Credits: Paper – Jessica Sprague Green Diamond paper (Grand Intentions Kit)
Tag: Big Trips
Athabasca Falls
After the breathtaking Sunwapta Falls, we took another turn and found ourselves in yet another dramatic and powerful waterfall.
Considered among the most impressive falls in the Rocky Mountain, it is not surprising to note that Athabasca Falls could quite possibly be the most popular in the Canadian Rockies. Lucky for us, we were there at a time where visitors, sometimes overflowing, were few.
A short access trail surrounds the falls and allows for a glimpse of park. A lookout spot and a bridge provide vantage points for photos.
Speaking of which, the falls is a deafening combination of sound and spray and even if it is not raining, a rain-jacket might be a good idea. Not because we were soaked but I worried more about my camera lens and wished I brought something to cover up.
The Athabasca River is the largest river system in Jasper National Park and the heavy flow of volume from that river pours over a hard layer of rock, cutting deeply into the soft limestone below creating potholes and medicine bowls.
This odd rock formations thousand of years in the making is also a take off point for white water rafting. Sadly though, A’s 18 day stint in the Colorado River left him with no desire to be in cold water any time soon. Oh well… 😦
Visit more Scenic Sundays here.
Sunwapta Falls: Turbulent Waters
Not far from the Icefields Parkway, south of Jasper, is the aptly named Sunwapta Falls meaning “turbulent waters” in the native tongue of the Stoney Indians.
Originating from the Athabasca Glaciers, the volume of water caused by the glacial meltdown was high in early summer, when we were there.
The small island in the middle of the Sunwapta River just up stream of the falls is, in my opinion, what makes the upper Sunwapta Falls beauteous.
Make sure to detour to this falls when in the area. For more Sepia Scenes, click here.
Downtown Jasper
A photo gallery of downtown Jasper:
Our B&B
Shops
Mountain backdrop
Flora
More flowers
Jasper Firehall
The neighborhood
Pinecones
Via Rail Station
Sweet Jasper
Credits: Template: Katy Larson Kiseed Studio; Paper: LivEdesign Sing4Spring PP3 and SP2; Elements: LivE S4S Spring String 2; Alpha Tags: LivE Sing4Spring Alpha Tags
“Must not miss Jasper,” my well-traveled friend advices. “It is a town you will adore.” Anyone who knows me knows that I love quaint, rugged towns and this little town where peaks crown the horizon in every direction is indeed a town I have regarded as one of my top picks. The largest and the most northerly of Canada’s Rocky Mountain National Parks and one of the group of 4 national park and 3 provincial parks which together are designated by UNESCO as the “Canada Rocky Mountain Park World Heritage Site”.
Quieter then the 2 previous towns, Jasper feel more like a friendly small town than a tourist town. It is because nearly one quarter of Jasper’s population is not dependent on tourism. Canadian National, Canada’s largest railroad, employs hundreds of people who call Jasper home.
If you’re into small quaint towns (filled with abundant wildlife) as I am, this rugged, not-so-little piece of wilderness will become your favorite spot as well once experienced. In my next few post, you’ll see why. So consider this an intro to one of my favorite places.
Journey to Ancient Ice
Connecting the two towns of Lake Louise and Jasper is the extremely scenic Icefield Parkway. To travel it is to experience a world where snow and ice dominates the land. Stretching 230 km between the two towns, the parkway offers easy access to one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes.
The largest of the chain of icefield stretching more than 25 km across the Continental Divide, Columbia Icefield straddles the boundaries of Alberta and British Columbia, as well as Banff and Jasper National Parks.
The massive Brewster Ice Explorer is a modern marvel specially designed to clamber up the glacier, which took us out to the slopes of the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca Glaciers for an up-close glimpse of icy crevasses and ice-fed streams.
A driver-guide led the 90- minute journey sharing information about glaciers and icefields. We get to step out midway onto the glacier and stand on ice of yore.
Columbia Icefield is a surviving remains of the thick ice mass that once covered most of Western Canada’s mountains lying on an elevated plain. It is North Amercia’s largest sub-polar ice park.
Parker Ridge Trail
Located in Northern Banff and closer to Jasper. On the way to Columbia Icefield from Lake Louise is Parker Ridge Trail, a popular day hike and one of the best among several popular trail.
The trail leads to a ridge overlooking Saskatchewan Glacier and the Columbia Icefield and can be done in an hour. A hike I would have loved to do if I had my way. Here’s what the sign reads:
More snaps from the road:
To see more scenic snapshots, click here.
Bridal Veil Falls
Not too far away, on the same pull out as that of Crowfoot Mountain and Bow Lake is a sign pointing to Bridal Veil Falls.
A popular name for waterfalls from Australia to Zimbabwe, I found out. But this one is just a hop away from where we were and all you need is a telephoto lens to take this shot.
There is a trail south of the sign leading to different views of the falls. To learn more, click here.
Wordless Wednesday: Crowfoot Mountain & Bow Lake
Credits: Papers- Jessica Sprague’s Blue Dot and Blue Mega Flower papers, JCrowley Solid 3; Stickers – Jessica Sprague’s Blue flower and Orange flower stickers; Elements- Katie Pertiet Eyelet Twill Natural; Brush- Connect Dots brushes by onethirtytwo
To know more about Crowfoot Mountain click here, Bow Lake here.
Of Lifts, Gondolas and Tramways
“You can do it!! I’ll be right beside you.” A convinces me as we walk towards the lift that would take us 2,088 meters above sea level. So there I was on an open chair about 5 meters above ground, my feet resting only on a bar. Although safely buckled, I was still intimidated and any movement sends me to stiffness. A tries to calm me, “Here, let me hold your hand” and I let him.
We were cruising for 14 minutes, which felt more like 30 to me. But those 30 er 14 minutes were just full of glorious sceneries and as I started snapping away, a sense of calm came over me and I am all right.
From the top, the spectacular landscape is there to be explored. We however didn’t have the time to go trekking up the summit of Mt. Whitehorse so we soaked in the beauty of Lake Louise against the grand Victoria Glacier at the deck.
It was just a speck against the mountains that surrounds it but amazing how even that small, the blueness of the lake just stood out managing to draw your eyes to it. Imagine it up close.
Lake Louise Mountain Resort and the surrounding village are part of several important wildlife conservation in Banff National Park. It is supposedly home to some of Canada’s most renowned wildlife including Black Bears, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Wolves and the respected Grizzly Bear. We weren’t lucky enough to see any.
Banff golf course from the top.
By now, I have mustered enough courage to go on another mountaintop experience. The next day, we hopped on the bus and got off at the Banff Gondola.
No Sweat!
The journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a modern, fully enclosed four passenger gondola cabin took only 8 minutes. No sweat! The view becomes more spectacular as we approached the summit at 2,281 meters above sea level with Cascade Mountain providing the backdrop.
Round trip costs about C$30, pretty steep but the amazing view is worth the spend. A definite must see when in Banff. Easily accessible as well, the We Roam bus (I forget what route) will take you all the way to the base.
Cascade Mountain as backdrop and the smaller mountain is Tunnel Mountain.
When we got to Jasper, we obviously couldn’t resist and so therefore found ourselves riding the tramway one afternoon ascending up Whistler Mountain. The adventure begins at the foot of Whistler Mountain in the safety of an enclosed tram cabin that can fit about 30 passengers at a time.
The view from the tram.
The Jasper tramway is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada and I could feel my ears popping as we ascend. But feeling more like a veteran now, I confidently hopped on the cabin to be hoisted 2 km up to the peak – a beautiful, scenic and enjoyable mid-air ride.
View from the top.
Trekking
At the summit, we stepped out into an alpine tundra with views of six mountain ranges, glacial fed lakes, the Athabasca River and the scenic mountain site of Jasper. An awe-inspiring view that has become my favorite among the lot.
my adventure odyssey 