Wicked But Stunning (Jasper National Park, Canada)

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The tiny township of Jasper in the north of Alberta, Canada is the ideal base for a number of day trips into the travel wonder of Jasper National Park. One of the highlights is a trip along Maligne Lake Road that tracks for around fifty kilometres finishing at the namesake lake.

Only a few kilometres outside of Jasper, Maligne Canyon is deep and narrow with heavy stratified sides. While busy near the entrance, the numbers soon drop away as a superb hike meanders along the top of the canyon criss-crossing from side to side across six narrow bridges. Waterfalls tumble and the water gushes in parts giving some clue as to the savage erosion that has left a canyon over 50 metres deep in parts yet only a few metres across.

The limestone rock gives rise to a remarkable geological history that includes the area being a tropical sea many millions of years ago. Indeed, the name maligne granted to a river, lake and canyon comes from a French missionary who used the French word for wicked in describing the rushing river and the difficulty in crossing this natural barrier.

Nearby is the picturesque Medicine Lake, a spiritual place for the Indians. This remarkable lake has no river outlet and is only present in the warmer months. With only a small drainage hole beneath the surface, the volume of melting snow and ice over spring and summer overwhelms the drainage filling the lake and reflecting the beautiful surrounding mountain vista. As the water flows slow into autumn, the drainage catches up until the lake disappears over the colder months. This natural phenomenon mystified the local Indian tribes giving rise to spiritual stories and its modern name.

The road follows the rapid currents of the icy blue-green Maligne River coming to an end at Maligne Lake. Small boats with narrative ply the long narrow glacial lake travelling two-third of its length to tiny Spirit Island. Flanked by towering mountains, trickling waterfalls and meandering glaciers, this pleasant water cruise unveils stunning alpine views.

The area is rich in wildlife. On my visit, black bears, mule deer, elk, bald eagles and small squirrels were all spotted along the road or at the lake.

The travel wonder of Jasper National Park is quieter than neighbouring Banff National Park and contains stunning views of the Rockies, glorious turquoise lakes, gushing waterfalls from the glacial melt and enthralling wildlife. No road summarises the natural beauty of the area than a trip along Maligne Lake Road.

Other Canada Posts
The Twenty Dollar View (Lake Louise)
Polar Bear Splendour (Churchill)
Beyond the Bears (Churchill)
The Spiritual Medicine Lake (Jasper)
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Banff)
Johnston Canyon