We drove north on the Icefields Parkway in cloudy, wet weather. This road was built in the 1930s as a work creation project. It is one of the world's most scenic drives. See pics of the wet drive and a bedraggled raven we met in the rain.
We stopped at Numti-Jah Lodge (Jimmy Simpson's lodge) at Bow Lake. He was a famous backwoods guide who established his lodge in a remote area. See pics below of the lodge and Gail and our Simpson friends at the bridge near Bow Lake. No relation that we are aware of.
We then stopped at Mistaya Canyon, one of the notable deep gorges which are tourist attractions in this area. See pic below of the canyon and Don by the Mistaya River.
Our next major stop was at the Columbia Icefields, where we went on an Ice Explorer Snocoach, which took us up onto the Athabasca Glacier. See pics of the Snocoach, Gail looking like an early explorer of the area, and Don and Gail walking on the glacier.
We spent three nights in Jasper, where we stayed at the Austrian Haven B&B. The Austrian woman who ran the B&B was very industrious and had personally made many furniture items in the B&B. See pics of the B&B and its back garden.
Downtown Jasper has two main streets, one of which is Patricia St - see pic below.
In the Jasper area there are many small lakes, eg see pic of Patricia Lake below.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge consists of detached buildings in log cabin style, set in a park on a lake. This is unlike the castle style of other Fairmont hotels in Canada. See pic below of a lodge building and Lac Beauvert.
Near Jasper is the Miette Hot Springs, one example of the hot springs which were an original tourist attraction of the area. They are reputed to have therapeutic powers. See pic below of customers in the hot pool.
Elk are a problem in Jasper, as they roam freely in the streets and are partial to eating the flowers in the residents' gardens. See pic of elk we met on the highway.
While in Jasper we visited the Athabasca Falls. At 23 metres they are not very high, but the great volume of the river water makes them among the most powerful falls found in the mountain national parks - see pic below.
We visited Maligne Canyon, notable for high limestone walls and waterfalls viewable from bridges. See two pics below. The name "maligne" means "wicked" in French, and arose because a travelling priest had trouble crossing the river and in frustration gave it its current name.
We drove to Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. We did a lake cruise which took us to a viewing point for Spirit Island, a small island with local legends attached. See pics of Spirit Island, a view from the back of the boat, and another boat on the lake.
The Jasper Tramway is the longest guided aerial tramway in Canada. It rises 2277 metres up Whistlers Mountain and gives views of six mountain ranges, glacier fed lakes, the Athabasca River and the town. See pics below of the Tramway,view from the top, and Don at terminal with new bear friend.
Leaving Jasper, we drove south along the Icefields parkway towards Banff. On the way we visited the Sunwapta Falls - see pic below.
While driving we saw Bighorn sheep, which live in steep, rocky terrain. They are common in the Rockies. Everyone wants to see bears but often have to settle for sheep, elk and squirrels. See pic below.
While on the Parkway, we visited the Columbia Icefields Centre, which has an educational exhibit hall dealing with glaciers, national parks and local wildlife. See pics below of the icefield, viewed from the Centre.
Returning to the Lake Louise area, we visited Moraine Lake, which lies in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Some say it is more impressive than the better known Lake Louise. It was still partly frozen when we visited. See pics below of the lake and a local squirrel.
Next update will cover more of the Canadian Rockies, in the Banff area.
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