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).
