Sights

INTO THE WILD

EDITOR’S PICK

Jasper has a vast ecosystem of creatures who call these mountain ranges home. From bears to elk, moose, mountain goats and bighorn sheep, there is no shortage of wildlife in the park! Get a chance to see these animals safely and learn about their behaviours, habitat and what you can do during your vacation to increase the sustainability of their environment. Take a Wildlife Tour from Sundog Tours (p 87) or Maligne Adventures (p 86) and learn from friendly, professional guides. These tours are the best way to safely get those iconic mountain wildlife shots! For the best chance at seeing wildlife on your tour, try an early morning departure. -KATE BARKER

FLY IN THE SKY

See the best of Jasper with a heli-hike! Combine a helicopter tour with a bird’s eye view of the mountains and a spectacular hike in some unique and seldom accessed terrain. Try a heliadventure with Rockies Heli Canada (p 82). Enjoy years of experience and a passion for the outdoors with Hiking with Claire (p 86). Claire gears all hikes to the skills of her guests, ensuring safety with the right balance of challenge and fun! -KB

TAKE A DIP

While Jasper's glacial lakes don't immediately invite the idea of swimming, there are a few warm spots to cool off during the summer months! Lake Edith has a sandy beach with mountain views, while Patricia Lake has a secluded feel surrounded by pines and aspens. Lake Annette is a popular spot with fire pits, picnic tables and a paved path that surrounds the lake. It's the perfect spot to bring the whole family! -TJ

DRIVING TOURS

ICEFIELDS PARKWAY 105 km/65 mi journey to the Columbia Icefield and Sunwapta Pass. One of the world’s most spectacular drives with stunning mountain scenery and abundant wildlife, including bighorn sheep and elusive mountain goats.

Follow Connaught Dr west out of town. Across Hwy 16, the road becomes The Icefields Parkway/Hwy 93N.

Turn right onto Hwy 93A and take a 14.5 km/9 mi detour on Cavell Rd to Mt Edith Cavell. This mountain was known to the First Nations explorers as "White Ghost" for its snowy peak. The mountain’s European name honours a WWI British nurse executed for helping prisoners of war escape German-occupied Belgium. Walk the 1.6 km/1 mi Path of the Glacier interpretative trail for a close-up view of Angel Glacier.

At Athabasca Falls, 31 km/19 mi, Hwy 93A rejoins the Icefields Parkway. The Athabasca River is forced through a narrow canyon and over a cliff. There are picnic sites and a 20 min interpretive trail.

Goat Lookout, 37 km/23.3 mi, is a picnic site with a view of the Athabasca River Valley where natural salt licks attract mountain goats.

Sunwapta Falls, 53 km/33 mi, has a footbridge that privedes the best view and a trail downstream along the canyon rim.

As the highway starts to climb south of Beauty Flats, a pullout on the right provides a photogenic view of Stutfield Glacier, 94 km/59 mi, spilling over the mountian's ridge. Tangle Creek tumbles down a limestone wall at Tangle Falls, 96 km/60 mi.

The Columbia Icefield, 103 km/64 mi, is one of the largest accumulations of glacial ice south of the Arctic. It covers 215 sq km/83 sq mi and is up to 250 m/800 ft deep. Its meltwaters flow west to the Pacific, north to the Arctic, and east to Hudson’s Bay and the Atlantic. This hydrological apex is one of two in the world; the other is in Siberia.

TRAILBLAZING GUIDES

Sisters Agnes and Mona Harrigan were the first women guides in a Canadian National Park. They loved horses and the outdoors, but were always told, “We don’t hire women as guides.” In 1917, they accepted a job looking after a backcountry camp and cooking for guests. They did extra chores, such as wrangling horses at 3am and packing. They were offered the same job the following year, but they turned it down, saying they wouldn’t come back if they couldn’t guide. They got their own trip. Learn about these sisters and more at the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives (p 84). -KB

Six major glaciers flow from the icefield. At the Athabasca Glacier (p 81), visitors can walk to the glacier toe or take a guided icewalk to learn about the importance of glaciers in the ecosystem. Rockies Heli Canada (p 82) offers Icefield tours from its heliport, outside of the park off Hwy 11.

Across the road, the Glacier Discovery Centre offers lodging, dining and a gift shop. Hop the shuttle to the Glacier Skywalk (p 82), for a thrilling and informative stroll.

Sunwapta Pass, 107 km/66.5 mi, is where Jasper National Park ends and Banff National Park begins. It is 122 km/76 mi farther to Lake Louise, details in Banff Sightseeing, p 24.

JASPER TO MOUNT ROBSON The 90 km/56 mi drive to the Mount Robson Visitor Centre takes travellers to Mount Robson Provincial Park, a 215,000 ha/830 sq mi mountain showcase named after the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. From Jasper, take Yellowhead Hwy 16 west, 30 km/19 mi, to Yellowhead Pass atop the Continental Divide. Beyond is the Portal Lake picnic site.

Soon after crossing into British Columbia you reach Yellowhead Lake. The highway crosses the upper Fraser River which eventually becomes one of Canada’s major waterways, draining 25% of the province west to the Pacific Ocean.

At the Moose Lake pull-out, waterfalls create a photogenic backdrop and the surrounding marsh is prime wildlife habitat. Take a short stroll up the road to Overlander Falls.

At Mount Robson, find information, a restaurant and shop. The peak rises to 3954 m/12,970 ft across a flower filled meadow. It's the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

It's 32 km/20 mi farther to the town of Valemont. Before turning left onto Hwy 5, visit scenic Reargard Falls. During Aug and Sept, Chinook salmon travel 1200 km/746 mi upriver from the ocean to reach this spot.

UNDERWATER MAGIC

Medicine Lake is part of the Maligne Lake watershed, located about 20 km southeast of the townsite. In the summer, this lake is another beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by mountains. In the fall, the water level drops and the lake disappears! For a long time, it wasn’t known exactly what happened to the water in the lake. Scientists have traced the water through sinkholes in the bottom of the lake that lead through a cave system and resurface about 16 km downstream. Visit this beautiful lake and learn more about the phenomenon through the interpretative signage. -TAYLOR JAINE

MALIGNE LAKE ROAD 48 km/30 mi route to Maligne Lake is popular for its beauty and wildlife. Elk and bighorn sheep often graze roadside. Please stay in your vehicle when viewing wildlife.

From town, take Yellowhead Hwy 16 east for 2 km/1.2 mi. Turn right at Maligne Rd, cross the Athabasca River and pass Lodge Rd, which leads to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (p 82). Walk or bike the 1.5 km/0.9 mi loop around Lac Beauvert. Rent a boat, ride a horse (p 84) or enjoy a drink on the terrace with a sublime view. 55 m/180 ft deep chasm or take a guided hike (p 87) to learn about the area, its unique geology and its history in Jasper National Park.

Medicine Lake, 32 km/19 mi, is a pullout with Maligne Range views and signs describing how the lake seasonally disappears.

The road ends at Maligne Lake, the largest naturally formed glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy walking, boating, fishing, dining and shopping, or take a cruise to Spirit Island (p 81).

Return to Maligne Lake Rd and stop at Lake Annette. Walk the gentle lakeside path, have a picnic or enjoy the beach.

Turn right at Maligne Canyon and stop at the 6th Bridge picnic site where the Miette and Athabasca rivers meet. Pull in for a snack at Pursuit's Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen (p 92). Take a walk along the interpretive trail with six footbridges to see the PYRAMID LAKE ROAD 7.5 km/4.7 mi scenic drive to a popular area for swimming and sightseeing. Turn left off Connaught Dr onto Pyramid Lake Rd.

Cottonwood Slough, 2 km/1.2 mi, is a wetlands habitat with many different species of birds and wildlife. Access walking trails that traverse the forested Pyramid Bench. At Patricia Lake, 4.8 km/3 mi, walk the Patricia Lake Loop and read the plaque describing an experimental iceberg aircraft landing strip built during WWII.

At the end of the road is Pyramid Lake, with a beach, boat rentals, fishing and a restaurant. Reach Pyramid Island by footbridge and enjoy views of Pyramid Mountain that glows red at sunset.

HIKING & BIKING

COTTONWOOD SLOUGH is an easy 4.2 km/2.6 mi trail through a beaverdammed wetland with shorter outand-back options and chances to see wildlife including songbirds, waterfowl, osprey, eagles, beavers, otters, moose, elk and deer.

DISCOVERY TRAIL 8.3 km/5.1 mi easy townsite loop with multiple access points. The gentle south portion by the main street is flat, paved and gravelled. The north side follows the contours of Pyramid Bench. Moderate climbs lead to views of the Jasper townsite as well as the Athabasca, Miette and Maligne river valleys. "Bear head" shaped interpretive signs explain Jasper’s rich history, culture and ecology.

LAC BEAUVERT 3.9 km/2.4 mi easy trail begins at the south end of the lake near Old Fort Point. Access via Hwy 93A. Follow the lakeside trail past the golf course and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Cyclists can continue on roads or trails #7 and #4 to lakes Annette and Edith, and then Maligne Canyon.

MALIGNE CANYON 3.7 km/2.3 mi easy to moderate trail with interpretive signs and six bridges. The canyon is up to 55 m/180 ft deep. Best views are from 6th bridge walking upstream. Most park at Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen (p 92) and walk 15 min across the 1st and 2nd bridges. No bike access from 1st to 5th bridge.

MARY SCHÄFFER LOOP at Maligne Lake. 3.2 km/1.5 mi easy loop, named for the famous explorer and surveyor who mapped the lake and surrounding area. This interpretive trail follows the lakeshore by the historic Curly Phillips Boathouse, across meadows and up a treed slope. Bikes not permitted.

MIETTE HOT SPRINGS TRAIL

0.7 km/0.4 mi easy interpretive trail to old pool ruins and the source of the hot springs. 1.9 km/1.2 mi further is a stunning display of alpine wildflowers at Sulphur Pass. Sulphur Skyline is a 4 km/2.5 mi moderate to difficult trail with views at Shuay Pass and the summit. Bikes not permitted.

OLD FORT POINT 1.8 km/1.1 mi moderate trail, 1.6 km/1 mi from town via Hwy 93A. Start up the stairs and climb through aspens to two summit lookouts with amazing views. Continue past the lookouts and turn left to make a loop. Bikes not permitted.

POCAHONTAS COAL MINE TRAIL

1 to 4 km/0.6 to 2.5 mi, easy to moderate trail. Begin 42 km/26 mi east of town at Hwy 16 and Miette Rd. Interpretive trail leads through early 1900's mine ruins. The easy lower loop is paved. The upper trail has steeper sections with fantastic mountain views.

PYRAMID TRUNK TRAIL This moderate 7.5 km/4.7 mi trail parallels Pyramid Lake Rd and steadily rises to Pyramid Bench with great views. Begin behind the Jasper Yellowhead Museum (p 84) and end at Pyramid Lake.

SKYLINE TRAIL 44 km/27 mi moderate two-day backpacking trail, mostly above treeline. Stay midway at Shovel Pass Lodge, 1-877-852-7787. Park across the road from Maligne Canyon and take the Maligne Valley Hiker's Shuttle (p 86) to the trailhead for the easiest access. Bikes not permitted.

THE OVERLANDER 15 km/9 mi moderate trail, good for mountain biking. Follow the route used by gold seekers in 1862. Start at the 6th Bridge and follow the roadless side of the Athabasca River to Cold Sulphur Spring. Return the same way or take Hwy 16.

WHISTLER'S SUMMIT TRAIL AT

JASPER SKYTRAM 1.4 km/0.9 mi easy to moderate trail beginning from the Jasper SkyTram (p 86) upper station. Take the boardwalk and ensuing trail to the top of Whistlers Mountain. Enjoy the vistas at 2,463 m/8081 ft with a 360° view of six mountain ranges.

SKY'S THE LIMIT

Backcountry hiking is becoming more popular during the summer months. The Skyline Trail (left) is a moderate, two- or three-day trail that’s an excellent starting point for new backcountry hikers or families with older children. Most of the trail is above treeline, offering spectacular views and everything you’d want in an overnight adventure. Camp at one of six registered campgrounds en route or stay at the historic Shovel Pass Lodge, which also offers packhorse assisted camping. Take the Maligne Valley hiker's Shuttle (p 86) to the trailhead and arrive at your vehicle after your adventure. -KB

PICNIC SITES

LAKE ANNETTE Offering a playground and a beach with shallow water, which is occasionally warm enough for swimming during the summer. A trail with scenic views rings the lake.

PYRAMID ISLAND A footbridge leads to lakeshore picnic sites, fire pits and interpretive signs. A beach with boat rentals are nearby. locomotive 6015 and a Haida-carved totem pole out front. The totem pole tells the story of two brothers who visit the mountains. One returns home while one stays behind.

Follow the 8.3 km/5.1 mi Discovery Trail. The trail’s three sections have signs interpreting railway history to the SW, peaks and people to the NW, and nature on the other side of town.

SIXTH BRIDGE A quiet forested spot where the Maligne and Athabasca rivers meet. Walk or bike the Overlander Trail (left) or follow the Maligne River to 5th Bridge and the canyon beyond.

TOWNSITE WALK

After visiting the Jasper Information Centre, cross Miette Ave to see the Den Wildlife Museum (p 82) in the lower level of the Whistler’s Inn.

Cross Connaught Dr to the Jasper Heritage Railway Station, a working railway station with a 1923 CNR steam Head back downtown to see the Old Firehall, across Patricia St from the visitor centre. Continue past the Jasper Activity Centre and turn left onto Bonhomme St. Visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum (p 84) with exhibits on the town and park history.

Across the street is the Jasper Fitness & Aquatic Centre (p 87). Go left at Elm Ave to the Library & Cultural Centre and visit the Jasper Artists Guild Gallery (p 84). Return to Patricia St and Connaught Dr for the best in shopping, dining and pubs.