This post details stop #4, at Jasper National Park. It’s loaded with pictures of stunning scenery and awe-inspiring natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains.
Although the weather was not always picture perfect, I managed to capture a lot of the surrounding beauty. The cameras stayed warm on this stop!
We didn’t waste any time upon our arrival in Jasper, immediately hitting the visitor center to get the scoop on the must-do’s in the park. With only a few days here (Sept 6-10) we would be challenged to see as much of Canada’s largest National Park as possible.
Founded in 1907, it is one of only 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We could see why, as everywhere we looked there was no shortage of crystal-clear lakes, glacial rivers, amazing glaciers, cascading waterfalls, deep canyons, alpine forests and wildlife – all surrounded by towering mountains.
Foggy morning over Athabasca Valley and River
Our home base was in the heart of Jasper NP. Whistler’s Campground (Steve’s review here) was next to the town of Jasper, which is nestled in the wide Athabasca Valley.
The town of Jasper is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks
Main drag in Jasper
A landmark in town stood near the railway station
Two Brothers Totem Pole- tells the story of a journey long ago of an unusual connection between the west coast islands of Haida Gwaii and the Rocky Mountains
Betsy was snuggled in among the pine trees in an electric-only site
This bull elk was a daily guest at the campground, as he kept an eye on his harem
We wanted to experience the beauty of Jasper NP on foot, as there are more than 615 miles of hiking trails of various difficulty to choose from. But we were here during berry season, and the lady at the VC marked several trails as closed due to heavy bear activity.
On most days the sun was hiding behind the clouds and morning temps were in the 30’s. We had to push ourselves hard to get out and hike in those chilly conditions, but we did fairly well.
That’s bear food!
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is surrounded by several towering mountain peaks, and is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. It’s a very popular spot, and bus loads of tourists were enjoying the lake view with us. But we left them behind as we followed a trail named after Mary Schaffer, who along with friends was one of the first tourists at the lake in 1908.
Turquoise colored glacial Maligne Lake
Boat tours were filled to capacity, even on dreary days
Stands of pine and spruce lined the Mary Schaffer Loop Trail
Feather mosses covered the forest floor
Brrr…I’m guessing this was some kind of a crazy ritual? It’s 35º out here!
Final look at Maligne Lake
Maligne Canyon
There are six bridges that criss-cross Maligne Canyon, and we followed the steep trail up to the fifth bridge. The canyon’s karst system is cut incredibly deep through limestone, and water tumbles through a series of falls and drops. Some geologists speculate that parts of the canyon were originally deep caves that have since been uncovered by glacial scraping and water erosion.
View from the fourth bridge
Looking down at the canyon, see the people way back there?
Medicine Lake
Along the Maligne Scenic Drive we stopped at Medicine Lake, considered a unique body of water. It’s described as such because its water vanishes and re-appears each year. In the springtime runoff fills the lake, but by September (when we were here) the continuously-dropping water level exposes the bottom.
The disappearance of the lake was a mystery until the discovery of a massive underground river system under it, which is where the water all drains.
By September a mudflat and ribbons of water are all that remain
You know a lake is shallow when a man can walk his dog all the way across it!
Pyramid Lake Island
Just a few minutes out of Jasper is a lake-dotted terrace named Pyramid Bench. The island and lake around it get their names from Pyramid Mountain, which stands nearby at 9,064′.
Pyramid Island
Clouds obstruct Pyramid Mountain
The trees have started to turn – yay!
Patricia Lake (left) and Pyramid Lake viewed from an overlook
Colorful boats at Patricia Lake
The trails here are not well marked, so Steve had to be diligent with the map
We found one of the six pairs of Red Chairs overlooking Pyramid Mountain
Mount Edith Cavell
From Pyramid Lake we drove further south to see Mount Edith Cavell, also recommended at the VC. The mountain is named after a British nurse executed during World War I for her part in helping Allied prisoners escape occupied Brussels. Getting there involved following a twisty road built in the 1930’s.
A 9-mile switchback road lead us up to the mountain
Since we had just completed a 6-mile hike at Pyramid Lake, we followed the Path of the Glacier Trail here. It’s an easy walk that took us across rocky landscape to the great north face of the mountain.
Trail through glacial debris
Interesting material along this trail
This impressive 10,826′ peak receives heavy snowfall even during the summer months. My photos can’t capture the enormity of the mountain and the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
We had lots of company here, since we arrived in the afternoon
Angel Glacier – hanging from the mountainside, it sits in a cirque between Mount Edith Cavell (left) and Mount Sorrow (right), supported (so it seems) by its “wings.”
Small but stunning opaque green Cavell Pond
Jasper SkyTram
Whistler’s Campground was only 2 miles from the Jasper Skytram, so we just had to take a ride. It whisked us up Whistler’s Mountain to an elevation of 7,472′ in 7 minutes. The payoff when we arrived was panoramic views of Jasper NP, and green valleys and mountains that stretched for miles. The town of Jasper lay below, and we caught a glimpse of our campground tucked under heavy forest nearby.
Gazing down at Athabasca River – look at that glacial water!
Look, there’s the town of Jasper!
Running along Athabasca River is the Icefield Parkway
We enjoyed the breathtaking views, then tried to rush a short hike to the summit – only to turn around halfway as ugly clouds approached, the temperature dropped and ice began pelting us.
The trail to Whistler’s Summit – we made it just up to the snow line and decided to turn around
On the way back down we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow developing over Jasper and the whole valley. It was awesome!
Somewhere under the rainbow is Steve, that little speck!
Double rainbow over Jasper
The rainbow signaled our departure back to lower elevations, but it was just the beginning of more spectacular moments to come.
Next Up: Icefield Parkway
