Two weekends ago, we spent 36 hours (closer to 30 when you shave away the travel time) in Jasper National Park, and this is how we spent the time!
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is located 45 minutes east of Jasper and famed for the colour of its azure water. This lake is the largest glacially-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies, and surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain peaks. It is the second-largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies, and the famously photographed peninsula island, Spirit Island, is located halfway down Maligne Lake and only accessible by boat.
Photos courtesy of Pursuit Collection
We stopped for a quick lunch at the all-new Lake House Café then took a stroll along the lakeshore to the Maligne Lake Boat House. We also hiked to the Mary Schäffer Viewpoint where we found a set of Parks Canada red chairs.
Medicine Lake
We stopped briefly at Medicine Lake to snap a few photos. Medicine Lake is located in the heart of the Jasper National Park and is part of the Maligne Valley watershed.
Approximately 7 km long, this lake is famous for its disappearing water. In summer, the lake is filled with icy blue green glacial melt water. By autumn, the water disappears as it drains to a number of pools, some 16 km downstream. This phenomena caused by the largest inaccessible underground cave system in the world, is the reason the natives named the lake, Medicine Lake.
Maligne Canyon
I promised the kiddos a real waterfall this summer so we stopped at Maligne Canyon for a stretch. Maligne Canyon is considered the most interesting canyon in the Canadian Rockies and the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Jordan and Evelyn found it fascinating that the water in this narrow canyon came underground from Maligne Lake via Medicine Lake (where we just were!).
Six bridges were built across various points of the canyon, each with its own spectacular viewpoints of the river below and several waterfalls. We were stunned by the thunderous roar of the waterfall at the second bridge, which happens to be the highest point of the canyon, standing more than 50 metres above the water.
Downtown Jasper
We spent the evening exploring the Jasper town centre. I love browsing the local shops. You can find almost anything – mountain-inspired souvenirs, fashionable clothes, sports equipment, locally made jewellery and so much more.
Jasper Skytram
The Jasper Skytram is an aerial tramway on Whistlers Mountain near Jasper, and it is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada. The seven minute flight aboard the Skytram will take you to an altitude of 2,263 metres above sea level and a stunning perspective of the Jasper National Park.
We intended to hike the Whistlers Summit Trail but a third into the hike, the kiddos gave up. Despite being in the middle of summer, it was quite windy and chilly at the top. Visibility wasn’t great as heavy forest fire smoke was blown in from the neighboring province.
We ended up spending about an hour on the boardwalk and surrounding area outside the tram station enjoying the spectacular views plus coffee and snacks at the Upper Station café before it was time to head back home.
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