Saskatchewan Highway 9

U.S. border to the Trans-Canada Highway

The southern terminus of Highway 9 begins at the Northgate Border Crossing and heads north.^[15] It continues south into the U.S. state of North Dakota as Highway 8. Adjacent to, and east of, the border crossing are the border communities of Northgate, Saskatchewan and Northgate, North Dakota. The original routing of Highway 9 went through the Canadian Northgate to the border station that was between the two Northgates. The two highways were rerouted about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the west of the Northgates in 1962. Continuing north from the border crossing, Highway 9 passes by Ceres Northgate Inland Terminal^[16] and crosses the Des Lacs River. From that river crossing, the highway bends to the north-west and intersects Highway 603 at its southern terminus (this section of the 603 is known as the Elcott Road as the former community of Elcott sat at this intersection).^[17] About 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) from the Elcott Road, Highway 9 turns north-east and descends into the Souris River Valley before crossing the Souris River and climbing up the other side. Once out of the valley, Highway 9 heads north for 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) before intersecting the east–west Highway 18. After a short 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) eastward concurrency with 18, 9 resumes it northerly travels. 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) from leaving the concurrency with 18, 9 intersects Township Road 40 at the south-east corner of Alameda. Eastbound on Township 40 crosses the Grant Devine Dam and provides access to Moose Creek Regional Park while west bound accesses Alameda.^[18] Continuing north from Alameda, Highway 9 heads to Carlyle. Along this stretch of highway, 9 intersects the eastern terminus of Highway 700, has a 3.2-kilometre (2 mi) long concurrency with the east–west Highway 361, and crosses Moose Mountain Creek.

Carlyle, which is at the intersections of Highway 9 and Highway 13 (the Red Coat Trail), has been dubbed the "gateway to the Moose Mountain resorts" as it is just south of Moose Mountain Upland and the recreational amenities found there.^[19] The upland is a large, forested plateau covering an area of about 13,000 square kilometres (5,000 sq mi). Highway 9, after a short 1.8-kilometre (1.1 mi) long westbound concurrency with Highway 13, heads north over the Moose Mountain Upland. Entering the upland, Highway 9 travels through the White Bear Indian reserve and Moose Mountain Provincial Park. Communities along Highway 9 through the plateau include Carlyle Lake Resort and Kenosee Lake. Carlyle Lake Resort — the main population centre of the White Bear Indian reserve — is situated along Highway 9 and the shores of White Bear (Carlyle) Lake. Attractions at Carlyle Lake Resort include a beach, the White Bear golf course,^[20] and the Bear Claw Casino & Hotel. The village of Kenosee Lake is on the northern shore of Kenosee Lake and is surrounded by Moose Mountain Provincial Park.^[21] Access to the park and its amenities is from Highway 209. As Highway 9 heads down the northern slopes of the plateau, it is met by the east–west Highway 48. The two highways share a 13-kilometre (8.1 mi) long northbound concurrency that ends just east of the village of Kennedy. Continuing north, Highway 9 passes by Langbank and intersects Highways 709 and 703 en route to Whitewood and Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway.^[22] At the intersection of 9 and 703 is a cairn commemorating the site of the historic St. Hubert Mission.

Trans-Canada Highway to the Assiniboine River

Highway 9 crosses the Trans-Canada Highway and continues north towards the Qu'Appelle Valley. As it approaches the valley, it heads down into the Scissor Creek coulee^[23] and then climbs back up the other side. There are slow vehicle passing lanes on either side. Once the highway is out of the coulee, it travels a further 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) before descending down into the Qu'Appelle Valley. The southbound side of the highway has a slow vehicle passing lane. The valley is a large, flat bottomed valley that was carved by glaciers at the end of the last ice age. In the valley, Highway 9 crosses the Qu'Appelle River and is met by the westbound Highway 247 that provides access to Round Lake and its amenities. Farther west along Highway 247 is Crooked Lake Provincial Park.^[24] As Highway 9 begins its ascent out of the valley, it is met by the western terminus of Highway 637 and begins a northbound slow vehicle passing lane. About 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) north of the valley, Highway 9 comes to a stop sign at Highway 22 and the community of Stockholm.^[25] It then follows 22 in a west, then northbound concurrency for 18 kilometres (11 mi). The community of Dubuc and an intersection with Highway 638 are along this stretch.^[26] At the point where the concurrencies end, 22 turns west and 9 continues north to Highway 15. It crosses 15 and travels in a northerly direction past Crescent Lake, Leech Lake, and York Lake and across Crescent Creek and Yorkton Creek en route to Yorkton — the only city on Highway 9.

At the south-eastern corner of Yorkton, Highway 9 meets Highways 10 and 16 (the Yellowhead Highway) and begins a northbound concurrency with them that runs along the eastern side of the city. Highway 10 runs concurrently for 1.7 kilometres (1.1 mi) before turning east while 16 continues concurrently for a further 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) before turning west.^[27] From the initial intersection with 10 and 16, the highway is four lanes until the overpass at Darlington Street E. Leaving Yorkton after the concurrency with 16 ends at the north-eastern part of the city, Highway 9 travels in a northerly direction until it intersects Highway 49. Along this segment, Highway 9 provides access to Yorkton Regional Airport,^[28] Ebenezer,^[29] Gorlitz, Whitesand River Recreation Site, Burgis, Canora,^[30] and Crystal Lake. It also crosses the Yorkton Creek (again), Whitesand River, and the Assiniboine River. Intersected highways include 309, 650, 229, 5, and 754. Highway 229 goes west to Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park and 5 shares a 1.5-kilometre (0.93 mi) long concurrency with 9 through Canora. Also, a 2.4-kilometre (1.5 mi) long section of 9 through Canora is four lanes.

The Assiniboine River to the Manitoba border

At the intersection with Highway 49, Highways 9 and 49 begin a 20-kilometre (12 mi) concurrency that travels north-west towards Preeceville following the Assiniboine River. This section of highway provides access to the town of Sturgis and the Sturgis & District Regional Park.^[31] As the highway nears Preeceville, 9 turns north while 49 continues west into town.^[32] Highway 9 then follows the Lilian River and Via Rail's Winnipeg–Churchill railway north into the Porcupine Hills. Along the way, it provides access to Lady Lake Regional Park, passes through the community of Lady Lake, and intersects Highway 753 at Hinchliffe. The communities of Endeavour and Usherville are situated along the railway^[33] with access roads to Highway 9.

The Lilian River, with its source at Etomami Lake, is part of a natural portage through the Porcupine Hills that connects the Assiniboine watershed to the Red Deer River watershed via the Etomami River. In 1691, Hudson's Bay Company fur trader and explorer Henry Kelsey traversed it while in search of a route to the aspen parkland region.^[34] The Porcupine Hills are part of the Manitoba Escarpment and is the location of Porcupine Provincial Forest and Porcupine Hills Provincial Park.^[35]

Following the Lilian River north, Highway 9 approaches Etomami Lake passing the historical portage. Once past the lake, it then enters the Red Deer River watershed and follows the Etomami River in a northerly direction through the hills en route to the Red Deer River and the town of Hudson Bay. Coming out of the hills, it intersects Highway 983, passes through Reserve, meets the eastern terminus of Highway 23 at Bertwell, provides access to Dagg Creek Recreation Site, and intersects Highway 982. Highway 9 then crosses the Red Deer River just east of where the Etomami River joins the Red Deer River and about 4 kilometres (2 mi) south of the town of Hudson Bay. Once across the river, Highway 9 passes alongside Hudson Bay Regional Park and continues in a northerly direction skirting around the western limits of Hudson Bay. On the western side of town, Highway 9 runs as Marcotte Street and meets the east–west Highway 3. The two highways begin a 1.3-kilometre (0.81 mi) long concurrency that first continues north, then bends east around the town's northern limits as Railway Avenue. Highway 3 continues east while 9 turns north into the Pasquia Hills. The Pasquia Hills are part of the Manitoba Escarpment.

Initially continuing north alongside the Winnipeg–Churchill railway, Highway 9 turns to gravel at an intersection 7.6 kilometres (4.7 mi) north of Hudson Bay. East at that intersection goes to Ruby Lake Recreation Site. It remains a gravel highway for the next 115 kilometres (71 mi) until its northern terminus. From Ruby Lake, the highway continues north traversing the eastern slopes of the Pasquia Hills. Wildcat Hill Provincial Park is a prominent feature of the hills.^[36] Running through the hills, Highway 9 crosses several rivers, such as Overflowing River, Pasquia River, Waskwei River, and Bainbridge River. Near the north-eastern slopes, the highway provides access to Mountain Cabin Recreation Site and meets Highway 55. The two highways then run concurrently for the next 35 kilometres (22 mi) to the Manitoba border. Shortly after meeting Highway 55, Highway 9 approaches Carrot River and then follows it in a north-easterly direction. It passes through the Opaskwayak Indian reserve 27A and then continues to follow the Carrot River to the Manitoba border where it carries on as Manitoba Provincial Road 283 to The Pas, Manitoba.