight during the peak aurora season, November to March.[1]

Details

[edit]
Ingraham Trail crossing the Yellowknife River
End of the Ingraham Trail at Tibbitt Lake

Since January 2014, the road bypasses Giant Mine through a realignment that originates off Highway 3, approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) from the Old Airport Road turnoff.[2] At 7.6 km (4.7 mi) the road crosses the Yellowknife River followed by the Dettah turnoff at 9.8 km (6.1 mi). After this the road passes several territorial parks:[3]

before reaching Tibbitt Lake (69.2 km (43.0 mi)).

The trail is chipsealed to Reid Lake, leaving the last 10 km (6.2 mi) as gravel.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Best Spots to View the Aurora on the Ingraham Trail
  2. ^ Ingraham Trail bypass opens in time for mine traffic
  3. ^ Ingraham Trail at Northwest Territories Parks
[edit]
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