Thoughts on Jasper

Jasper is a huge park, yet it does not have a lot of venues where you can “do” something. If you go to Yellowstone, there are several stops where there activities, walks and hikes, the same with Bryce or Grand Canyon. Jasper has just a few “stops” and they seem less organized and maybe more interesting.

For “organized” events, you can drive the switchbacks up Mt. Edith Cavell, ooh and aah at Athabasca Falls,

marvel at Lake Maligne, ride the Athabasca whitewater, take the tram to get a bird’s eye view of the park, or visit the townsite. However, the best thing to do in Jasper is enjoy the mountains, lakes and rivers in an “unorganized” way such as strolling around a jewel-like lake,
or hiking a trail to a glacial pool, or gazing at the reflection of a mountain in a glass-like pond. There are ponds and rivers for canoeing, trails for bike riding, hiking and walking, and then there are just places to “be” and enjoy the beauty of nature. That’s Jasper. It’s not for folks who have to go to the mall for a good time.



Mountain Names: One of the towering mountains in Jasper is named after a World War I nurse, Edith Cavell. During the Great War, Edith Cavell, RN, was stationed in Belgium when it became overrun by Germans-- she stayed on and nursed soldiers from both sides. Then she committed the ultimate crime…she smuggled a number of “her” soldiers to safety. She was arrested for her deed, executed and earned the title “Martyr Nurse.” The mountains in Jasper and Banff National Parks were named soon after World War I, and the grandest mountain in Jasper was named in her honour.

The “Angel Glacier” clings to the side of Mt. Edith Cavell, along with several other glaciers all contributing to a glacial pool that has a milky turquoise color.
The glaciers have a turquoise tint too. Walking to the little glacial lake or stacking rocks are two things that folks do in the area. I stacked rocks, while my friends meandered over the boulders to the pool