nature, Photography

Prosperous Lake Park

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Under sunny skies on the weekend, M and I went to Prosperous Lake Park just outside of Yellowknife.

Prosperous Lake Territorial Park

We crossed the lake itself via a very busy ice road, a total of 14 km.

Tire tracks on the frozen lake surface.

There was an ice fishing derby going on, which is why it was so busy. People were fishing, yes, but there were lots of snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Dogs and kids were running around and chasing each other, very much enjoying the bright sun and warmer temperatures.

Want to see an ice road?

Here’s a short clip of our trip across the lake.

It was a great day; sunny, warmer, windless. We returned home very happy after all the fresh air and bright light.

Happy mid-week. 🙂

20 thoughts on “Prosperous Lake Park”

    1. It’s really a normal part of living in the north, although I’m sure it sounds pretty crazy. These roads are carefully monitored and maintained by the highways department, so they are very safe. Fully loaded transport trucks cross these lakes; in fact, some of the lakes are frozen almost to the bottom – the ice depth is regularly checked. The idea of ice roads makes me think of the old adage about making lemonade out of life’s lemons. Work with the tools you have. 😉

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      1. Great way to look at it, Lynette. But to those of us in milder climes, it still looks crazy! There is just something about placing a very heavy object on what we see here as a generally unstable surface. Of course, your temperatures ensure it’s safe; for us, however, the mere sight is alarming!

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        1. Yes, I understand. In more southern climes, we are always cautioned about stepping on ice (I was given the same cautions when I was growing up). Most of us just don’t experience a place where it gets cold enough to have this be a normal thing. In southern Canada, I would never, never do this.

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    1. Up here it’s safe. Given that the temperatures can go down to -50C in this area, a lake is going to be frozen very deeply. These lakes don’t have strong river currents flowing through them either, so that makes them even more stable, and they are regularly checked by the highways dept. Driving on a frozen lake is a very smooth ride – very few lumps or bumps!

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  4. So good to get outside and the blue skies certainly helped. Driving on an ice road is a true slice of Canadian North. Thanks for sharing Lynette. Hope you are having a good week. Allan

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      1. It was a long time ago but it was one of those very frightening experiences that you don’t forget. I like how you described the checking of the ice thickness. That sounds like a very good safety feature.

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        1. Yes, I think I understand. I was badly scared by a clown when I was a child and have had an aversion to them ever since (even though I know it’s an illogical fear, they still cause discomfort). Sometimes, that imprint becomes part of who you are.

          Yes, ice road lakes are frequently checked for ice depth. If those giant transport trucks can use them, that water is frozen very solidly!

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          1. Unfortunately that’s the excuse my brother used before he drove on the ice with us in the car. “Oh, the big truckers drive safely on it so I guess we can too,” Trouble is, it was the wrong time of year to be doing that, and the Peace River is a bit riskier for ice depth in the spring than a way-up-north lake would be. I didn’t see any big trucks and I didn’t see anyone checking the ice. So, Lynette, imagine you and me driving across thin ice in a little car with a clown in the back seat. That should just about have us both in the loony bin. LOL

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