Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies + Glacier of USA Adventure Trip (4 )

Jasper National Park, AB, Canada

So many places..... so little time. 10 days of adventure in the Canadian Rockies were definitely not enough. Only that I also knew at the time of planning that we could not go beyond 10 days, not because we get tired physically, but I usually feel sick of outside foods. I guess that is the drawback of having a taste only for fresh vegetables, fish and fruits. It's hard to be away from the comforts of home. After a while, I feel weak, not from wandering and hiking, but from a lack of nutritious home prepared foods. But 10 days, were definitely enough for us to be inspired and rejuvenated. Nature's wonder is always a strong healing force for me. It is for that reason that our travels would always seek the healing power of nature's beauty.

Athabasca Glacier, Jasper National Park, AB, Canada

In this 4th part of the Canadian Rockies + Glacier of USA Adventure Trip series, I will be sharing some inspiring places we were blessed to enjoy at Jasper National Park. Jasper is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain National Parks and part of UNESCO World Heritage site. Its shimmering glaciers, abundant wildlife, crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, deep canyons and evergreen forest, all surrounded by towering, rugged mountain peaks are some of the reasons why it is in UNESCO's World Heritage List – deemed by the World Heritage Committee to number among the most significant sights on earth.

Just a day before our wanderings here, we were heavily rained out at Yoho National Park. Heavily rained out, but very much thankful. That heavy rain was answered prayers. The Canadian Rockies at that time were battling wildfire at Banff and Jasper National Parks. Very thankfully, heavy rain poured just a day before we were set for Jasper, and it put off the fire in the area. There was no more threat of road closures in Columbia Icefield, and no more threat of not reaching our hotel at Jasper. :) It was a time to rejoice for us.

jumping for joy, no more hazy and smoky skies, no more wildfire

Our first day at Jasper, we were debating whether to hike at Parker Ridge Trail, or Columbia Icefield. So many places to hike, so little time.

@ the trailhead of Parker Ridge Trail

hiking Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park, AB, Canada

Undecided between the two above, hubby asked if what is in Columbia Icefield. Like everyone who has not been there, I told them of what I read during my trip planning,

"The Great Wall of China, the Statue of Liberty, the Pyramids of Egypt; every corner of the world has its must-see attraction… in the Canadian Rockies, it’s the Columbia Icefield!"

When I said that, hubby said right away, "let's do that then! Since we only have limited time, we don't want to miss the Canadian Rockies must-see!" So, obviously, off we went to Columbia Icefield for a glacier hike.

fun during our hike at Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park

The hike turned out to be one of our bests in Canadian Rockies. This hike was actually my hubby's niece favorite, mine was Bow Lake in Banff National Park, and hubby's is Mt. Edith Cavell, which is also part of Jasper National Park. You can find all these 3 favorites in my older post titled "Personal Favorites in Canadian Rockies".

After our glacier hiking, we were so high with happiness, but nature was so generous, that on our drive to our hotel, she kept us giving more surprises! Bear sightings! I don't want to see bears while hiking ( we always talk loud and carry bear spray to avoid bear encounters in our hike), but definitely, we wished to see them from the safe comforts of our rental car. Ahhh, and wish granted, we were greeted by bears. 

Black Bear

Grizzly Bear

By the way, I do have 400 mm zoom lens, thus the bears look close. Bears were busy eating berries in the wild while we were in the safety of our car, and with a park ranger who also happened to be on the same road as us and other park visitors in their cars as well. 

And if glacier hiking and bears were not enough, when we reached our hotel, we were greeted by parading elks ( sorry, no picture because camera was put away in luggage already ) and rainbow. The rainbow may be little, but it put big smiles on our faces, for it gave us high hopes of more beautiful days.

little rainbow that greeted us when we got to our hotel in Jasper

More beautiful days ahead of us indeed. The next day, Jasper National Park continued to awe us with experiences from Mt. Edith Cavell, Athabasca Falls and Maligne Canyon. 

hubby @ his favorite place in Canadian Rockies, Mt. Edith Cavell Glacier Pond

hubby's favorite: Mt. Edith Cavell Glacier Pond, Jasper National Park, AB, Canada

 It was awe, after awe, after awe. So hard to leave each place, yet, with the place so full of inspiring beauty, so hard also not to explore. Athabasca Falls ( there were several waterfalls that split here), was definitely one of the most awe inspiring waterfall I've ever been.

Athabasca Falls ( fed by Athabasca Glacier )

Athabasca Falls ( fed by Athabasca Glacier )

 From the waterfall, we walked down Athabasca Canyon, and we were greeted by this quiet beach below.

quiet beach after descending the Athabasca Canyon from the waterfalls

After experiencing the power of the roaring Athabasca Falls above the canyon, and experiencing the contrast of quietness below the canyon, it was such an experience. The contrast reminds me of how life on Earth takes different forms, and they are all uniquely beautiful. We did not want to leave. BUT, ahhh, so many places at Jasper awaits. We decided to move on, and luckily we did, for we were blessed with another treat! NESTING BALD EAGLES at Medicine Lake.

Nesting Bald Eagle ( with bald eagle chick )

Medicine Lake, Jasper National Park

Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park

So, in this trip, each time we were confused whether to just lazy, or to continue exploring, we tell ourselves,

"Keep walking, keep exploring, let nature awe and relax you every strep."

It was hectic yes, for we were most of the time exploring, but it was definitely a "good hectic". We're too blessed to be physically stressed. Thankful and grateful for we are given the health and an open mind and heart to explore the beauty of our world. 

On our third and last day at Jasper, before we moved to Lake Louise in Banff National Park, we explored Sunwapta Falls and Tangle Falls. 

Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park

can't help but stop to enjoy these pink wildflowers growing on river banks along the Columbia Icefield Parkway

Tangle Falls, Jasper National Park

Tangle Falls, Jasper National Park

Ahhhh, just so many inspiring and beautiful places in Canadian Rockies, so little time. After Jasper National Park, we did not have much expectations anymore, BUT, I found my favorite place in Canadian Rockies at Banff National Park, which is next in this series!

Let me end this post with the quote below,

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” — Rachel Carson

Come, let's move our feet in exploring our wonderful and beautiful world to uncover the reserves of strength you thought you  didn't have. 

♥♥