Sharon & Sharyn's Great Canadian Adventure - Jasper to Lake Louise

Well my bad!  Let me apologize for not posting the next leg of Sharon & Sharyn's Canadian Adventure in a timely manner!  It's been over a year now since they have taken this amazing trip and I have only shared the first leg of their journey with you.  There have been some technical difficulties and just so you understand who's fault this really is.......yep, it's mine!  When you have as much fun as I do, time just slips by way to fast!

So get comfy and I hope you enjoy this post as written and shared by Sharon & Sharyn!

(written by Sharon & Sharyn)

It's day 3 and it was time to board our VIA Rail train and head to the Canadian Rockies. From the domed seating area above the sleeping cabins the scenery was spectacular en route to Jasper.

In Jasper, Alberta our home was the Mount Robson Inn  which came highly recommended by AAA -- and now by us as well!  It is a delightful motel-style inn perfectly located close to rail and all the special charms which Jasper holds.  The inn abounds with courteous, helpful staff that went out of their way to assist each guest.  Our room was spacious and well-appointed (and yes, with free WiFi) – perfect for both summer visitors and winter skiers.  

The next morning we picked up our rental car and also a GyPSy Guide , which provided terrific commentary and history about our surroundings while suggesting possible new adventures. We followed the talking guide and explored Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake.  After this trip it would be hard to imagine going to this part of the world and not see these stunning places. 

 

Water thundered from melting glaciers down through majestic forests, seemingly splitting open the earth in crags and crevices before becoming part of a still, silent deep blue lake.  We’ve seen a lot of mountains and rushing rivers, but nothing quite like this.  Here is a short view of Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake.   

 

 

 

After a delicious dinner in one of Jasper’s many fine restaurants and a comfy rest in the Mount Robson Inn, the following day we headed off along the famous Icefields Parkway. 

Our trusty GyPSy Guide suggested a detour via route 93A, part of the old highway. We took the advice and headed for Mount Edith Cavell (named in honor of the WWII British nurse who saved the lives of many Allied military personnel at her hospital in Belgium at the cost of her own life). 

 
Here is where Sharyn (hailing from Sydney, Australia) was especially happy for a healthy Aussie-type bush walk and there were many tempting choices of footpaths.  The first half of our hike was to a lookout over both the glacier and lake.  Sharyn observed the path’s upward first half will provoke a bit of a rise in one's heart rate, but is quite manageable for all but the seriously unfit. The second half, down to the lake, is a case of picking one's way among small rocks, so good walking shoes are needed.

 

 

 

Our next stop was the Athabasca Falls just before we rejoined the main Parkway. As the region had experienced unusually high temperatures (30 C / 90+ F degrees) for several days causing high volume snow melting and a heavy thunder storm the night before, the river was bursting its banks and the Falls were powerfully impressive.

 

 

 

The slightly smaller Sunwapta Falls (another 15 minute drive along the Parkway) were also roaring with melted glaciers and rain water. Here we found a lovely lodge at the entrance which was the ideal place for us to buy a light lunch.

 

Sunwapta Falls

 

The Columbia Icefield is the most well-known stop on the Parkway.  An interpretive center and available trips on a huge bus designed to maneuver on the ice of the Athabasca Glacier are easily accessible. The glacier is unquestionably an awesome and impressive sight, but happily we discovered there are countless other stunning mountain views along the Parkway as well.

 

The GyPSy Guide we were using not only gave directions of where to turn etc., but also commentary on what to look out for, where good hiking trails began, when good photo stops were coming up and interesting history on the exploration of the area.

Several beautiful lakes caught our eye between the Icefield and Lake Louise, our destination that evening, and Bow Lake provided a particularly "wow" moment with its pale emerald water overlooked by snow-capped peaks.

 

Lake Louise

Bow Lake

 

This was an amazing drive while heading to our next destination, Lake Louise!