Snorers, scenery, sunshine and sky trams

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Geo: 52.8736, -118.083

Snorers! So apparently not all of the snorers made it into the cabins...... One rogue buffalo made it into the tent area and thus a fitful night ensued.

However, on the upside, we had another beautiful drive ahead of us in our way to Jasper National Park. As we drove the black road, which cut through the landscape like a giant liquorice rope, we passed by brilliant turquoise lakes, set deep within curtains of pine trees, the few deciduous trees scattered amongst them having begun to change colour to beautiful shades of burnt orange, golden brown and deep yellow. We sailed past the Rocky Mountaineer, carrying its luxury passengers through the stunning scenery, their view as impressive as ours. On and on we drove through mountain passes - the jagged tops of multicoloured rock reaching up into the blue sky.

We stopped for lunch at Mount Robson, the highest mountain in Canada, where we had a stunning view of the snow crowning the giant monolith, before clouds passed over it. After lunch, we continued on through gorgeous alpine scenery for which there are not enough superlatives. Everything here is beautiful; the colours, grand scale and constant combination of trees, lakes, mountains, rivers and clear blue skies, with clouds that roll in and out creating dramatic shapes and shadows on the landscape is incomparable to anywhere else I have been in the world. It is indescribably breathtaking and I will never get bored of gazing at it.

We drove into Jasper, a residential town and more 'real' than we had found Whistler to be. With two main streets and plenty of open spaces, it was a delight to wander, taking in the local life. A huge totem pole representing the connection to the native people who had settled here stood across from the visitor centre, its bright, bold designs strikingly captivating. After wandering for a while, we drove out to the Jasper Skytram, a gondola which cruised up the mountain, tourists crammed in like sardines to enjoy the view from the top.

As we passed one of the struts holding the wires that the gondola travelled over, the whole thing began to swing out, causing mild panic amongst the people onboard. However, the sweeping views soon distracted people's attention from the possibility of plunging to their death. Once we reached the upper gondola station, the town and its surrounds lay out before us, nestled into the feet of the mountains. A plethora of lakes and turquoise rivers glinted in the sunshine and a light mist cast the whole area in a mythical light.

In order to reach the top of the mountain, we had to undertake a very steep hike, but once we got there, the views were even more breathtaking - it was a 360 degree panorama of mountains that undulated off in every direction. Although there were a few people climbing up to the summit, it was still easy enough to find secluded places to sit and contemplate the majesty of the surroundings. All too soon, it was time to hop back in the cable car and make our way back down the mountain, where we sat back at camp in the warm sunshine, enjoyed dinner and settled down to a better night's sleep.

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Photos

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View from window

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Icelandic horses at horse farm