Days 56 & 57 - Jasper National Park

Day 56
Monday, August 14, 2017
Jasper National Park, Alberta

We decided to spend the day exploring Maligne Valley, about a half hour drive from Whistlers campground. Sandy, Jay and I hiked much of the Maligne Canyon trail. It was still very hazy, so we thought that looking down into the canyon versus looking up at the mountains would be a good choice. Although named a canyon, it was so narrow that it seemed more like a very deep gorge. At times it looked narrow enough to jump over. Besides going along the edge of the 164 feet deep canyon, the trail included several bridges. It was a very popular trail, but people were considerate and so they did not detract from our enjoyment. In addition to the rushing water of the Maligne River down below, there was a powerful waterfall, potholes and other interesting stone formations carved by the water. There was even a chockstone, a boulder that had become wedged across a narrow portion of the canyon. (see photo)

Next we drove to the end of Maligne Road to Maligne Lake. There we hiked the 2 mile Mary Schaffer Loop trail that hugs the shore then turns away into a pine and spruce forest carpeted with moss and lichen. It reminded me of the old growth forests we have seen in US National Parks. The hiking guide described the trail as having no elevation gain. Jay and I would beg to differ.

Day 57
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Jasper National Park, Alberta

It was a short drive to the trailhead for the hike in Valley of the Five Lakes. Hiking up or down hills is hard for Jay, so we had looked for hikes with little or no elevation gain. This hike was one that the ranger at the visitor center had recommended. We hadn’t gone very far when it became evident that this hike wasn’t as level as we would have liked. In addition, Jay’s hip was giving him more trouble than usual. So, Jay decided not to go on, but urged Sandy and I to complete the hike. Thinking that this might happen, he had brought a book along to read, so he was set. There were plenty of other people hiking the trails, so Sandy and I went on alone.

So, there are five lakes in the valley. Their names are First Lake, Second Lake, etc. One would have thought they could have come up with better names than that. The 3 mile trail loops around all five lakes, winding in and out of lodgepole pine forests, meadows, and wetlands. Each lake is a different shade of blue-green due to the different depths of each lake. My favorite was Third Lake. The water had a very distinctive light green ring all around the rim of the lake.

In the afternoon we drove south a bit to see Athabasca Falls, the most powerful falls in the Rocky Mountains. The waterfall is 75 feet high and 60 feet wide. There is a paved trail that leads across a bridge to several lookouts at the top of the falls, so Jay and I could view the falls from both sides and

at different angles. You can even get close enough to feel the spray from the falls if you like. I went down the trail to see the bottom of the falls. The trail down itself was neat, with steps winding through narrow cliffs and tight passages near towering rock formations.

There were many signs warning about slippery rocks, unstable ledges, and staying behind the fences. I sucked in my breath with disbelief as I spotted a girl sitting on a ledge that jutted out high above the gorge (see photo). What was she thinking!

In the evening, we went into town to wander about, check out the shops, and find a Jasper tee shirt for Jay to add to his collection.