Day 20 – Friday, July 5th – Jasper National Park

 

Got up early because we still had at least 4 more hours to drive to get to our destination. The complete drive once we crossed the border was close to 8 hours.  I had really questioned whether I really wanted to do this, but once I arrived I was oh so happy that I did.

We stopped at the campground in Blackpool that we originally wanted to camp at.  It was right along the Thompson River.  We took an early morning hike, it was beautiful next to the river.

Drove in mountains the entire time.  Once again saw signs that said High Mountain Road, watch for extreme weather changes.  At Valemount we saw the first really high mountains with snow on top.  That was just the beginning.

Decided to stop at Mount Robsom.  Was concerned that all the campgrounds around Jasper would be full and although this was an hour west of Jasper, we were able to get a first-come, first-pick site.  Put up a tarp and left a chair and dog cable to signify that we wanted to camp here.  We just needed to be back by 8pm to pay for it.

Mount Robsom is the tallest mountain in Canada at 12,297 feet.  It is a real standout.

That is Athabasca Pass over Buck's head

We drove east to Jasper seeing many more tall mountains.  Stopped in Jasper to get some stamps and exchange some US dollars for Canadian (we were told the campsite only took Canadian money). 

We headed to Athabasca Falls.  The parking lot was crowded and there were several buses there too.  Lots of people walking across the falls.  The water was rushing down the chute and as soon as you got close to it the temperature dropped at least 20*. 

We next drove down south from here and just marveled at all the huge mountains on either side of the road and in front of us.  Drove up a steep mountain road with 15-20mph switch back curves on it.  Took 20+ minutes to get to the top.  From here we hiked to look at Angel Glacier on Mount Edith Cavell.  Edith was a nurse that helped soldiers in WWI.  The hike was pretty steep but it provided great close-up views of the mountain and glacier. 

Whoever built this toilet was pretty sharp.  They gave it a view.

Once down we headed back towards Jasper.  Several cars were pulled off the road and figured there was some kind of animal.  Sure enough a herd of Elk was on the side of the road.  Once at Jasper we took Hwy 16 back west towards our campground.  Wasn’t far down the road and we notice some brake lights on cars and saw a big brown bear cross the road.  By the time we got there he was almost in the woods, but this picture makes me think it was a grizzly. 

The only way I like to see a bear, going away from me (butt view)

Back at the campground we relaxed and are getting ready for the next adventure.