Canadian Rockies Trip Day 6 - Jasper (Friday, June 21st, 2019)

Canadian Rockies Trip Day 6 - Jasper (Friday, June 21st, 2019)

After a long day of travel yesterday, we got a good night rest and were ready to explore Jasper. The storm we encountered yesterday had pretty much cleared but the sky was still overcast. We slept in past 7:00 am and headed out to the Fairmont Jasper Lodge's Orso Trattoria's for the breakfast buffet. Our itinerary had included a 24 hour rental car. Our plan was to head to downtown Jasper to pick up our rental car and explore Jasper National Park on our own.

Heading out for breakfast after a full night's rest

At 8:00 am, still quiet around the lodge

Great view of Beauvert Lake

First round

Full plate

Proteins

Eggs Benedict and potatoes

Beans and sausage

Full plate of Canadian breakfast

Pastry section

All looks good!

Omelette

MM enjoying the omelette

Fruit and yogurt plate

By the big eagle statue after breakfast, the lake is really calm

Walking back to our lodge after breakfast

Towel bear from the hotel staff

After using the freshening up in our room, we finally left for the shuttle past 11:00 pm. This is super late for us. Due to having a late start, we would miss a significant opportunity later that day. 

Shuttle to the town center

The ride to the town of Jasper was short but we had to make a few stop along the way. There was a group of young hotel workers who were working at the Fairmont over the summer. They were picked up at a nearby hotel staff dormitory. They seem like college students who were working at the hotel during the summer. We were dropped off right at the town center. I had to make a pharmacy run to get some antibiotics for dad. After running the errand, we walked across the main city park and took some photos with the Canadian troopers at a Friday city market. We picked up our car (a Dodge RAM SUV) and headed to the national park. Our first stop was Maligne Canyon, a short 2.1 mile hike rated moderate. 

Getting acquainted with the Canadian troopers at a Friday market

At the trailhead of Maligne Canyon

Due to our late start, we did not get on the trail head until 1:00 pm. The hike was real scenic with many waterfalls and what seemed like small glaciers. The first part of the hike was quite busy with tourists from around the world, jostling for photos at various spots. Shortly after the first part of the hike, it got progressively much more quiet. We hiked through muddy trail due to the rain and crossed several bridges over the slot canyon. The later part of the trail would take up a few hundred feet higher than where we started. We hiked along the ridge of the mountain and got a great view of Jasper from higher up. It's a loop hike so we ended up where we started. I had delayered several times during the hike since I was getting quite warm and my sweat was soaking through my fleece. We got back to the trailhead and had a late lunch at the trailhead cafe. The food and coffee was wonderful. After using the restroom and continued on to Maligne Lake. By the time we got to Maligne Lake, it was well past 4:00 pm. We went to the edge of the lake and talked to the girl who worked at the gift shop. We realized that the Boat tour at Maligne Lake is considered a "must do" and we had missed it. This boat tour is where you get to see the famed "Spirit Island" at Maligne Lake. We realized that we could not do everything and maybe someday we will return here to do this boat tour. 

Walking along slot canyon at the earlier section of the hike

Staring at a small glacier


Walking over muddy trail


By one of the look out spots


By the rushing water


Hiking over more muddy path


Reaching a water fall close to half way into the hike


MM by the waterfall


GG by the waterfall


Gaining elevation over the canyon


More muddy path...


Flower along the dirt path


Making over to the footbridge


Hiking over a small creek


Getting a great view of Jasper at high path

After the hike, we took a needed rest at the cafe by the trail head. We ordered coffee, cookies, hot sandwiches and soup. The food tasted great. We refilled our water bottles and moved on with our drive to Maligne Lake.

Cookie and coffee at the cafe


The grey, monochromatic look of mountains on the way to Maligne Lake


Medicine Lake, the Lake will drain out by end summer season


Medicine Lake, remnants of the forest fire can be seen on the left


Bald Eagle standing on top of tree


Reaching the beautiful Maligne Lake


Playing in the snow in Maligne Lake


A squirrel (maybe the Columbian Ground Squirrel) poking its head out of the snow


At the Maligne Lake shore after learning that we had missed the last boat tour

After spending about three quarter of an hour at Maligne Lake and learning that we had missed the last boat tour, we were heading out of the park. As we were making our way out of the park we encountered a number of traffic slow down along the side of the road usually due to bear sighting. We had learned that if other people stop, we would stop to take a peek as well. We returned our car and grabbed a quick snack at Tim Horton's (can't come to Canada without eating at Tim Horton's). We headed back to our hotel and caught the last hour of Canoeing. I rowed the canoe and the kids and Joanne took turn riding in it. We got some good shots of the Beauvert Lake. After canoeing the kids ordered room service. Joanne and I snacked on the terrific beer snack from the lobby for dinner. We called it a night past 10:00 pm and it was bright outside. 

Stopping for bear traffic


Stopping for some Tim Horton's before heading back to the hotel


Donut hole - timbits


Caught the last hour of canoe just before 8:00 pm, seems like the sunrise time at Jasper


The friendly hotel staff helping us get situated into the canoe


Heading out


MM's turn


Getting out


Sunset


Joanne's turn


Visiting my parents, Dad was well enough to eat at the lobby


Chicken soup and entree


Pasta with meat ball


Ended our night with our favorite snack from the trip

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