Wednesday 17 June 2015

Jasper


 Leaving a wet and dreary Edmonton we travelled on the straight, long roads to Jasper National Park. However, no sooner had we arrived in the Park than the clouds cleared to reveal my first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.


We stopped to look at some mountain goats and sheep





This is a strange photo as it looks as though the goat is giving birth!








The sheep blended in so well with the craggy cliffs that it was difficult to see them.




We followed the  Athabasca River down into the town of Jasper. Passing through the town we saw the Rocky Mountaineer train, which was my original plan for viewing the mountains. How much better to be in a car and to stop wherever we like.




 As the weather was looking good we decided to take a cable car up Mount Jasper. Once out of the cable car you can walk another 400m to the top. There was a lot of snow around the cafe/cable car but a path had been created through the snow. It was nowhere near this deep once we left the confines of the cafe area.














Once at the top, there were great views of the surrounding peaks.








It was 5.30 when we walked back to get the cable car but due to the wind we were told  they were delaying going down for 15-20 mins. Spent the time admiring the views down in the valley including the bird's eye view of the long trains wending their way alongside the river.












 We were amongst 35 people that were stranded. The wind was gusting at over 60kph and needed to be below 40kph for us to get down. We were provided with free food and hot drinks and just as we thought we would be spending the night up there, the wind dropped and we were able to go down.




It was after 9pm by the time we checked into our log cabin a couple of miles outside the town of Jasper.






About 10m from the cabin was the river with some spectacular views but the light was fading.







Marilyn spent the evening getting to grips with a bear banger. A pen like noise making deterrent. Maybe bear spray would have been the easier option!






16 comments:

  1. Despite the delay...what gorgeous scenery.

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  2. Oooh...not sure if I could handle going on that cable car. Nevertheless, it is certainly beautiful and snow too...!

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  3. Rocky Mountains look so nice with its nature

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  4. What spectacular scenery! And how exciting almost greeting stuck at the top! But I'm pleased and I'm sure that you are relieved that the wind dropped.

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  5. Wow, what an awesome trip! The scenic views of the Rocky mountains are just awesome. Sorry you got stuck for awhile. I like the cute cabin. Thanks for sharing, enjoy your day!

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  6. Nothing like starting right off with an adventure! The cabin looks cozy and woodsy and I hope to hear you didn't need the bear banger at all!

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  7. You did make it to Jasper! I hope you got to Maligne Lake (I hope I'm remembering the name) It was still frozen when we were there. We too choose to rent a car rather than take the train. It is beautiful country!

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    1. Well wow you got some added adventure there free of charge! But I'm glad it didn't extend into an all-nighter. Gorgeous photography.

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  8. What a cute cabin. Scary to be stuck up there...but you will have a story to tell when you get home.

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  9. Glad you were able to get down off that windy mountain. I just love the national parks in that part of Canada.

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  10. Cute cabin! Phew on that wind, good thing it died down for you to go back down. Beautiful views!

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  11. I see on a map what you mean about it being a long straight road. Will we need a bear banger or spray? It looks like The Doctor's sonic screwdriver. I can see I will be reading your Canada tales as we are experiencing our own.

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  12. What a chance you had to take the picture of the birth ! The landscape is beautiful, a lot of snow ! What an adventure !

    I made a post about the Hougoumont farm and the Bivouacs of the British soldiers on http://gattinatravels.blogspot.com/ in case you are interested. Yesterday Prince Charles and Camilla where here !

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  13. Now that was a real adventure. I am glad to know that they didn't try to get you off the mountain in unsafe conditions. I love your pretty little log cabin, too. :-)

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