The Trip South on the Parkway Going Home!

On the day we left, the weather was marvelous. It was the best weather that we had the entire time we were in Jasper. It had rained the night before in Jasper and it had snowed in the valley. We didn't stop, but we did get some great pictures from the RV. It is always nice when you have to leave.

Enjoy!

The Valley of the Five Lakes!!

Beautiful Water!
The Bottom!

Turquoise!
Turquoise!
Resting Hiker!

Look at the Bottom!
Ditto!
Grooming American Dipper!!

The day before we left, we took a five mile hike in an area where there are five small lakes. The water in the lakes reflects the minerals that are suspended in the water; and because of the different depths and the crystal clear water, they were absolutely beautiful.

At one point we were on the trail about forty feet above one of the lakes looking down into the water. We were able to see the bottom as though there was no water at all. We saw a bird we think was an American Dipper. This bird dives to the bottom in search of food. From our vantage point on the trail, we were able to see the bird dive and we were able to follow it along the bottom of the lake. I hope the pictures captured the beauty of the water. This was a beautiful hike and a great experience. We met a couple from Yorkshire England on the trail and managed to have a very interesting political conversation regarding the Iraq War and the US elections. Our conclusions were that everyone should vote for the conservative candidate.

This was a cool hike, enjoy the pics.

Our Elk Pictures

Fawns! Probably Twins!
Fawns and Moms!
Nap time!
This is the Aggressive one! The picture was taken from the inside!

Resting!
Out the front window of the RV!
Out the front window of the RV!
Fawns at play!

Between Yellowstone NP, Teton NP, and Jasper NP we have seen many elk. It is calving time in Jasper and the park employees warned everyone that the cows get pretty aggressive this time of year. We did get some pictures of a few calves with their moms and a few that were just relaxing around the campground. There is a herd that apparently spends a good deal of time in the campground. I have some pictures out of my front window on the RV.

The day we were leaving I was outside taking care of the plumbing when I heard a noise behind me. I turned around and twenty feet away was this beautiful cow elk. I said hello in a nice quiet voice just before she charged me. I ducked behind this tiny tree that was near the RV as she continued to be very aggressive toward me. She would jump forward then retreat a little, each time getting a little closer. I waited for a minute until she decided to move away. When she was about forty feet away, I went back to the business of plumbing. When I looked up she was coming at me again. This time I decided that inside the RV was safer than behind a four inch tree.

There is one picture of this unfriendly elk. When I went back outside I saw a young couple walking by in the direction of the elk. I told them what had just happened and cautioned them not to get too close. About a minute later I looked across the campground and there they were behind two trees with the same elk in their face about three feet away. She eventually decided to wonder off but I think they both had to take care of their own plumbing problems after their encounter.

All of these pictures were taken in the campground but we did see deer and elk in other parts of the park.

Enjoy.

Athabasca Falls - The Backpacker

French Backpacker!

Read about the water colors!

Grows as part of the spruce trees!

The day after the Icefields, we took a couple of smaller hikes between the raindrops. We did see a black bear on one of the back roads; and talked to a young backpacker from France who was taking a summer break from the University in Montreal.

We visited Athabasca Falls that same day. The water is turquoise color and it is really cool what the eroding water has done to the rock along the river.

Wildlife on the Parkway

Bighorn Sheep!
Mountain Goat!
Mountain Goats!

Bighorn!
Here he comes!
Working the horns!
Bighorn!

On our way back from the Icefields, we were also lucky enough to view some of the wildlife that is prevalent in the Park. These animals have grown up with the tourists and are really not afraid in any way. The Bighorn Sheep walked within ten feet of the car just after I jumped back in from my camera shoot. They were grazing in my direction and I don't think they liked me getting close.

Most of the good pictures you see are courtesy of Eileen. The Mountain Goats are the only ones I have ever seen in the wild. Most of the animals are loosing their winter coats, and many of them are a little mangy. The elk were this way when we started seeing them last month but they are finished now.

Enjoy the Pic's.

Sunwapta Falls Hike

On the way back from the Columbia Icefields, we stopped at one of the many waterfalls that you can visit in the area. We hiked a couple of miles along the Athabasca River to view a number of waterfalls and rapids. Good exercise and beautiful views.

Columbia Icefield

Icefields Above the Glaciers (They go for 25 kilometers)
Melt Water on the Glacier

Eileen's new Friend (RCMP)
Round Glacier
It's June 2008
The Glacier Buses

The Icefields from the Road

Bill's New Friend (RCMP)

From the Icefield Museum and ticket hall, you take a shuttle bus up to the edge of the glacier where you then board the big glacier buses. They drive you up the glacier which is 300 feet thick at the point where you get out to walk around and take pictures. Walking outside of the parking area was discouraged but many people do cross the flowing water to get a closer look. They may be receding but they are still very impressive. With the snow pack so large this year I don't think there will be much recession in these glaciers.