Dean & Val's Adventures: Northwest Territories

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Northwest Territories

We are in Hay River, NWT today, which is on the southern shore of the Great Slave Lake. Tomorrow, we start our 2600 mile journey south. Our original plan was to stop at Jasper and Banff National Parks on the way south, but given the fires and smoke they are having, we decided to skip those two parks and take a more eastern route south via Edmonton and Calgary. We were at both parks last year, so skipping them this time is no big deal. This change will allow us to gain a few days, which will let us position ourselves in northern Idaho to see the Total Solar Eclipse, which will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Our time here in Northwest Territories has been nice, with lots of interesting sites, except it has been very warm (near 90!) and the bugs are totally unbelievable. Everyone says Alaska has the biggest and meanest mosquito but I think distinction should go to NWT. At certain times of the day they will form big swarms around you, and it just about drives you crazy. Actually, we had to break out the mosquito nets we bought for Alaska but never used - until now.

We visited one of the local grocery stores here in Hay River to get a few supplies and were once again shocked at the prices. Not sure how people here do it. In general, prices are between 2 and 3 times what they are at home. On top of that, they have an environmental fee on milk plus a deposit on containers and then they top it all off with a 25 cent charge for each bag they use. Gas prices have ranged anywhere from .74 per liter to 1.23 per liter which is between $2.79/gal and $4.65/gal. Not great but better than the $7/gal we have seen on previous trips.

Just crossed the 60th Parallel and entered Northwest Territories

Lady Evelyn Falls

A steep trail leads down to the bottom of the falls. The roar of the water and the water spray were awesome.

Water looks so calm right before it goes over the edge.

Alexandra Falls

There was a trail leading to the top of the falls where you could get right up to the edge. The power of the water going over the edge was awesome. Wouldn’t want to make a mis-step here or it would be a wild ride down!

Louise Falls

This is a 138 step spiral strair case leading down to a lower viewing area.

The Deh-Cho bridge across the mighty Mackenzie River. The Mackenzie River is a major shipping channel from the end of the rail at Hay River NWT to the northern villages and on to the Arctic Ocean. Up until a few years ago the crossing was via ferry in the summer, and an ice road in the winter.

Sunset over the Mackenzie River

An owl watches over our campsite as we pull into Lady Evelyn Falls Territorial Park. When we first pulled in there were three owls on the picnic table. All through the night they were flying among the trees near our campsite.

Was out biking one of the wilderness trails and came across this nice pile of bear scat in the middle of the trail. A very good motivator to give you that extra burst of energy you need to peddle faster … especially when you realize you forgot to bring the bear spray!

Looking out over Great Slave Lake near Hay River NWT. No land in site as the far shore is approximately 100 miles away. The town of Hay River has the look and feel of a seaside fishing village.