I'm a born and raised Calgarian.
We are far and few between. Calgary seems to be full of transplants.
I only visited Lake Louise for the first time, about 8 years ago. I've skied Louise many times, it's one of my favourite hills. But I'd never ventured to the other side of the highway. Since that first time, [which happened to be a wedding, which was amazing] we've been back quite a few times. We've checked out the ice magic festival. We've skated on the lake. We've warmed up with extremely expensive hot chocolate inside the Fairmont Lake Louise. We've hiked up to Agnes Tea house and fought for a spot to have an extremely expensive cup of tea/hot chocolate and scones. We've checked out the gorgeous larch colours and started up the hike to the plain of six glaciers. Though we realized we weren't ready for the weather that was changing right before our very eyes, so we turned back.
We have also just recently, as in the last couple of years, visited Moraine Lake, which is one of the prettiest vistas I've ever seen. It's iconic.
But, getting back to the point of this post, last weekend, I made my first trip to Jasper. [Apparently I was there as a two year old, but have no memory of that visit at all] I went with Madelyn's new guiding unit, as a parent helper. An extra set of hands. We stayed in... Wait for it... A hostel. We stayed in a hostel.
That alone, is quite an experience. I did stay in a hostel in Banff once, back with my girl guide unit, we took the train to Banff, stayed in a hostel, and rode a bus back to Calgary. I have very little memory of it. Except to remember that it did indeed happen.
What can I say about staying in a hostel... We stayed in a bunk room, with 14 bunk beds. 28 women. And it was full. Not a bed to be had. A hostel is a little bit like a ski resort. As in, you bring your lunch bag, full of lunch, to the hill, and leave it in the lodge. And when you come in to have lunch, it's still there. And while you come in to have your lunch, you leave your skis and poles outside, against the ski racks. And when you come back out after eating, your skis and poles are still there...
So, it's a little bit of the honour system. And for the most part, people are pretty honourable. Having said that, I didn't take anything of value. Though I would love to have had my DSLR camera, I didn't bring it with me, because I didn't want to leave it in the hostel, or in the vehicle.
Jasper itself was a bit smaller and much less commercialized than I'd expected. The main street with shops etc, was one block long. We prepared all our meals at the hostel, so didn't have an opportunity to check out any places in town. I did however, get my Timmy's coffee in Jasper. Lucky me.
We had a jam packed schedule.
We arrived late Friday night, it was dark by the time we got there. Thankfully we had light until the Columbia Icefields. Here are a few photos of our time spent there.
A shot of the dorm room... Got it with no one in there, not easy.
So thankful Madelyn took a top bunk, allowing me to take the bottom. The top bunks were at least 5 feet high. Actually, more like 6. Again, thankful I didn't have to make my way up there.
Downtown Jasper, near the train station. The girls did a fun scavenger hunt. They had to find things their list, and text photos of proof back to the leader. This was clue number one, find the train.
Love these older buildings. This is the building the Friends of Jasper work out of. Lots of great info can be found here. Would love to have more time to explore.
Maligne Canyon.
The hike down Malingne Canyon, to the various bridges was great. It started off a little bit cool, but once we got moving, it was perfect. The canyon was so deep. It was so neat to see.
Taking a rest.
Trail selfie with Mum.
This is at Medicine Lake. The area suffered a forest fire two years ago, it's still very desolate looking.
The landscape with the burnt trees and yellow grasses was beautiful.
Madelyn, posing with her inukshuk.
Mad's inukshuk. Mine was just a tower of rocks.
The girls outside the hostel. This place was absolutely Madelyn's cup of tea. She loved everything about it, except the people that used flashlights in the room at night. That was extremely annoying... But in the common rooms, she was ready to chat up anyone who would chat back.
Headed back home on Sunday. The colours... They were breathtaking.
Quick stop at Athabasca Falls.
The colour contrast the blue water and yellowish rocks, is so pretty.
Another photo with Mum at the mouth of where the falls come out.
Awesome view and colours captured in this photo.
There is something about rushing water, that is humbling.
Quick restroom and lunch stop at Columbia Icefield. Would love to come back and check it out. It's on the bucket list for next year.
Madelyn and a mountain goat. If it was alive, she'd want the same pose.
Out my window.
Bow Lake, another place I'd like to take some time to explore.
Many photos were taken out the car window, as we were driving. The highway was so beautiful. And the the photos in no way, do justice to what it actually looked like. The leaves were all changing, it was just so darn pretty. Do yourself a favour, and if you've never been on that highway before, add it to your bucket list.
We will absolutely be making a trip back at some point.
