By Amanda May
Staff Writer
JasperNationalPark.com

Floating along, surrounded by high mountain peaks, boating in Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park is one of the most beautiful vacation activities in Canada.

The lake is at the foot of Mount Charlton, Mount Unwin, Mount Mary Vaux, Llysfran Peak, Lea Peak, Samson Peak and Mount Paul. With so many peaks in the area, you’ll want to bring your camera to remember this view in the wilderness of Jasper National Park.

The lake was created by a landslide that came off the surrounding Opal Hills. The 700 million cubic yards (500 million cubic meters) of dirt and rocks created a natural dam in the lower valley. The water backed up an voila, you’ve got Maligne Lake.

A variety of boat types are allowed on the lake’s pristine waters. Rent a canoe or a rowboat to take in the scenery in real time, or get a powered boat to really cruise around.

Electric motors without on-board generators are allowed on most of Jasper’s road-accessible lakes like Maligne Lake.

To get used to the lake, we recommend getting an early start your first day. The lake is usually calm around 9 a.m., a great time to observe the morning beauty and calm.

It’s a good idea to get used to the lake before you shove off because it is a very cold lake year round. Hypothermia can be a concern if you capsize. Because of this, it’s also a good idea to always paddle close to shore and wear a life jacket.

Good boaters live by a strict set of rules, including always wearing life jackets, never overloading the boat and always leaving at least a foot (30 cm) of free board (space between the water level and the top of your watercraft).

While you’re exploring the lake, keep in mind that small watercraft have right of way over powered tour boats, but avoid crossing in front of the big ones just in case.

The larger tour boats generally travel down the middle of the lake from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a good point, in that you probably won’t need to worry about right of way if you stay close to the lake edges, but watch out for the waves that the boats create. They are best taken head on (bow first).

Wind is another wave-maker that you should keep an eye out for. Because the weather in the Canadian Rockies is fairly unpredictable, always be ready for a sudden storm, drop in temperatures and even snow in the middle of summer! Head inland if you start to see the weather taking a turn for the worse. Check the live Jasper Web Cam for current weather conditions in the area!

Also, be aware while loading and unloading that black bears and grizzlies live in and are present in the area. Give the bears, as well as all the smaller animals enough space to live naturally in their habitat. Remember: you’re the tourist in their house!

Tags: black bears, boating, canadian rockies, canoeing, grizzlies, Jasper, jasper national park, Maligne Lake, motorboat, rowboat
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Jasper National Park, Alberta

by Kay Barbaro
Staff Writer

At more than 10,000 square km, and with at least 1,000 km in trails, Jasper National Park is the largest in Canadian Rockies, and offers a mind-boggling array of hikes and sights to get out and see. So many, that a visitor may be overwhelmed with all the potential activities. Here, we’ve provided 15 Jasper must-sees to help you narrow it down.

Medicine Lake

Medicine Lake is perhaps one of the most intriguing lakes in the world. This, in part, is because it is not actually lake, but a part of Maligne River that, after having gone underground, resurfaces. This causes the lake’s water levels to change drastically over the course of the year, which led local tribes to call it Magic Lake. Located 32 km. (19.2 mi.) S.E. of Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Maligne Lake

Located in incredible Maligne Valley, this  is the second largest glacier-fed lake in the world, encompassing 22 km. (14 mi.). A one-and-a-half hour boat cruise will give you views of glacier-topped  peaks before bringing you to world-famous Spirit Island. Maligne Lake is a great place for guided fishing, hiking or horseback riding. It is also great for cross-country skiing in winter. Located 48 km. (28.8 mi.) S.E. of Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Maligne Canyon

Maligne is one of the most amazing canyons in the Canadian Rockies, with sheer limestone cliffs that plunge to depths of over 50 metres (165 ft.)  The canyon is easily accessible by a trail that begins at a picnic area and takes hikers across six bridges, where they can catch the spray from the powerful Maligne River, or peer into the its turbulent depths. In winter, take a guided Canyon Tour across the floor of the frozen canyon. 1 km. (6.6 mi.) S.E. of Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Lac Beauvert

Besides being one of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies, Lac Beauvert is bordered by one of the worlds most scenic golf courses, and the world-famous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Enjoy the beautiful views, and access to a wide range of activities such as dining, shopping, horseback riding, cycling and boating. 7 km. (4.2 mi.) from Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Meitte Hot Springs

As the hottest springs in the Canadian Rockies, the Meitte have to be cooled from 54º C (129· F) to a comfortable 39º C (102º F). The scenic Fiddle Valley facility includes two hot pools (one wheelchair accessible), a cool pool and poolside cafe. Adding to the attraction are nearby hiking trails, picnic sites and accommodations. Swimsuits, towels and lockers are available to rent. 60 km. (36 mi.) East of Jasper townsite. Open daily from May 9 – October 13, 2008

Patricia and Pyramid Lakes

These beautiful lakes are popular for fishing, picnicking, boating, hiking, horse-back riding, boating, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. In the winter, cross-country skiing and ice-skating on Pyramid Lake are great for family fun. Seasonal and year-round accommodation and dining is also available, and Pyramid Island is now wheelchair accessible.

Whistler’s Mountain

The Jasper Tramway whisks you up Whistler’s Mountain to an elevation of 2285 metres (7496 feet) for stunning vistas over mountain ranges stretching up to 80 km away. Interpretive exhibits explain the high alpine environment and a hiking trail leads you to the summit of the mountain. On a clear day the white pyramid of Mt. Robson can be seen in nearby British Columbia. Gift shops and licensed dining facilities available. 8 km. (4.8 mi.) S. of Jasper townsite. Open mid April – mid October.

Columbia Icefield

One of Jasper’s main attractions, Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield south of Alaska, shimmering glacial ice and snow cover some 389 sq. km. (233 sq. mi.). An exciting 90 minute Ice Age adventure will take you out onto the Athabasca Glacier, a tongue of the Columbia Icefield, for an awe-inspiring glimpse of icy crevasses and ice-fed streamlets. Or, join a guided Glacier Ice-walk and visit the Icefield Interpretive Centre for informative exhibits and slide shows. Seasonal accommodation, dining and camping available. Hiking trails nearby. 105 km. (63 mi.) S. of Jasper townsite.

Sunwapta Falls

Sunwapta is a Stoney Indian word for “turbulent river.” At the falls, you’ll find that an apt name as the Sunwapta River abruptly changes course from northwest to southwest and plunges in a cloud of spray into a deep canyon. Seasonal accommodation and dining. Picnic sites available. A frozen wonder in winter, Sunwapta Falls will delight photographers with its uncanny “ice sculptures”. 55 km. (33 mi.) S. of Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Mount Edith Cavell

Few summits in the park can match Mt Edith Cavell’s craggy beauty. The small, powder blue Angel Glacier is easily reached by a short self-guiding trail that winds its way along the shores of the lake. Another longer trail leads to picturesque Cavell Meadows. Trails are less crowded mornings or late afternoons. Parks Canada and Friends of Jasper have been working to restore the sensitive meadows after years of misplaced footsteps, please make your footsteps count by staying on the trail. 30 km. (18 mi.) S. of Jasper townsite. Open end of June – October.

Lake Edith and Lake Annette

These two day-use areas offer ample picnic sites and shelters in a beautiful lakeside setting. The water is refreshing and after a delightful swim you can stretch out on the sandy beaches or open grassy areas. Take a quiet evening stroll along the easy trail surrounding the lakes, including the wheelchair accessible Clifford E. Lee Trail. Or, cycle the bicycle trails around Lake Edith. Both 6 km. (3.6 mi.) from Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Pocahontas

Just off Highway 16 on the Miette Road you will find the remains of the “Pocahontas Coal Mine.” A trail leads through the mine remnants as well as to some spectacular viewpoints that overlook the Pocahontas ponds. Enjoy some time exploring this historic site. 48 km. (28.8 mi.) E. of Jasper townsite.

Athabasca Falls

Among the most powerful and breathtaking falls in the Canadian Rockies, the Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge where the walls have been smoothed and potholed by the sheer force of the rushing water carrying sand and rock. Picnic sites available. Cross-country skiing. Capture the brilliance of rainbow-hued spray or the dazzling sheets of ice suspended from jagged rock on film. 32 km. (14.2 mi.) S. of Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Stutfield Glacier

A tongue of the massive Columbia Icefield, the Stutfield Glacier pours over 900 vertical metres (3000 ft.) of cliff face, forming a picturesque set of double icefalls visible from a roadside viewpoint. The Sunwapta River braids its way through several channels across the broad, gravel flats below. 95 km. (57 mi.) S. of Jasper townsite. Open year-round.

Goat Lookout

From this elevated picnic area sweeps a panoramic view of the Athabasca Valley and the sheer mountain peaks surrounding it. This is a good place to spot mountain goats, bighorn sheep and other animals searching for mineral licks. Please remember, it is illegal to touch, bother or feed wild animals in any national park. Please help keep the wildlife wild and healthy. 38 km. (22.8 mi.) S. of Jasper townsite.

Tags: activites, canoeing, Hiking, hot springs, jasper national park, sights
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Jasper National Park, Alberta

Recreational opportunities abound in Jasper National Park, a vast and beautiful wilderness with more than 10,900 square kilometres of of space perfect for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, excellent wildlife watching, and superb rafting and canoeing.

If exploring on your own seems like a daunting task, hire a guide company, like those described in our Guided Tours and Activities section, for a recreational tour through Jasper National Park.
Quick Clicks: Articles on various Jasper activities.

• Itinerary Builder
• Ice Climbing
• Camping
• Mountain Climbing
• Jasper’s Backcountry
• Mountain Biking
• Skiing
• Park fees
• Getting to Jasper
• Backpacking

Tags: biking, canoeing, climbing, Hiking, Jasper Activities, jasper national park, Rafting, skiing
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