Jaunt to Jasper - Wednesday 2016 October 5

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The “Advanced Hike” this morning started on the familiar path around Lac Beauvert. Our guide pointed out the artificial loon nest far into the lake. The nest of logs and reeds was designed to make loons feel safe from canoeists. Wonderfully, the project was a collaboration between Parks Canada and the Jasper High School. She also drew our imaginations into seeing the ancient chief in “Old Man Peak”. On the other side of the lake, fresh snow on the mountain tops glowed pale pink in the morning light .

We diverted on to Old Fort Road, and after a while came to a set of 81 stairs (about 40, she had said!) up to a view point - we overlooked a passage of braided bends in the pale blue Athabasca River. Wondering about my own sanity, I joined about half the group to trek up a steep incline (about 130 metres elevation) to find the view of the Lodge and the town.

Our best reward came almost immediately – a male Big Horn Sheep was grazing calmly about 50 metres from the path, accompanied by three females. Many photos later, we continued the increasingly steep and rocky ascent, where just near the top I predictably took a difficult and wrong path. “What are you doing?”, asked our guide too late. “I don’t know!”, I plaintively answered. At last in the right spot, I joined the others in marvelling at the breathtaking scenery.

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Photos

Old Man Peak
Above Jasper Park Lodge

Mixed autumn colours
Lac Beauvert

From the little bridge across the creek
Lac Beauvert

Group of Seven composition
If only I could paint!

Athabasca River
non-highway access

Natural art
Athabasca River

Mountain Sheep
Very used to hikers

Canada Goose
Too prevalent, but still beautiful

Comments

[Isabel Gibson]

A through-truss bridge!
And some wonderful colours, too. Sounds like a marvelous hike, even with (or maybe because of) the surprises.

[beentouring]

Bridge Construction
Wow! You know your engineering.