Jasper is set within Jasper National Park. Very popular now, it was only explored and started to become known as a destination from about 1908.
We collected pasties from the bakery, got park passes and collected our hire car. We also hired a smart little unit that senses where you are and offers commentary as you go.
We decided to head for Maligne Lake, 40 km from Jasper. On the way you come to Maligne Canyon, a deep (50m) and very narrow (a few metres) gorge cut by the Maligne River. It's all a bit strange, as more water flow out of the canyon than flows in - other water has seeped through underground caverns to add to the volume.
Further on, you come to Medicine Lake. This seems quite large, but it is full in summer and dries up as winter comes. In fact, water from the lake is seeping into the underground stream system and coming out at Maligne Canyon and elsewhere. Inflows in summer are more than the seepage through many small sinkholes, so the lake fills. As the inflows decrease towards winter, the lake empties.
Further on, we came to Maligne Lake. This large lake (22km long) is fed by glacial streams, so is very cold. We took a cruise. The blue lake is surrounded by peaks, which crowd in t0wards the further end. There you disembark, so that everyone can furiously photograph a small pine-covered island (Spirit Island) with a view to the surrounding peaks and glaciers (called the Hall of the Gods). Certainly hyped, but also a great view.
Coming back, we called into Jasper Park lodge just before getting back to Jasper to see how the wealthy enjoy the area. This is a Fairmont hotel, set around a couple of small lakes, with an attached golf course. The whole style is of lots of small cabins around a "hunting lodge". It was actually quite attractive and we enjoyed an drink looking over the lake.
On the way out, we saw a bull moose and a female and calf getting away from the bull. We also quickly glimpsed a deer in the trees, so we saw some wildlife for the day.
Our accommodation has a good deck, so we got the necessary provisions and had a meal on the patio.
We collected pasties from the bakery, got park passes and collected our hire car. We also hired a smart little unit that senses where you are and offers commentary as you go.
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| At Maligne Canyon |
Further on, you come to Medicine Lake. This seems quite large, but it is full in summer and dries up as winter comes. In fact, water from the lake is seeping into the underground stream system and coming out at Maligne Canyon and elsewhere. Inflows in summer are more than the seepage through many small sinkholes, so the lake fills. As the inflows decrease towards winter, the lake empties.
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| Spirit Island on Maligne Lake |
Coming back, we called into Jasper Park lodge just before getting back to Jasper to see how the wealthy enjoy the area. This is a Fairmont hotel, set around a couple of small lakes, with an attached golf course. The whole style is of lots of small cabins around a "hunting lodge". It was actually quite attractive and we enjoyed an drink looking over the lake.
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| Bull Elk |
Our accommodation has a good deck, so we got the necessary provisions and had a meal on the patio.
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