Jasper

Wednesday, 18th June 2014, our first full day in Jasper we explored the town in the morning. Jasper is nestled amidst mountains and still retains a quaint ‘air’ about it. There was a huge choice of places in Connaught Drive and Patricia Street in which to dine or buy mementoes. The visitor centre was very helpful with information and answering any queries. Outside was a grassed area where yoga was taking place but we had places to go and people to see!

We drove to Pyramid Lake in the afternoon and at last had a chance to hire a canoe and go for a gentle paddle and time just looking at the spectacular scenery. We also discovered it was at this lake a secret second world project was undertaken - to build ships from ice!

   

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           Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Mountain

   
   

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   Relaxing at Pyramid Lake

   

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            Teamwork

      

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                            Bob's bow lady

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                   Marvellous Action!

Thursday 19th June 2014 we set off to visit Maligne Canyon , which is 11.5 km from Jasper. Maligne Lake, which is 48km from Jasper, is the largest lake (22km) in Jasper National Park and  the deepest ( 97m).

We passed by Medicine Lake , which is 27 km from Jasper; unusually, there is no surface outlet, the water flows underground emerging in such places as Maligne Canyon.

               
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                                       Maligne Canyon Signpost

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                                                                                  Bob's bow lady

                                                                                (Click on pictures and blue link)

                                                                                           Bob's bow lady

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                                                                                              Bob's bow lady

We stopped for lunch on the way to the Maligne Lake and discovered a marmot hiding under the car, neither of us had seen a marmot before. It was about the size of a cat with a long bushy tail. The marmot was very shy and it was impossible to take a photograph despite some gentle prodding with a stick – no we were not prodding the marmot! We wanted a) to take a picture and b) not run over him when we reversed the car.

Marmot - with thanks to animal clicks

On the way to a trail walk we came across a deer which, like most of the wildlife we saw was not that concerned with us humans. The trail turned into a wooded area and after experiencing regular bear sightings and armed only with a bear-bell we returned to the lake.

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                        Maligne Lake

On the way back to Jasper we spotted two black bears, possibly mother and youngster again very close to the road.

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                                                                                               Black bears

Friday we decided to book a raft ride on the Athabasca River and to look for a short local trail to walk later that day.

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                                                                                         Athabascar River

The tourist office suggested we forego the walk as Jasper was in a ‘bear lock down’. The official drew a circle around the town map and emphasised not to wander outside unless armed with bear spray AND know how to use it. We took his advice; we heard later that a ranger had been attacked by two grizzlies and despite making it back to her car the bears did $6000 of damage to the vehicle.

On the way to the raft egress the bus stopped in order we could see two black bears, mother and cub, walking through the tall grass just off the road.

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                            Black Bear

We were both looking forward to the rafting, one of us more than the other, but Cyndi calmed Bob down! We were informed that although we would not encounter large rapids there was a high possibility of getting wet and most of the customers donned fetching –NOT- yellow plastic macs. Bob’s description of us being ‘Team Condom’ did raise a chuckle

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                           Team Condom

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                            No Fear!    

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                            Perfectly calm

The trip was approximately 9 km long and included many class 2 white water rapids. The raft was rowed by a young blonde lad to whom the older ladies took an immediate fancy, but he took it in good stead. 

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                                                                                       Ladies eye candy!

He proved he was more than capable of steering the raft and was very knowledgeable about the area. 

Yes, we did get wet as a number of rapids were hit head on. 

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                                                                                               White water!

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                                                                                                    Moving Water   

Two young girls aged 7 and 10 were given the chance to hold the oars in the quieter stretches and steered us for the rapids every time - a great trip which both of us enjoyed!

Saturday 21st June 2014 we left Jasper, Alberta and the Rockies behind us and started our journey south heading for Sun Peaks Resort www.SunPeaksResort.com  in British Columbia