Description
They say that Nunavut has no roads, or road connections to the rest of the world. It's still almost true, but in the 1990s the world's longest heavy-haul ice road was built to western Nunavut by the the owners of mines near the NWT/Nunavut border. Open each February and March, the Contwoyto Road is 586km/400-mile-long, almost 90% of which travels on lakes rather than land. The road is quite busy, now attracting up to 8,000 trucks during it's 65 operating days, or around 120 trucks per day.
The author has never been on this road, but has heard that it was tough going, especially the first few years. Now the route is quite well traveled since communites were established to support the mines. Travel at night is likely unavoidable, and it is unknown if any overnight facilities are available. However, full catering is available for users of the road at Lockhart Lake and Lac de Gras camp
Getting There
The Contwoyto Road is reached just east of Yellowknife, the capital of the NorthWest Territories, approximately 1500km drive north of Edmonton. Yellowknife is reached via the Mackenzie Highway and NWT-3. NWT-3 crosses the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence via ferry or ice road, and is closed during freeze-up and thaw. A bridge will be completed later this decade.
Alternatives / Spurs
None.
Sights / Attractions
Yellowknife? Ekati.
Claims to Fame
This is the only way to drive to Nunavut.
Estimates
Roughly 6 days each way to Yellowknife from NYC. Likely 2 days from Yellowknife to the Jericho mine each way.
The trip can be done only when the winter roads are constructed and plowed, in February and March.