Day 32: Zion National Park

Zion National Park

We took the shuttle into the park this morning. Adam picked up another Junior Ranger booklet, so he was a happy hiker today as well.

We took in another Ranger talk. This time about the early history of the park. How they made the one mile tunnel and what the early tourists encountered when they arrived.

Then, we went on the shuttle up to the furthest point and got off. It happened to be the Temple of Sunwava. There was a nice riverwalk stroll that we took along with everyone else was happened to be visiting Zion today. It was crowded. 

We learned about 3 million people visit Zion each year. I can see why.

The walk was about 2 miles round trip. Not too bad for us. It was a paced path with very little incline. 

The Virgin River

At the end, some people continue hiking into the Narrows, which crosses the river and up the narrow canyon.

We chose to eat our lunch and watch them....

Afterwards, we took the shuttle back down and stopped at various points called, The Grotto, Weeping Wall, and Zion Lodge.

Adam had to find out all sorts of interesting facts, such as whose face is engraved in the plaque at the Museum Center? 

Stephen Mather.

What type of tree is in front of the Zion Lodge?

Cottonwood.

Who were the Court of the Patriachs named after?

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

We also took another short trail at the Zion Lodge called the Lower Emerald Pools Trail. It was about a mile long. We saw all sorts of creatures. tarantulas, deer, lizards, and squirrels. 

  Natalie and Adam have been taking many of today's pictures. 

Then we took the shuttle back to the visitor's center so Adam could be sworn in as a JR. Ranger.

Another happy boy. 

We ordered take out pizza. 

All are tired and need some rest. 

Day 23 and day 24: Jasper Tramway and Lake Maligne

Jasper Tramway

We are slowing down as some members have gotten colds and are feeling run down. 

Natalie and I decided to drive up to the Jasper Tramway and take the tram up to the top of the mountain. (Just to see what we could see)

Someone said they saw a bear and a cougar the other day from the tram.

Looking into the valley

Mt. Robson in the distance

at the top of the tram station

People hiking all over the top.

I had to take breaks all the time to catch my breath. 

Mine, not Natalie's 

feeling on top of the world

In the distance, you can see the Athabasca River and the Icefield parkway. This is the same river where the glacier drains into the river.

rocks covered with lichen

the town of Jasper

It was a beautiful morning and the sun was shinning. visibility was fantastic. 

Day 24:

Maligne Lake

We drove up to Maligne Canyon and Maligne Lake, which was about 48km from Jasper townsite. 

Years and years of erosion have cut this canyon deep.

Something about these wild elk. They just don't cooperate with me taking their pictures.

Medicine Lake, which drains through underground channels every fall. It fills back up in the spring when the snows melt.

The Indians thought it was magic.

Maligne Lake.

We opted not to take the boat cruise.

The drive back into Jasper. This mountain is called the Endless Chain. I can see why. It looked like a movie backdrop. 

Tomorrow, we hit the road again. This time, we're heading back south and toward Montana via Roosville Border Crossing. 

In a few days we'll be at Glacier National Park. 

Day 22: How Natalie met the Athabasca Glacier

The Columbia Icefield and

Jasper National Park

Total Miles: 155

Total Distance:3065

Our Route:

Today, we left Lake Louise campground and drove about an hour up to the Columbia Icefield on Hwy 93. 

The scenic drive was one of the best I've ever seen. It's absolutely fantastic.

Once at the Icefield, we took the Brewster Ice Explorers out onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. 

Natalie found one of the many holes on the glacier surface and stepped into it up to her calf. 

It was cold. She said her foot went numb. 

The glacier surface is dangerous and is constantly moving.

Then we drove on up to Jasper National Park for the evening. 

We stayed at Whistlers Campground, where we found many elk around the campsites. Even coming out of the bathhouse last night, we found a female elk munching on grass right outside the door. It was quite an experience. Not one we are used to. It was quite entertaining watching the ladies come out of the bathhouse and stop short, not knowing whether to move on or stay put. The male elks are very aggressive this time of year and we were cautioned about not getting in between the male and female elks. So we have been very careful about wandering around the campground at evening and night. We also received much information about bear proofing the campsites.