Sights

STARGAZING

EDITOR’S PICK

In 2011, Jasper National Park received a Dark Sky Preserve designation from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. It is the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, with over 11,000 square kilometres for stargazing. With that much space, where is the best place to go? Pyramid Lake Island has a great vantage point to look at the stars. Surrounded by the water, this accessible island is just outside of Jasper for a short and rewarding trip. Lake Annette is just a few kilometers outside of town. It provides a secluded place to admire the night sky. Maligne Canyon is popular for icewalks during the winter, but at night, it provides a special getaway to gaze at the stars. -TAYLOR JAINE

MAJESTIC MALIGNE

Maligne Canyon, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, was carved by water through limestone. Some geologists think the canyon was originally a cave that had the top scraped off by receding glaciers. This is because Maligne Canyon is narrow at the top and wider part way down. Discover more about this geological wonder from Sundog Tours (p 75) or Walks & Talks Jasper (p 77). -KATE BARKER

TWO BROTHERS

Jasper’s Raven Totem Pole, commissioned by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, looked over the Jasper railway station for 94 years. It was taken down in 2009 because of structural damage. Haida brothers Jaalen and Gwaai Edenshaw carved the new totem, called Two Brothers. The pole tells the story of two brothers who travel from the coast to the Canadian Rockies where one stays and one returns home. -TJ

DRIVING TOURS

ICEFIELDS PARKWAY The journey to the Columbia Icefield and Sunwapta Pass, 105 km/65 mi, is one of the world’s most spectacular drives. Follow Connaught Dr west past Hwy 16, where the road becomes the Icefields Parkway, Hwy 93.

At Athabasca Falls, 30 km/19 mi, the river flows through a narrow canyon and over a cliff. Walk the short interpretive trail.

7 km/4.3 mi farther is Goat Lookout with views of Mt Kerkeslin. Here, natural salt attracts mountain goats. Continue to Sunwapta Falls, 54 km/33 mi, where a footbridge provides the best view.

As the highway climbs, a pullout provides a view of frozen Tangle Falls, 96 km/60 mi, where Tangle Creek tumbles down a limestone wall. Bighorn sheep often herd where the road crests. Across the valley Stutfield Glacier spills over the mountain’s ridge.

Next stop is the Columbia Icefield, 103 km/64 mi, one of the largest accumulations of ice south of the Arctic. It's 215 sq km/ 83 sq mi and up to 365 m/1200 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. Six major glaciers flow from the Icefield. At the Athabasca Glacier, you can walk to the glacier toe.

4 km/2.5 mi south of the Icefield is Sunwapta Pass. Here, Jasper National Park ends and Banff National Park begins. It's 122 km/76 mi farther to Lake Louise (route description p 27).

MALIGNE LAKE ROAD 48 km/30 mi from Jasper to Maligne Lake, popular for its beauty and wildlife. From town, drive 2 km/1.2 mi east on Yellowhead Hwy 16. Turn right at Maligne Rd. Across the Athabasca River, turn right on Lodge Rd toward Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Stroll the 3.4 km/2.1 mi loop around Lac Beauvert, go ice skating or enjoy a drink in the lounge with sublime view. Return to Maligne Lake Rd and turn right.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Mount Edith Cavell was named in 1916 after a nurse who was executed for helping allied forces cross into neutral territory during World War I. Before the war, the mountain was called White Ghost by the First Nations and La Montagne de la Grande Traverse by French mountaineers. It was also called Mount Fitzhugh, after a director of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. -KATE BARKER

At Maligne Canyon Fifth Bridge the famous icewalk begins. Rent ice cleats or take a guided tour. An interpretive trail parallels the canyon rim.

The road runs alongside Medicine Lake, 27 km/16.7 mi from town. Pullouts with Maligne Range views have signs describing the lake that seasonally "disappears".

The road ends at mountain-ringed Maligne Lake, the largest glacier-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

PYRAMID LAKE ROAD Turn left off Connaught Dr onto Pyramid Lake Rd. 2 km/1.2 mi past Bonhomme St is Cottonwood Slough wetlands, with access to trails on Pyramid Bench. At 4.8 km/3 mi is Patricia Lake. Walk along the lakeshore and learn about the experimental iceberg aircraft landing strip built here in WWII.

The road ends at Pyramid Lake, with snowshoeing terrain, cross-country ski trails and lakeside dining at The Pines. Reach tranquil Pyramid Island by footbridge. Enjoy the stellar views of aptly named Pyramid Mountain and spend the evening gazing at the night sky in Jasper’s Dark Sky Preserve.

TOWNSITE WALK

JASPER TOWNSITE TOUR From the Jasper Information Centre, a designated historic site, cross Miette Ave to see Whistler’s Inn Den Wildlife Museum. Cross Connaught Dr to the Jasper Heritage Railway Station, a working station with a 1923 CNR steam locomotive 6015 and Haida carved totem pole. Then, follow the Discovery Trail circling the town. The 8.3 km/5.1 mi loop has three sections with signs interpreting railway history, peaks, people and nature.

Downtown is the Old Firehall, across Patricia St from the visitor centre. North on Patricia St and left on Pyramid Lake Rd is the charming wood, red brick and stone Jasper Lutheran Church, the town’s oldest.

Continue past the Jasper Activity Centre and turn left onto Bonhomme St where you'll find the Jasper Fitness & Aquatic Centre and Jasper-Yellowhead Museum with exhibits on the fur trade, mountaineering and park history.

Go left at Elm Ave to the Library & Cultural Centre, which hosts regular events and an art gallery. Return to Patricia St and Connaught Dr for downtown shopping and dining.