Camp Here: Wapiti in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

After spending five nights in Jasper National Park's Wapiti Campground, I was ready stay another ten. Maybe even more.

It's the first campground I've stayed at where I could see myself sticking around for an extended stay. It all started with our handpicked campsite, RR22, which sits at the very edge of along the Athabasca River. From this rather perfect campsite to the incredibly clean and updated facilities - Wapiti is where I'll be returning to on my next summer camping trip in the Canadian Rockies.

Trip Video: Canadian Rockies

I'm back from my blogging break and what better way to come back than with a bang! Specifically the bang of a brand new, albeit overdue, trip video. Making this video was my favorite editing experience to date - with so much footage to work with, I got to really whittle the clips down to the cream of the crop.

Scenes from Canada: Athabasca Falls

Yet another of the many rainbows we spotted during our time in Jasper National Park, at the most gorgeous section, at least in my opinion, of Athabasca Falls. Located at the southern end of a northern spur off Highway 93 (make sense? it's the Highway 93A spur just south of the Jasper township), the falls are crawling with tour buses and visitors. That being said, it's a beautiful spot and very much worth a stop - especially if you're interested in practicing some of your flowing water photography skills.

Hiking Wilcox Pass in Jasper National Park

Even after being chased off by strong winds and an incoming storm, Wilcox Pass is currently holding the title of my favorite day hike in the Canadian Rockies. Beginning just north of the Banff National Park border, this eight kilometer trail wanders through the forest and quickly emerges above the tree line to some outstanding views of surrounding peaks and glaciers.

Do, TravelAdina Marguerite PeaseNovember 25, 2013Canada, Jasper National Park, Hikes, Alberta Comments

Scenes from Canada: The Athabasca Glacier

We actually visited the Athabasca Glacier for the first time two years ago, took our chances and walked around on it. Returning this year, the glacier appeared to have changed quite a bit - it looked flatter, the river was larger, and walking on it was no longer tolerated, except on tours. So instead of exploring on top of the glacier - we wandered around the moraines spotting beautiful scene after beautiful scene.

Exploring Maligne Canyon

I admit, I'm getting spoiled by all the beautiful canyons I've had the opportunity to explore. So when it came time to hike up Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, all I could think of was getting down into the canyon rather than walking along the top. We hiked the trail backwards, starting low at Fifth Bridge and walking uphill to Second Bridge. This little rock outcropping we scrambled down to along the Maligne River, just past Fourth Bridge, may have been my favorite part of the entire 4.2 kilometers.

The draw of Maligne Canyon comes from a few different unique features. First, in some spots at the top of the canyon it's so narrow that squirrels jump across the 50 meter drop. Second, the way the canyon was carved is just fascinating. Beginning at Maligne Lake, the river flows to Medicine Lake where the water drains (almost completely by the winter time) into underground passages which make their way to Maligne Canyon. In the winter, it's possible to take a guided tour through the canyon when the water has all drained out (totally on my list to do now).

TravelAdina Marguerite PeaseOctober 14, 2013Alberta, Canada, Jasper National Park, Hikes Comments

Scenes from Canada: The Canadian Rockies & New Travel Rules

Spending two weeks road tripping and camping through the Canadian Rockies was both memorable in terms of the sights and experiences but also in the great learning moments. The conditions of our trip did not make things so easy - inclement weather, questionably advertised campsites, poisonous spiders - but, I'll tell you more about that next week.

An 8-Day Camping Itinerary

All month I've been sharing favorite camping spots, camping recipes, and other beautiful places to visit. Today, I'm pulling that all together into an itinerary for eight days of camping through two countries, three states, and two provinces.

Scenes from Alberta, Canada: Banff National Park

On Monday, I shared details about camping at Tunnel Mountain Village - not let me show you why you'll want to make a trip to Banff National Park.

TravelAdina Marguerite PeaseJune 14, 2013Alberta, Banff, Camping, Canada, Canadian Rockies, Scenes from CanadaComment

Camp Here: Tunnel Mountain Village I in Banff National Park, Alberta

Camping at Tunnel Mountain Village I (there is a separate area called Tunnel Mountain II) was my first experience as an adult staying in a Parks Canada campground and I have to say, Canada - I'm impressed. Our site, assigned to us upon arrival, was clean and very well kept. Even though the privacy wasn't all that great (it's a big campground), the neighbors were all friendly and considerate and the sites large enough that you won't feel crowded. The best part about Parks Canada campgrounds, including this one, is the clean bathrooms with hot water and showers! If you didn't get a sense for this in last week's Camp Here post, hot showers are my holy grail at campsites.

Stay, TravelAdina Marguerite PeaseJune 10, 2013Alberta, Banff, Camping, CanadaComment

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