Rockin' in the Rockies - Jasper National Park

How can Nature possibly be more beautiful?

July 7^th, 2014- Day 38

How can the scenery on this trip possibly get more beautiful?  This was first glimpse of the Canadian Rockies,
 taken on the road to Jasper, Alberta

First order of business was to get gas for the 300 miles of travel in the mountainous Canadian Rockies.  Today will be the first day we have traveled “serious” mountains in the RV.  We located a gas station, and after successfully navigating through a minefield of potholes, paid an arm and a leg for the gas (about $5.20 per gallon); we then headed for our most northern point on this trip, to Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.

Wow!  Hike up, ski down!
What an idea!

Jasper National Park is the largest protected area in North America.  10,878 square kilometers, (4,200 square miles) or about the size of the state of Connecticut.

On the way to Jasper, we drove what has been called “one of the most breathtaking drives in the world”.  We witnessed the most rugged of mountains sharply rise up, sporting a glacier cap - with steep, rocky canyons below harnessing the most ferocious of streams.  All this beauty outlined by evergreen trees standing straight as soldiers.  Waterfalls spew thousands of gallons of water hundreds of feet off of cliffs, as streams met the air.   Absolutely incredible!

Our wonderful, full service campsite at Whistler Campground, Jasper National Park.

After more than six hours of driving the steep mountains, we arrived at Whistler Campground, a lovely, wooded, full service site within Jasper National Park.  We set up camp, and poor exhausted Norm took a nap, while I hand washed and dried the RV and car.  They were both so disgusting!

 We then took our usual “scouting” trip to the Information Center and learned about all the hiking and biking trails, and got their respective maps. 

We browsed in the local gift shops, got our Christmas ornament for Jasper (we have a Christmas tree that is only adorned with ornaments from our travel destinations) and a coffee mug to use for our guests. Once again 90 % of the inventory was from China.

Norm’s sister Pat and her husband Lou from British Colombia will join us for a couple of days.  We have not seen them for a year, so we are really looking forward to their visit. This will be the first time we have had people stay overnight with us in our little rolling home.  It will be interesting to see how we all fit.  Hopefully the weather will remain as perfect as it has been, so we can spend most of our time outdoors.

July 8^th, 2014 – Day 39

We woke up to yet another day of perfect weather.  The forecast was to be quite warm (mid to upper 80’s).  What made this day even more perfect (if that is possible,) was that it lacked the “haze” that we have experienced over the last couple of weeks.  The gorgeous mountains seemed to jump right out at you. 

We hiked 1500 feet higher on Whistler Mountain from the Tram you see below.
Yes, it actually is that steep, and worth every labored breath!

We decided to take advantage of the visibility, and ride the tram up the mountainside to take in the views of the Rocky Mountain range, and the valley below.

Ahhh.... it's like a stroll in the park!  Not!  Staggering beauty!

After waiting for more than 30 minutes in line, we entered what I guess was a 5 foot by 8 foot gondola along with 28 other people.  We were packed in there like sardines, so tight you couldn't itch your nose, much less take pictures or even see the view. There was a poor golden retriever packed in there too, I think. I saw him enter, but he disappeared among the backpacks. A short 7 minutes later, we spewed out of the gondola, and hit the brisk and windy air and were awed by the view.

 Unfortunately we did not do our “homework” on this activity, because we did not realize that there were some really awesome trails to hike up there above the tree line!  We would have gone much earlier in the day, taken a lunch and plenty of water, and spent most of the day exploring and enjoying the beauty.

As it was, we still managed to huff and puff our way from the gondola up a VERY steep, barren hill to about 8700 feet, where the air felt quite thin, and I would stop to talk with people on the way up to disguise my poor conditioning from Norm.

This Hoary Marmot greeted us at about 8200 feet on a cliff edge.
Where did he/she come from? 

Well, we did leave Florida to get out of the heat!
Alison loving the snow on Whistler Mountain hike.

We hiked several miles along the rocky ridge taking a ton of pictures, sharing a ½ bottle of water and a granola bar.  We stopped and watched a strange, but cute animal appear from the cliff below and creep to within a couple of feet from us.  A second one followed.  Between Norm and I we must have taken 50 photos of what we later came to know is a “Hoary Marmot”.  They are found in the Canadian Rockies at high elevations. 

It was about 2PM before our growling stomachs, and the fact that Norm’s relatives were to arrive, that we reluctantly headed down the mountain.

Shortly after we got back and cleaned up, our company came. We had a wonderful dinner and played cards, caught up, and before we knew it, it was time for bed. 

Wednesday, July 9^th, 2014 - Day 40

We ushered in another beautiful day with a hearty breakfast, and then the four of us headed out with our picnic lunches for a drive to see the sights, and to just enjoy each other’s company.

Maligne Lake, Jasper

Beautiful turquoise lakes, deep gorges, raging waterfalls and towering snow- capped mountains were the theme of the day.

The sky and the water are really that blue, and all the water- whether in brooks, streams, puddles or lakes are truly that clear!

An unexpected gem.  Maligne Canyon

Another dinner, more cards and wine (or perhaps more wine than cards) we once again made up our beds and hit the sack. 

Thursday, July 10^th, 2014 – Day 41

We got up this morning to yet another beautiful day.  After stepping outside to check on the temperature we noticed several people milling about with their cameras.  Wildlife sighting – big-time!  Just 50 yards away was a whole herd of elk casually strolling through the campsite and stopping periodically to eat or lie down and rest.  They did not seem intimidated by our presence.  This was surprising since there were several calves in the group. 

Rudolph, is that you?

Mom and baby were among about 9 grazing in our campsite.

After breakfast, we sadly said goodbye to Pat and Lou.  Norm and I armed ourselves with bear spray and bear bells and took a hike on a ridge above the Athabasca River where we watched rafting companies take their charges down river.   Boy, I need to schedule one of these white water rafting trips. Norm has done it before, but it is very high on my “Bucket List”. 

These bears really like their berries and flowers!  Yes, I was just being
careful, standing just outside the car.

 Note:  Every brochure and poster here in Jasper warns of the bear activity, and strongly urges you to carry bear spray and stick together. After reading their “Bears and You” brochure, I am totally freaked out.  Good Lord, we are supposed to identify which type of behavior the bear is exhibiting – Is it mad? Curious? Hungry? Protecting its young or dinner?  Does it want you for dinner? Each behavior warrants a different reaction! If the bear attacks, you are to lie on your stomach and play dead, with your hands behind your neck.  This makes it more difficult for the bear to flip you over.  Keep your legs spread.  Hear that guys? Are you kidding? Don’t bears eat nuts?  Yikes!  I vote to go in a large group, (preferably with someone on crutches).

Momma and her 2 cubs right next to the car in Jasper National Park.

The nights here, as are the days, are absolutely glorious!  The sun is warm, the breezes are cool, and what we can’t get used to is that the daylight lasts until nearly midnight.  So we decided to finally think “out of the box” and treat the day as it really is.  18 hours long.

 After taking a nap, we had an early dinner (they have usually been about 8-9PM, so 6 o’clock seemed early) we donned our helmets, backpacks and bear spray (we carry our bear spray with us as if it were an accessory now like everyone else here) so I feel a slightly safer; then we road our bicycles down one of the few trails that was not too steep, nor closed due to bears.

Mount Edith Cavell area drive to see the Cavell Glacier.  

  We stumbled upon the Fairmont Jasper Lake Lodge and road around the beautiful lake and as the sun lowered, we got back to the car. The views are so breathtaking that I was close to tears on several occasions.  I really hated for the day to end.

Taken on our bike ride from the docks of the Fairmont Jasper Lake Lodge.
Would you believe it is nearly 9:00 PM?