A very cold Jasper, Maligne Canyon, Road & Lake

Last night we checked in to HI Hostel in Jasper, and it was an absolutely cracking decision (Amelia’s I must admit). Not for just avoiding the cold (-14 degrees) but for creature comforts like warm showers, warm toilets, a warm sink, a bed, actual walls, I won’t go on. We’re here because of the ridiculous temperatures but I think it’s going to be a great break between the stints in the campervan. It’s not that we don’t love Kevin, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this trip without him, but the temperature dropping so much overnight is at best uncomfortable, at worst dangerous, so we’re being sensible.

I had an absolute stormer of a sleep, Amelia not so much. She complained it was too hot. You really can’t please everyone can you? (I joke). After getting up pretty late and having a very leisurely breakfast we hit the road toward Maligne Canyon, Road and Lake (whether pronounced [ma-lig-ne] or [ma-lign] we still don’t know, Satnav says the former, we’ve been saying the latter, fascinating I know). The road between the canyon and lake is meant to have a plethora of animal life, so I was crossing everything that we’d finally meet a bear. 

Maligne Canyon is possibly the most impressive of the canyons we’ve visited, although Mistaya is still way out in front in my favourites list. I’ll have to do an actual list of my favourite lakes, canyons and waterfalls in Canada. Another super interesting post idea (sarcasm is difficult to detect in text isn’t it?). It’s been ridiculously cold overnight so it was just slightly magical walking around, and after a few slips and slides realised our plan for a proper hike up the bald hills later may be unwise, so we went on a longer walk at the canyon to the sixth bridge, which wasn’t really worth it but at least we got to stretch our legs and warm up. 

Jumping back in the camper we set off towards Maligne Lake. I won’t repeat it again but it’s cold, very cold, so the road was pretty icy and I was slightly trepidatious on driving down it, however the promise of seeing wildlife spurred us on and we eventually made it to Maligne Lake. If you imagine a winter wonderland, get it in your head now; the scenery we were driving through was much better than that, throw in a few elk (we think) and it was well worth the concerning road conditions. Still no bears through. My drivers side door was frozen shut by the time we got to the Lake, so Amelia shoulder barged her’s until it opened. Mine still didn’t open when we got back in the evening which may be slightly concerning. After lunch (wrap, crisps, apple, cereal bar) We spent a very brief few minutes walking to the edge of the lake and back, which was all we could manage in the weather conditions. On the way back we saw more elk and deer (maybe?) but to our great frustration still no bears. We were promised them in Canada! Where are they?! 

We took a short drive over to Pyramid Lake where there was more deer (or elk? Need a guide book) then just took a bit of a walk to see the Jasper town itself and headed back to the hostel. This evenings activities include washing, which isn’t as desperate as before but is much needed. Sitting here on a sofa, in the warm, just having had a very large bowl of pasta is making me slightly nervous a reentering campervan life properly tomorrow. In the same vein I can’t wait.