Jasper

Jasper was a cold and busy stay.  We ended up staying an extra day after a winter storm Saturday/Sunday left us a little nervous about mountain driving.  Hwy 16 and Hwy 5 (the route from Jasper – Kamloops) would take us through the mountains, including Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies (typically and thankfully, the roads were perfect – bone dry, without a drop of snow or ice and sunshine the whole way).

Anyways, back to Jasper: Day 1 we decided to check Patricia and Pyramid Lakes off the list, along with the Maligne Canyon and Falls.  We were also treated to a herd of elk grazing and resting alongside the road; it was really cool!  (Even though we have yet to see a grizzly, much to J’s dismay, the elk were a nice little wildlife fill in the interim).

Sand and snow at Patricia Lake

Patricia Lake

Pyramid Lake

Summer and winter at Pyramid Lake

Maligne Canyon - we didn't get too many photos at the canyon

Day 2: Athabasca Falls!  The falls were absolutely stunning, but unfortunately our enthusiasm soon began to wane in the freezing cold temperatures (hello -18!).  Numb fingers and toes made the photo taking process a lot less fun, but we did manage to grab a few photos before making our way back into town and to the bakery for hot chocolate and biscotti.  The icy roads also gave us a chance to practice for today’s trek through the mountains, little did we know, the roads through the mountains were some of the best we’ve seen yet.  Oh well, better safe than sorry.

Athabasca Falls

A friendly macro-shot competition: who can take the better photo of a wild rosehip?  I'll let you be the judge (but there's only one correct answer).

Snowy Christmas trees!

Sadly, the poor state of the roads (yesterday) prevented us from making it all the way to the glacier/Columbia ice field, but that just gives us an excuse to visit Jasper again! Maybe in the summer, next time…