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Jasper - Travel to Canada's Rocky Mountain Paradise |
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Friday, 01 July 2005 |
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Page 1 of 2 Mention the Canadian Rockies, and most people instantly think of Banff. As
the main tourist destination in the Rockies, Banff is very much a commercial
town geared to tourism. But for those who like their Rockies a little quieter,
250 kilometres north is paradise - the town of Jasper.
July and August are the peak times to visit Jasper, but if you don't mind colder
weather and like your lakes frozen, you can avoid some of the tourists by
visiting in the few months either side. The weather can be haphazard, so allow a
little flexibility in your plans.
Six kilometres south of Jasper is Whistler Mountain. If you visit early or late
in the day, you will most likely hear the melodic sounds made by the whistling
marmots living on the lower slopes of the mountain. Early birds can also get
cheaper tickets on the Whistler Mountain gondola. The terminus is at 2,500m,
with spectacular views south to the Columbia Icefields, and west to Mount
Robson.
For those who prefer to look up at mountains, there are plenty of beautiful
lakes close to town, all surrounded by snow topped peaks. Patricia and Pyramid
Lakes, 8km north-west of town, are small and quiet. They have beaches just
begging for picnickers to sit on them and admire the view after a tranquil
lunch. Herds of elk and deer roam the area, and if you're very lucky, you may
spot a coyote or a black bear.
Maligne Lake is south of Jasper, and is the largest of the glacier fed lakes. A
boathouse from the 1920s completes the storybook setting. There are a couple of
excellent hikes in the area, taking full advantage of the beautiful scenery.
Nearby is Maligne Canyon, a narrow cleft through the rocks filled with roaring
water during the spring thaw. It's also home to a very active herd of big horn
sheep, who can jump out of nowhere to startle tourists.
For those visitors who like more leisurely pursuits, it is possible to swim in
Lakes Annette and Edith near town. Situated at around 1000m, they are popular
during the summer months, although it's still not advisable to take a lengthy
swim in the icy waters.
After a few hard days of sightseeing, go for a leisurely drive about 40km
towards Edmonton. At the sleepy little town of Pocahontas (she certainly got
around!) take the turnoff to Miette Hot Springs. The renovated spas contain two
pools, and are a welcome respite for tired bodies. On the way there you may be
lucky enough to see mountain goats beside the road, although they're more likely
to be perched on a cliff high above you.
Another excellent drive is route 93A, which was the original road heading out of
Jasper towards Banff. Now preserved as a scenic route, the road offers a number
of interesting stops. Keep your eyes open, particularly during the quieter times
early and late in the day, because wild life abounds here. Mother bears with
their cubs have been seen chomping on berries right beside the road!
The aptly named "Meeting of the Waters" marks the place where two rivers join
together. During the spring thaw this meeting can make for spectacular
waterworks. Further along, it is worth taking the time to visit Moab Lake. A
pleasant walk ends with the magnificently sited lake, mountains hovering in the
background.
Skiers visiting in winter will certainly want to make the trip to Marmot Basin,
a popular ski resort south of Jasper on 93A. In summer, however, it looks much
the same as any other deserted ski field, except for the breathtaking scenery.
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