I woke up to hurricane force winds and pouring rain. I was contemplating hiking the Skyline Trail tomorrow (the big 2 day hike of the trip) but when I stopped at the ranger station downtown they said that this precipitation would translate to tons of snow on the high elevation trail. I was a couple days ahead of schedule and huddled into this ranger station with 50 other hikers looking for something to do. I was aware that the weather changes by the hour up here so I decided to do some local hikes and return before 5 to get their thoughts again on the Skyline.
Jasper is a quiet little town with a great backdrop. Much more my speed than Banff. It is like Portland compared to Seattle or Ft. Lauderdale vs Miami.
Here are 2 maps of downtown Jasper JASPER MAP 1 JASPER MAP 2
Map of the Jasper Area MAP
Hiking Map of Jasper Area Jasper-National-Park-Hiking and Camp
I decided to drive the 45 minutes out to Maligne Lake, where the Skyline trail would start. There was also some confusion on where the trail ended. I wanted to get that straightened out. I was scheduled to park near the end and a shuttle would pick me up at 8am and take me to the trailhead, but this pickup spot only had about 5 car spots and I wanted to verify its location.
Along the way I stopped at the Maligne Canyon Trail. Pretty empty as it was pouring still. A nice warmup hike. It should be said that am trying to average about 15 miles/day. I had a goal of hiking 100 miles over the length of this trip. Tomorrow’s epic hike would ensure that I reached it.
Back into the car, I was stopped by a family of Bighorn sheep. Now I had already seen these guys on the Highline trail in Glacier NP but it was cool to see them up close as they resemble some sort of prehistoric beast. I was so close that one actually stuck his nose into the driver side window of my car. His name was Blueberry Johnson.
I arrived at Maligne Lake after spotting the parking lot for the end of the Skyline trail. Tomorrow I would have elaborate fantasies about that lot and the wild pixies and nymphs that were awaiting my arrival in celebration.
I took some shots of the lake and hiked Moose Lake loop in hopes that I might see said moose and add to list.
After failing to see a moose (don’t worry I would have intimate encounter later on) I headed back towards town, stopping at the Jasper Lodge. Another place that would crush my spirits tomorrow.
On the way back through town there were 20 people pulled over getting a look at this Elk
Somehow this wild encounter losses its luster when the free-spirited ungulate has a bread bag tie stapled to its ear.
The above shot is a little better.
I crossed back through town and drove up to Patricia and Pyramid Lakes. I was knocking out all the sights, still hoping I could make the Skyline tomorrow. I don’t know what I would do with another day in Jasper, relax? Not likely.
Some nice colors were on display at the sister lakes
Back through town and I went out to the gondolas that rode up to Whistler summit. I was not willing to part with $40 for the ride up
In the gondola parking lot was this monster. I believe it is the new H4 Hummer
I stopped back at the ranger station and asked out likelihood of the trail tomorrow. He said it should be doable. I reminded him that I was here in the am and the same person told me it would be buried in snow. He had no recollection of our conversation. That did not put me at ease, but I changed my hiking permit to tomorrow and decided to give it a go. He also said I might want to cancel my $30 shuttle because hitchhiking from the trail end lot I mentioned earlier would not be that difficult. So I did just that. Finally, I asked him for a good spot to catch sunset tonight. He mentioned a trail just east of town called Old Fort Point.
I headed over to Fort Point and walked about 20 ft onto the trail and came across this sight
I was like what the hell. I had not even started the hike, what is this guy doing here. I felt like I struck gold and had to share. I raced back to the trail head and announced to everyone that there was a Caribou right up ahead. I felt like a professional tracker. That is until everyone told me it was a Elk and not a Caribou.They also told me i was much to close during rutting season, which is what he was doing I guess. Too close? how else was I going to saddle him?
I climbed up a shortcut to the Point and sat down watching the day close over Jasper, wondering how tomorrow would unfold.
Back to the Jasper Brewing Co. and slipped into the back of my car, appreciative for the turn-down service provided.
Until Tomorrow
Darren
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