Jasper National Park

Bull Elk off Hwy 16 just east of Jasper

We really liked Jasper, both the park and the town.  The town of Jasper is much less touristy than Banff (but still.touristy).  We spent two night camping right on Honeymoon Lake, a primitive campground. We also spent at a night at mega-campground Whistlers right outside of Jasper. We spent the days touring around.  We hiked the Sulphur Skyline trail, and enjoyed a spa before AND after the hike at Miette Hot Springs. We drove the scenic Maligne Valley Rd, hiked along the Maligne River and Maligne Lake, and saw a grizzly right off of Hwy 93 near the Whistlers Campground entrance.

 

Honeymoon Lake

Of course we stayed here 2 nights --
it was our honeymoon!

The Honeymoon Lake mosquitoes drove this Honeymooner into her tent.

At Miette Hot Springs, a short walk along Sulphur Creek leads past the old spa and to the spring itself.  The water is pumped to the spa and cooled. 

A peaceful panorama of peaks and valleys surrounds the spa.

The Old Spa, located right next to Sulphur Creek near the hot spring.

The HOT Spring:.  129 degree F water gushes out of the mountain and into Sulphur Creek

A haze and the smell of sulphur fills the air as you approach the spring.

 We hiked the Sulpher Skyline trail for which a trail head is right near the entrance to the spa. The trail is about 10K out-and-back and gains over 2000 ft in elevation. The views from the top were spectacular and one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Sulphur Skyline

What a great place!

The trail above tree-line

Miette Hot Springs complex is visible from Sulphur Skyline. Can you see it far below?

We enjoyed a day exploring the Maligne River and Maligne Lake. According to an Alberta Geologic Survey report, "Nowhere in Jasper Park is the array of geological features so vividly displayed as in Maligne Lake Valley and in the lower part of the Maligne River Valley".  I agree!

Here the Maligne River rages in a narrow, twisting. and entrenched channel.

The trail along the Maligne R.

The Maligne Valley Rd is a prime spot for wildlife viewing.
This big horn sheep is enjoying the view of Medicine Lake.

The famed Maligne Lake is 14 miles long.

Click here to return to the blog entry Overview of Banff and Jasper Trip.

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