Jasper National Park

Campground Office

Marie & Eric about to pull out - pretty grounds

Our first visit to Jasper

Downtown Jasper

Christmas Shop in Patricia St

Cafe with a view - Maligne Lake

Magnificent Elk

A rainbow and some crazy tourists at Athabasca Falls

Marie & I play with the bears

Our Jasper farewell - in the same spot as the elk below were playing earlier

You might have to click on this to see the elk here

The Cassiar Hwy connects with the Yellowhead Hwy and we had 2 nights en route, stopping at Houston and McBride. As you can see some campground owners who go to a lot of trouble to make their grounds bright and welcoming. Our destination was Jasper National Park, and little did we know that we arrived on a holiday weekend. Fortunately we were able to get a campsite, and couldn't wait to hook up then go out and explore the area. First stop was the visitors' center to pick up some local maps, then we headed out to Maligne Lake. Such a beautiful setting and some tasty pastries to taste while we enjoyed the scenery. We were thrilled to see a magnificent elk, plus other elk, black bear and a mountain goat on the first day. Probably one of our best wildlife spotting days apart from our experience with the Katmai grizzlies. We had a light lunch in town, and wonders never cease, there just happened to be a Christmas Shop across the road. Marie couldn't resist catching the joy on my face.

The next day we took a drive out to visit the Athabasca Falls which had numerous paths with viewing platforms. We had no sooner read the notice about the number of deaths that occur because viewers ignore the signs to stay on the path, when we saw several tourists trying to get close to the falls for a good photo. It is very easy to see how they could easily fall to their death, as the waterfall splash is of varying heights and is unpredictable from minute to minute. On the way we stopped to take a photo of a pack of 3 coyotes stalking one poor squirrel. The squirrel lost. We also saw a black bear. Earlier that day Eric had taken a bike ride and discovered another nice lake and the Jasper Lodge, so we all went there for a drive. As we pulled up an elk was between the car park and the entrance to the lodge. Inside the lodge were several stuffed black bear, and Marie and I got up close & personal. On our first morning Marie was up bright & early and was excited to see some elk cavorting right in front of our RV's - she tried to look to see if there was any sign of life in our RV so that we could enjoy the elk's antics too, but she had to settle for showing us her photos & video later.