Stay overnight in truly spectacular country. Overland Trekking offers several packages. You could walk to Jasper hot spots and pass some spectacular sights along the way. You could head out to Jacques Lake. You could even try the Skyline Trail. It’s all up to you.

Overland Trekking has packages geared toward all experience levels, or you can design your own trip. All trips are accompanied by trained and experienced guides, and all packages include trail permits, food and transportation.

For more information, click www.overlandtrekking.com.

Overland Trekking features multi-day backpacking through some of the finest scenery Canada has to offer. And the company will be happy to fit your tour to your experience level and requirements.

Packages include the guide, trail permits, food and transportation. A porter service and backpack rental are available if you so choose.

If you’d like to learn more, click www.overlandtrekking.com.

From large mammals to exotic birds, and everything in between, Mt. Robson has it.

Moose, grizzly bears, black bears and goats are among the animals commonly seen in the area. The large herbivores reside year-round in the park, though where you’ll find them depends on what time of year you visit. In the summer, they head for the high ground and disperse; in winter, they get as low as they can and concentrate.

The goats actually remain near their range, but the moose and caribou tend to move greater distances. The moose like to congregate in willow jungles at lower elevations in the winter. The Moose Lake marsh area and the deciduous forests near the Fraser River by Robson Meadows.

Small mammals are common in the park, too. Weasels, mink, marten and otters all call the park home, but they tend to be reclusive. You have a better chance ot seeing the red foxes, coyotes and wolves who sometimes come down to trails and the highway, though many of these sightings are fleeting at night.

Much easier to find are muskrats, whose houses are a regular festure of Moose Lake Marsh, and beavers, signs of whom can be found along the Fraser River Nature Trail and at Lucerne on the Labrador Tea Trail. The beavers, in particular, are popular with guides and tourists alike.

Spend any time at all in Mt. Robson Provincial Park, and you’re almost certain to come across ground squirrels and hoary marmots. They’re pretty evenly distributed around the park and generally sedentary in habit, so they make excellent subjects for photographs.

Other commonly seen mammals include many kinds of hares, whose numbers peak at different times of the year; and porcupines, who stay on the ground during the summer to feed on herbaceous plants but take to the trees in winter. Mice, voles, and shrews also make the park their home.

Don’t forget the birds. More than 180 species have been recorded in the park or its vicinity. It must be said that the great majority of them are summer residents or transients; about 25 are full-time residents. Residents include several species of owls, along with goshawks, grouse, and ravens.

Come during the summer, though, and you’ll be treated to a bird wonderland.

The serene, still waters of Maligne Lake wait to welcome you, an appropriately stunning end to a journey filled with stunning sights.

JASPER, Alberta – Maligne Lake. Even for a place as picturesque as Jasper National Park, it’s something special indeed.

Whatever brings you to Jasper, be it scenery, wildlife, fishing, rafting, and/or historical interest, Maligne Lake and the road leading to it offer it in spades.

The scenery speaks for itself. Like wildlife? Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, white-tailed, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are among the larger animals commonly seen at the lake and on the road leading to it. In fact, they’re so common that park officials feel it necessary to remind everyone: stay in your vehicles when you see these animals, and please keep a safe distance between them and your cars.

Fishing … but wait, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Best to take it one step at a time. It’s most certainly a journey worth taking.

You’ll find access to the road about 5 km east of Jasper on Highway 16. Maligne Lake Road itself is built along the glacial valley that separates Maligne Range from the Queen Elizabeth ranges. It covers 46 kilometers (29 miles), and you’d be hard-pressed to find 46 more interesting kilometers in the Canadian Rockies … or anywhere else, for that matter.

You’ll cross a bridge fairly quickly; immediately thereafter, you’ll notice a road branching off to the right. Take it and you’ll wind up at the Jasper Park Lodge, one of the “it” destinations in Jasper. Not bad for something that began as a tent camp, eh? That road in itself is worth taking. It crosses the road that leads to lakes Edith and Annette, glacial kettles formed when huge blocks of ice left behind by retreating glaciers melted and overlying material collapsed into the resulting chasms. Now fed by springs, the small lakes are warm enough in the summer to swim in comfortably, making them a popular day-use destination for visitors and locals alike.

One more note about this side road: as you near Jasper Park Lodge, you’ll see the shores of Mildred Lake. (If you want to fit in with the locals, refer to it as “Laundry Lake.” It’s right next to the lodge laundry department.) Keep an eye on the lake’s center. You may see the water spout. When the nearby golf course tightens the taps on its irrigation system, the water backs up and eventually spews high into the air over “Laundry Lake.”

Once you pass the road to Jasper Park Lodge, there’s another side road that will take you to the Fifth and Sixth bridge picnic area. Whether you plan to stop or go on, if you’re interested in the history of the area, tune in to AM 1490 (AM 1230 for French). Parks Canada radio broadcasts a show about early adventurers in the area.

For the next highlight on Maligne Lake Road, keep a sharp eye out. There’s a sign that indicates a viewpoint to the left. We promise it’s there, though it’s not easy to spot. It’s worth the detour, though; the road leads to a brilliant panorama of the Athabasca Valley and Jasper township.

This is the Hanging Valley viewpoint. No, it’s not a valley replete with gallows. The Maligne Valley is a textbook example of a hanging valley. Such a thing comes about when two glaciers of different sizes carve out valleys near each other. The Athabasca glacier, as it retreated, left behind the Athabasca Valley. The Maligne glacier, which was just a tributary of the much larger Athabasca glacier, carved out the Maligne Valley as it retreated, smaller and higher than the main valley below – thus, a hanging valley.

In many places, the panorama would be the highlight of any drive; on Maligne Lake Road, you’re really just getting started. On the road, just past the Hanging Valley turnoff, you can turn left into the Maligne Canyon day-use area. It’s very much worth it; you can see one of the marvels of Jasper National Park. With the Maligne Valley left stranded so far above the Athabasca Valley, the Maligne River carved the Maligne Canyon to drain from the upper valley to the lower. There are areas where the canyon is just a few meters wide but up to 50 meters deep.

It’s a stunning sight, the canyon. It’s worth climbing the trail, but be careful; it’s well-kept, but steep, and pay attention to the barriers put up along the trail. They’re there for your safety. Many photographers have lost their lives climbing over them to get an even better view.

The next marvel on your trip on Maligne Lake Road is Medicine Lake. The lake is formed by glacial runoff from the surrounding mountains that runs down through a network of underground caves every summer. Here comes the fun part. The lake itself is constantly draining – water from it resurfaces below Maligne Canyon more than 17 kilometers downstream, making it the longest underground drainage system in the country. In the months leading up to the summer, the runoff from above runs into the lake faster than the lake drains. In fact, in the spring, the lake is there in its full glory. But, by September, as the runoff tapers off, the lake rapidly drains, and in autumn Medicine Lake is completely empty.

Fascinated by the phenomenon, some people have tried to plug the drain below the lake. One attempt was made using old mattresses, and the other was made using magazines, of all things. Neither, it must be reported, were successful.

If you’re into whitewater rafting or kayaking, the next turnoff on Maligne Lake Road is your destination. The waters of the Maligne River are warmer than freezing – sometimes, and only by a few degrees – but the turnoff is still one of the area’s most popular adventure destinations.

All right, movie fans, the next attraction is for you. The road crosses a bridge over the Maligne River at kilometer 41. If you look upstream from the bridge, you’ll see a large rock in the middle of the river. The rock was showcased in the 1953 film “Rose Marie,” which starred Howard Keel and Ann Blyth. Oddly enough, the film wasn’t actually shot here. But the remake of the ‘53 original was.

And, at last, you reach Maligne Lake. Quite a journey, isn’t it? There’s so much to see on the way, it’s almost easy to forget where you’re going in the first place.

Until you get there, that is.

The first thing you’ll notice about Maligne Lake is that it is a photographer’s dream location. To the left: Leah Peak, Samson Peak and Mount Paul. To the right: Mount Charlton, Mount Unwin, Mount Mary Vaux and Llysfran Peak. Sitting in between, one of the most beautiful vistas to be found anywhere in the world.

Oh, and remember the fishing? Hope you bought your fishing license. The lake has been stocked since the early part of the 20th century and now teems with life. Dinner awaits!

Even if you’re not into fishing, be sure to go on one of the boat tours on the lake. You’ll get to visit Spirit Island, a trip that, like the drive to get here, is truly not to be missed.

This is what awaits you at the end of Pyramid Lake Road ... the lake itself. Of all of the many stunning vistas in Jasper National Park, this surely must be among the most spectacular.

If you’re coming to Jasper National Park to see the rich and varied wildlife, then the Pyramid Lake area is a must-visit.

Elk, deer, beaver, moose, birds of every feather – and, of course, bears – are all there to see, and the area is just outside Jasper township.

In fact, access to the area begins within the townsite. You start on Connaught Drive and turn right onto Cedar Avenue. Once you pass the recreation center, the street becomes Pyramid Lake Road, and you’re on your way.

Almost immediately, you’ll find yourself driving through a Douglas fir forest. Douglas firs can approach a full meter in diameter – the average is around 50 cm – thanks to a thick cork layer that gives the trees a defense against all but the strongest and largest forest fires.

There are also more than 20 small lakes in the area, legacies of retreating glaciers through the Athabasca River valleys. Another legacy: lots of trails you can walk, lots of quiet, tranquil settings, and lots of chances to see elk, deer, and the occasional black bear and grizzly bear.

You might come across a gated road 2 kilometers out on Pyramid Lake Road. The gate blocks access to Cabin Lake, which serves as the town’s main water supply. The road itself gives mountain bikers access to the Saturday Night Loop, 28.9 km of loop trail that skirts several local lakes.

The road also passes the access trail to a cottonwood slough, featuring trembling aspen and balsam poplar trees, both in the same family of true cottonwoods. If you’re into birdwatching, this is a prime location. Barred owl, pied-bill grebe, and Barrow’s goldeneye are just some of the birds you can spot here. Beaver and moose are also in the area, especially around dusk.

Another interesting destination along Pyramid Lake Road is Patricia Lake. It’s a beautiful lake, with bungalows dotting the shoreline and rentals allowing you to row across the surface. But it’s what is under the water that makes Patricia Lake unique.

Lying at the bottom of the lake are the remains of a top-secret World War II project – a 1:50 scale model of a warship made completely out of ice.

Yes, ice.

The idea, which came straight out of Winston Churchill’s office, was to build an unsinkable battleship. Given the havoc wreaked by German U-boats in the English Channel, it was an understandable goal. And where better to build an ice ship prototype than in the freezing heights of the Canadian Rockies? The model was built on Patricia Lake and kept frozen throughout the summer of 1943.

However, the cost of building a full-size ice ship proved to be too high (by quite a lot, actually), so the idea was abandoned, the refrigeration equipment keeping the ship frozen was turned off, and the prototype sunk to the bottom of the lake. It’s still there today. If you’re a diver, and you want to see something truly unique, you’re welcome to go down and take a look.

The road ends, of course, at Pyramid Lake. Sorry, there aren’t any ice ships sitting at the bottom of this lake. But gas-powered motorboats are allowed; rentals are available at the lake. Cast a line into the water, if you’ve a mind; rainbow and lake trout abound, along with Rocky Mountain whitefish. The fishing is first-rate; the Alberta record white sucker was pulled out of Pyramid Lake.

Come winter, there’s even a lighted skating rink maintained on the lake.

The Whirlpool River, as seen from Old Highway 93A. is a picture of calm relaxation. It wasn't always this calm, though. Back in the early 1800s, fur trading expeditions were common in the area.

National Park is full of must-see destinations and ways to get to them.

But if all you want is a nice Sunday drive, a leisurely stroll along the road less traveled, then take a drive along “the old highway,” Highway 93A.

Highway 93A used to be part of the highway that connected Jasper and Banff. It now sees much less traffic, but the scenery along the route is no less spectacular.

The road out of Jasper climbs to an overlook above the town that gives you a look at Jasper, at the Athabasca Valley and at the Maligne Range beyond it. There’s a side trail nearby that leads to Marmot Basin Ski Area and a trailhead to Tonquin Valley, one of Jasper National Park’s most popular backcountry destinations in winter and summer. The ski hill there features 48 runs and a vertical rise of 701 meters (2,300 feet).

As you continue along the highway, you’ll pass Cavell Road, and you may notice a lot of British military vehicles. You’ll find the reason for it about a mile past the Cavell Road intersection, when you reach an army camp the British uses for training. The soldiers go into the nearby townsite to do laundry and for rest and relaxation.

Speaking of rest and relaxation, if you’re looking for some away from Jasper’s busier campsites, you’ll reach Wabasso Campground about half a mile past the army camp. It’s the perfect spot for the traveler who wants a little peace and quiet.

Next up on Highway 93, three miles or so beyond Wabasso, you’ll come to the junction of the Athabasca and Whirlpool rivers. It’s pretty there, and fairly quiet now, but it played a key role in the development of the fur trade.

The “Meeting of the Waters,” as the junction came to be known, was first put on the map by fur trader David Thompson. It soon became a linchpin of the westward trading route. Caravans would follow the Athabasca River to the Meeting of the Waters, then head upstream along the Whirlpool River toward Athabasca Pass. There they would meet traders from the Columbia and other western regions. They would exchange goods and then retrace their steps.

In 1846, however, when the Oregon Treaty set the 49th parallel as the international border, the mouth of the Columbia River became American territory. Traders soon thereafter all but abandoned the Athabasca Pass for the Yellowstone Pass, and the area became the quiet, beautiful setting it remains today.

Back on Highway 93A, there’s another backroad near the Meeting of the Rivers that also follows the Whirlpool River. It will take you within a mile of Moab Lake.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the backroad is also the trailhead for the trek up to Athabasca Pass. It’s a bit of a journey – 43 km (27 miles).

About a kilometer further along the highway, there’s a beautiful picnic area at Leach Lake. The lake is thought to be a glacial kettle: that is, a lake formed when ground material fell into a void created by melting ice left behind by a retreating glacier. Many such glacial kettles can be found throughout the Canadian Rockies.

A few kilometers past Leach Lake, you’ll come across a former fireroad that climbs 5.5 km (3.5 miles) up the lower slopes of Mt. Fryatt. The road ends at a trailhead you can climb to reach the former site of the Geraldine Fire Lookout. As you might expect, the vantage point gives you a panoramic look out over the valley. You can also climb a second trail that takes you higher up the mountain to the Geraldine lakes.

Once you pass the Geraldine fireroad, old Highway 93A rejoins Highway 93. But that’s just a sidelight. The main attraction here is Athabasca Falls, and they are spectacular. Water roars down thick layers of quartz sandstone. But be sure to stay behind the retaining walls. You might want to get closer, but the water vapor spewed by the falls promotes the growth of algae throughout the area. It makes handholds and footholds treacherously slick.

Thus you’ve reached the end of your journey along Old Highway 93 – and what an end it is. At the junction, you can return to Jasper. Or, if you’ve got time and you want to see more, you can head for the Columbia Icefields. All in all, it’s a drive that is simply not to be missed.

Edith Cavell was executed by Germany for assisting Allied soldiers in occupied Belgium during World War I.

Mt. Edith Cavell is not only one of the most scenic locations in Jasper National Park, but one of the most historically significant as well.

No matter what your interests are in your vacation, Mt. Edith Cavell is sure to offer something for you.

There is, of course, the scenery. With a peak reaching 3,363 meters (11,033 feet), you’re going to have spectacular views. Chief among those is the stunning Angel Glacier, which falls from a cliff about 300 meters (7,005 feet) high on the north face. If you’re interested in climbing, there are several trails on the mountain that lead you to views of the glacier and of Cavell Lake.

It’s a popular destination for skiers, too. Cavell Road is closed to traffic in the winter months; it becomes a well-traversed cross-country ski trail, and vacationers like to stay at Mount Edith Cavell Hostel before striking out into the Tonquin Valley.

Nature enthusiasts are encouraged to try the Cavell Meadows Trail, especially in July. The trail begins where Cavell Road ends, following the trail left by retreating glaciers. The trail leads you above the remnants to a subalpine meadow that erupts into beautiful flower life.

But it is the story of Edith Cavell that sets this site apart.
Cavell was born in 1865 in Norfolk, England. She served as a governess for several years, including for a family in Brussels, Belgium, from 1900-1905, but felt called to the nursing profession. After training at the Royal London Hospital, she was recruited to work at a hospital in Brussels in 1907, soon becoming a training nurse for three hospitals, 24 schools and 13 kindergartens.

Then came World War I.

In 1914, Cavell began protecting British soldiers and helping them escape German-occupied Belgium for neutral Holland. She eventually helped some 200 Allied soldiers, drawing the ire of German authorities. Cavell, noted for her outspokenness and honesty, did little to help her own cause.

On August 3, 1915, the Germans arrested Cavell. She was held in St. Gilles prison for 10 weeks, the last 2 in solitary confinement. British government officials said there was nothing they could to help her, seemingly resigned to her fate. The United States, not yet involved in the war, reacted more strongly, urging Germany to show clemency and saying executing her would not sit well with neutral parties all over the world.

The German military would have none of it. Having arrested her not for espionage, but for treason, the Germans tried her quickly and sentenced her to death.

On the eve of her execution, she told an Anglican chaplain who had been allowed to see her: “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” The words would later be inscribed in a statue built in her honor in St. Martin’s Place near Trafalgar Square in London. She was killed by firing squad at 6 a.m. on October 12, 1915.

Canada honored Cavell’s memory by naming the peak for her in 1916.

Mount Edith Cavell features skiing, hiking and some of the most beautiful scenery the Canadian Rockies have to offer.

One of the main attractions of Jasper National Park in the summer is the chance to take a coach out onto the Columbia Icefields.

Welcome to a world of ice. Welcome to the feeder of no fewer than eight glaciers. Welcome to a land where continents meet.

You’ve just entered the Columbia Icefields.

Found at the southern end of Jasper National Park, and measuring about 325 square kilometers, the icefields are among the most unique and stirring places you will ever visit. They are an incredible sight.

In the summer, you can even ride out onto the ice itself in a snowcoach. (Be warned: Don’t tread alone. The ice may look thick, but in many places it’s thin enough to break under your weight.)

It’s an absolute must-see on any vacation – and the road leading to it is a must-drive.

The Icefields Parkway connects Jasper National Park with Banff National Park to the south, and for fans of mountain vistas and roads, there is no better road. It’s an all-day commitment, but it’s worth it.
What else will you see, besides the icefields? A pair of glaciers, for starters: the Bow and Crowfoot glaciers. Athabasca Falls are also on the itinerary. Peyto Lake awaits you, too.

Wildlife enthusiasts, the parkway offers you excellent opportunities to see moose, caribou, and the ever-elusive black bear and grizzly bear.

There are many places to stop for a picnic, a hike, a bit of fishing or just a long look at the scenery.

Drivers, take note: The parkway stays open year-round, but service stations and visitors’ centers along the way are closed from October through May. If you visit in the winter, fill’er up before you embark.

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With more than 1,700 to choose from, chances are, you’ll find a campsite nearby, if you’re not already there.

Jasper is undeniably stunning at any time every day. But there’s something magical about seeing it under the stars from your motor home, trailer or tent. Have you seen too many light-bleached night skies from overcrowded cities? On a clear night in Jasper, you’ll see more stars than you thought was possible.

Plus, for a small fee (just $8.80), you can light a fire. What better way is there to pass an evening that around a warm fire, toasting snacks, swapping stories, or just taking in the view?

Just be aware, camping outside designated sites is not permitted.
For campground reservations, log on to www.pccamping.ca or call 1-877-737-3783. Many campgrounds in Jasper are first-come, first-served, and checkout time is 11 a.m. Pick your spot then and you stand a good chance of getting it.

Jasper National Park by day is beautiful. Jasper National Park on a cloudless night can be extraordinary.

The following definitions apply to entry and service fee categories unless otherwise specified:
Adult: Person 17 to 64 years of age
Senior: Person 65 years of age or over
Youth: Person 6 to 16 years of age
Family/Group: Up to seven people with a maximum of two adults arriving at a national park in a single vehicle or visiting a national historic site together.

ENTRY

Daily
Adult: $9.80
Senior: $8.30
Youth: $4.90
Family/Group: $19.60
Commercial Group, per person: $7.30
School Group, per student: $3.90

Annual – National Parks of Canada
Adult: $67.70
Senior: $57.90
Youth: $33.30
Family/Group: $136.40
- Includes entry to 27 participating National Parks

Annual – Discovery Package
Adult: $84.40
Senior: $72.60
Youth: $42.20
Family/Group: $165.80
- Includes entry to 27 participating National Parks and 78 participating National Historic Sites

Camping Services
Campside Day Use Permit: $8.80
Fire Permit, per day: $8.80
Dump Station: $8.80

Backcountry Use and Camping
Overrnight permit, per person: $6.80
Annual permit, per person: $68.70
Reservation: $11.70
Grazing permit, per horse, per day: $1.90
Grazing permit, per horse, per month: $24.50

Fishing
Daily permit: $9.80
Annual permit: $34.30

Heritage Presentation Special Programs
Off-the-shelf programs, per group, per hour of program delivery: $73.60
Custom programs, per group, per hour of program development and delivery: $49.00
World heritage interpretive theater, per person: $11.70
World heritage interpretive theater, per performance: $981.30
World heritage interpretive theater, per school group, per performance: $588.70

Managing Canada’s 1st National Park
Half-day charge, per person: $45.10
Half-day charge, minimum, per group: $785.00
Full-day charge, per person: $90.20
Full-day charge, minimum, per group: $1,570.10

- All fees are in Canadian dollars.