We had an amazing trip this July with our good friends from Kelowna Scott and Dominika and their daughter Kasia plus her close friend Makayla. After a long tour east from Kelowna on the 24th with an adventure stop at the Enchanted forest plus numerous other breaks along the way, we finally received our guests around 10 o'clock that evening. It worked out really well though as they had a simple transition from the car down into the newly developed basement all made up for sleeping to settle in for a much needed rest after a busy day on the road.
The following day entailed topping up on any missing camping gear and groceries so we could be on the road in good time for the scenic drive north through the Icefields Parkway on to Jasper. If you've never driven this stretch of road, highway 93N, through the Rocky Mountains it is a must do trip. It's called The 'Icefields' Parkway because of the 100+ glaciers along that stretch of the Rockies, and is often quoted from websites stating; "To travel the Icefields Parkway is to experience one of Canada's national treasures and most rewarding destinations. Stretching 232km (144mi.) through the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, this world-class journey offers access to a vast wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers and broad sweeping valleys. This special travel route winds its way through two national parks, boasting a unique and irreplaceable landscape rich in history and natural beauty second to none." I am still awe struck every time I travel through this area.
Once we arrived in Jasper we were booked in for 3 nights of camping at the Wapiti campground just before the north, Jasper Park Gate, and it was an exciting but nervous time for Dominika as she had not camped much before and the thought of bears in the forest had her on guard. She was a little more reassured once she saw others tenting in the campground so she knew it would all work out just fine.
We really enjoyed their company and it was so nice to have another family to camp with and spend time with in the mountains exploring some of the attractions that Jasper has to offer.
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| I guess we didn't feed Helerin enough this morning! |
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| Buckling up and ready to head off |
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| Anni just checking the load on the trailer. Mainly to assure her bike was still there |
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| mama Black bear and her cub topping up on Buffalo berries along the Maligne Lake Road |
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| Daddy and his sweet little Helerin waiting to board the Maligne Lake Boat Tour we were about to embark on |
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| Here we go! |
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| We got a few family photos taken here with a variety of backgrounds including one with the elusive, rarely spotted, Mr. Scott!! |
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| Great picture with Makayla (L) and Kasia (R) |
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| This picture is of Spirit Island which has special Native importance and history. A highlight of the boat tour. No hiking is allowed on the island. |
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| Anni taking it all in |
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| We got to hang out on the back of the boat as we headed back to the boathouse |
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| The next few photos are taken from the Maligne Canyon trail |
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| Hangin' back at the campsite |
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| Scotty showing off his photogenicness |
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| Swimming and playing on the beach at Lake Annette |
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| Dominika, Kasia, and Makayla walked out quite far on this sand bar |
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| The rain wasn't going to stop Helerin from playing |
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| Anni made up some delicious mud/sand pies. |
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| Frisbee with the girls |
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| No, I haven't been working out |
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| That's our Helerin! Loves her food :) |
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| Bacon over an open fire. Tough to beat the smokey goodness of that meal! |
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| Wapiti is another name for Elk. Here they showing us why the campground was named Wapiti! |
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| We did a nice hike in the Mount Edith Cavell area |
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| Angel glacier hanging above on Mount Edith Cavell |
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| Nice shot of the 3 Kelowna ladies :) |
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| Rock Pika |
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| Dad and Helerin selfie |
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The almost melted Cavell glacier also feeding into Cavell lake alongside the waterfall
coming from meltwater off the Angel glacier |
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| Mountain Fireweed |
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| Partridgefoot |
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| Partridgefoot with a lone Bluebell Bellflower |
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| Four-Angled Mountain-Heather |
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| Seep-Spring Arnica |
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| Pale Gentian amongst a bed of Four-Angled Mountain-Heather |
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| Tuckered right out |
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| Helerin's not waiting for the bush pies when she has the good part right in front of her! |
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| Spoon full of pie filling in one hand, watermelon rind in the other |
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| Stretch break at Mosquito Creek. This is were Karolin and I first camped |
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| Another break at Takkakaw Falls |
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| Common Selfheal |
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