Jasper National Park

Entering Jasper National Park

We headed southwest from Edmonton along a beautiful 4 lane road. Soon the rain had stopped and within a couple of hours we could see mountains in the distance. Then after coming over the top of a hill, we were in them! We entered Jasper National Park a few miles further along and started following a river. The road never got too steep, we soon found out that Jasper while surrounded by mountains of about 8000 feet is only up about 3500 feet. By 2:30, we arrived at Whistler Campground with over 400 sites, but since it is a Saturday, it’s lucky we had a reservation, the campground will be full tonight.

Pyramid Mountain and Lake

After setting up camp, we went into Jasper to visit the park information office and get some local road and trail maps. On our way out, we were greeted by a gentleman who told us the story of the building (built as the park office and a home) in about 1914. At the time, the only way you could get here was by train. In fact, the road from Edmonton wasn't completed until the mid-1960’s and the road west in the mid-1970’s. After they created the park, people from other towns along the railroad, but in the park were asked to move to Jasper. The train not only transported their goods, but also their house to Jasper. We did a short drive and walk to Pyramid Lake. Behind the lake is the sight of Pyramid mountain, a colorful mountain with streaks of brown and gold (actually pyrite) in the grey stone.