Days 11 - 13, Radium Hot Springs to Jasper, via Icefields parkwayJun 3, 2012
|
|
Canyon RV Resort in Radium Hot Springs
Another view
view from Hot Springs pool
| Friday, Day 11: We only logged 85 miles as there is much to see! We stopped at the Radium Hot Springs public pool and soaked in 104 degee water while we enjoyed the surrounding snow capped mountains. No pictures because it was at this point that our camera died. It would take videos, but no photos. So for the rest of the journey to Jasper, all the photos were taken with my ipod. Now we are starting to see wildlife. On the way to Lake Louise we saw 4 black bear and one grizzly along the road. Next stop was Olive lake, a very clear spring fed lake. The trout only grew to 3", although we couldn't see any while we were there. Next we hiked to the paint pots, not very impressive, but historically important. I hiked the Marble canyon and took some pictures with the ipod. It was very impressive! We crossed the continental divide at 5,528'. Coming into Lake Louise I saw a huge 6x6 bull elk in velvet, Bal was looking at the map and missed it, no picture. We pulled into the Lake Louise campground and there was still snow on the ground. Very nice campground, 188 sites, not even 1/4 full. Saturday, Day 12: Lake Louise to the Icefield centre. Today we logged 88 miles. We visited the Chateau Lake Louise, a luxury hotel built in the 1890's for well to do travelers on the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Notice the lake is still partially frozen! Next stop on the Icefields parkway was Peyto lake. Bal passed on this hike as it was 1 mile up the mountain through two feet of snow. Of course I was wearing my sneakers instead of my hiking boots, so my feet were soaked by the end of the hike, but it was worth it, spectacular view of Peyto lake and Bow Glacier. Next we did a short hike to the waterfowl lakes, actually saw some waterfowl! Right along the highway was the weeping wall, water coming right out of the rock! Finally, we visited the Icefield Centre, they had very interesting information on the Athabascan glacier and global warming. They offered ice explorer buses that drove unto the glacer, but it was very expensive, so I just hiked up close to it and took a picture. The winds were howling right into my face and it was raining, so not a pleasant experience. Tonite we boondocked in the parking lot of the Icefield Centre, no services and not very level, but was the view spectacular! Sunday, Day 13: Icefields Centre to Jasper. Today we finished the Icefields parkway, covering 70 miles. During the night, the rain changed to snow but luckily none of it stuck to the road. But in the morning we could see our breath! Today would be the day of the waterfall! First stop was Tangle Falls. Right after Tangle Falls we saw a Mountain Goat on the side of the mountain. Next stop was a view of Stutfield glacier. We then went on a "short" 15 minute hike to Sunwapta Falls that turned out to be over an hour hike! At Mt. Christie we saw a black bear. As we approached Jasper, we took scenic route 93A to see more wildlife. First stop was Athabasca falls, it was the busiest place we have encountered on this trip. We were almost at the end of the road and feeling bummed because we hadn't seen any wildlife, when there was a traffic jam ahead. We saw a blonde black bear sow with two cubs! Then right down the road we encountered two mule deer. We got into Jasper early, so we decided to take the Jasper tram to the top of Whistler Mountain. The tram took us up over 1,000 meters to the top of the mountain. Believe it or not, the tram only runs in the summer, it's not set up for skiing, only sightseeing. We camped at Whistler campgound, below the mountain. This campground is huge! It has 781 sites! But they are really spread out and it's in a cedar forest, so it smelled heavenly. I went for a walk on the trail that goes through the campground and encountered five elk, two cows with calves and a yearling! I took pictures with the Ipod, but they didn't turn out well, the elk were really close! The ranger said to keep your distance because the cows were very aggresive when they had calves. I tried backing away, but they kept coming! |
Advertisement 
|
