Travel Articles And News On Vacations

Jasper  Travel to Canadas Rocky Mountain Paradise

Mention the Canadian Rockies, and most people instantly think of Banff. As the main tourist destination in the Rockies, Banff is very much a commercial town geared to tourism. But for those who like their Rockies a little quieter, 250 kilometers north is paradise - the town of Jasper.

July and August are the peak times to visit Jasper, but if you don't mind colder weather and like your lakes frozen, you can avoid some of the tourists by visiting in the few months either side. The weather can be haphazard, so allow a little flexibility in your plans.

Six kilometers south of Jasper is Whistler Mountain. If you visit early or late in the day, you will most likely hear the melodic sounds made by the whistling marmots living on the lower slopes of the mountain. Early birds can also get cheaper tickets on the Whistler Mountain gondola. The terminus is at 2,500m, with spectacular views south to the Columbia Ice fields, and west to Mount Robson.

For those who prefer to look up at mountains, there are plenty of beautiful lakes close to town, all surrounded by snow topped peaks. Patricia and Pyramid Lakes, 8km north-west of town, are small and quiet. They have beaches just begging for picnickers to sit on them and admire the view after a tranquil lunch. Herds of elk and deer roam the area, and if you're very lucky, you may spot a coyote or a black bear.

Maligne Lake is south of Jasper, and is the largest of the glacier fed lakes. A boathouse from the 1920s completes the storybook setting. There are a couple of excellent hikes in the area, taking full advantage of the beautiful scenery.

Nearby is Maligne Canyon, a narrow cleft through the rocks filled with roaring water during the spring thaw. It's also home to a very active herd of big horn sheep, which can jump out of nowhere to startle tourists.

For those visitors who like more leisurely pursuits, it is possible to swim in Lakes Annette and Edith near town. Situated at around 1000m, they are popular during the summer months, although it's still not advisable to take a lengthy swim in the icy waters.

After a few hard days of sightseeing, go for a leisurely drive about 40km towards Edmonton. At the sleepy little town of Pocahontas (she certainly got around!) take the turnoff to Miette Hot Springs. The renovated spas contain two pools, and are a welcome respite for tired bodies. On the way there you may be lucky enough to see mountain goats beside the road, although they're more likely to be perched on a cliff high above you.

Another excellent drive is route 93A, which was the original road heading out of Jasper towards Banff. Now preserved as a scenic route, the road offers a number of interesting stops. Keep your eyes open, particularly during the quieter times early and late in the day, because wild life abounds here. Mother bears with their cubs have been seen chomping on berries right beside the road!

The aptly named "Meeting of the Waters" marks the place where two rivers join together. During the spring thaw this meeting can make for spectacular waterworks. Further along, it is worth taking the time to visit Moab Lake. A pleasant walk ends with the magnificently sited lake, mountains hovering in the background.

Skiers visiting in winter will certainly want to make the trip to Marmot Basin, a popular ski resort south of Jasper on 93A. In summer, however, it looks much the same as any other deserted ski field, except for the breathtaking scenery.

One of the final stops before the road rejoins the main highway is the Athabasca Falls. A raging torrent in spring, the fierce waters tumble and crash over hundreds of smoothed boulders. The adventurous can explore further up the river, but wear shoes with a good grip.

When the time comes to leave Jasper, there are two major routes. Those who arrived by train can continue their journey either east to Edmonton and on across the Canadian plains, or west to Vancouver. This route takes you on one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world, with incredible scenery in every direction.

For those travelling by car, allow plenty of time to explore the 230km Ice fields Parkway which connects Jasper to Banff, with a slight detour to Lake Louise. The road follows a valley through the Eastern Mountain Ranges, and offers spectacular scenery and plenty of wildlife. By the end of the day you'll probably have a stiff neck from craning upwards to see the view.

The Sunwapta Falls are set in chunky terraces of rock, and it's worth taking a short stroll to the viewing platform. Peyton Lake is a beautiful glacial lake, but should only be visited when the snow clears, otherwise the gentle uphill stroll can become a mammoth battle through waist high snow drifts.

Another beautiful stop is the Tangle Falls. Intrepid visitors can do some exploring here, rewarded by a close up look at the rushing waters. The best known stop, however, is Athabasca Glacier. This glacier has been steadily retreating for years, and there are date markers so you can see the gradual regression. It is possible to take a truck ride on the ice, or you can simply walk from the car park. Be warned - the weather can change very rapidly during your visit, so be prepared.

The Weeping Wall is particularly interesting after or during rain, with thousands of tiny waterfalls pouring down its rough faces. And for those nature lovers with a penchant for moose, try visiting Waterfowl Lake at either end of the day. It's home to a number of these huge creatures.

The Ice fields Parkway continues on to Lake Louise, the magnificent setting for scenes in the movie "The Bodyguard". Finally the road reaches Banff, leaving the peace and quiet of the wilder Jasper behind for good.

Exploring the Canadian Rockies is a must for lovers of rugged, mountain scenery. For those who want to experience the Rockies and its wildlife as closely as possible to how it would have been centuries ago, Jasper is the perfect base. The Rockies are waiting for you.

For More Free Resources visit www.tours-guide.com

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

Las Vegas Vacation Fun Stuff, Did You Know?
Las Vegas Vacation Fun Stuff, Did You Know?

Planning For Travel With Diabetes And Insulin
Travel can be a lot of fun, but it takes some advance planning. People with diabetes have to plan a little more. Here are a few things to keep in mind about your insulin when you head out for that dream vacation.

India Travel Destination Tips
Are you in search of a vacation spot where you can find a lot of tourist places? Well, if you are, perhaps it's time you visit India. Tourists from different countries flood India and the main reason is because it offers fascinating and attractive tourist places that is so rich in history, culture, heritage, peoples, and sightseeing. You will surely need some travel destination tips when you visit India in order to have the best vacation ever.

Why You Should Consider Salzburg For Your Next Vacation
Located to the North of the Alps and along the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg, Austria, is a city that lies around three hundred kilometres from Vienna and boasts everything from charm and culture to history and beauty. You will find Salzburg just one hundred and fifty kilometres to the east of Munich, so the city enjoys a convenient location between major areas and amidst breathtaking beauty and landscapes. From rolling mountain scenery to fabulous architecture towards the inner city, there is plenty to explore and take in when you visit this destination. Admire the fabulous architecture of the baroque towers and churches that adorn the city, admire the cathedral, and visit the many historical points of significance nearby such as Ea...

Turn The Road Trip Of Your Dreams Into Tax-Deductible Business Travel: Seven Offbeat Ideas
Itching to travel far away or stay away for a long time? Drastically cut the impact of the costs by having a legitimate business purposes for your trip and deducting the travel expenses from your taxes. Check with your own tax advisor first, of course, before you go, and consider these seven offbeat ideas.

Top 5 B2B Travel Magazines, Accordiing to MinOnline -- Not Traveling Light in March
Are travel agents dead? Not according to Lorri Robbins, publisher of Miami-based Recommend magazine, one of the leading national travel industry magazines. And indeed, the just-released Ypartnership 2008 National Leisure Travel Monitor report shows that traditional travel agents are not dead at all.

Re-Connecting Through Family Adventure Travel
Family adventure travel provides families with opportunity to reconnect while exposing them to different cultures and areas around the world.

Find Cheap And The Best Family Vacation Deal
To plan a good family vacation is no mean task. The budget part has to be clearly worked out in advance so as to avoid disappointment later.

Eurail Train Travel: Luxury at Speed
You can effectively extend a touring holiday of Europe by several days and perhaps save money. To do it you need a Eurail pass and a little forward planning.

The First and Still the Best -- AdventureWomen Celebrates 25 Years of Adventure Travel for Women
AdventureWomen's founder Susan Eckert has watched the women's adventure travel market grow and change for more than 25 years. Learn why her pioneering company is so successful and what keeps her adventure vacations for women so popular.

New Travel Insurance Directory Launched
Leading travel websites portal search4travelwebsites.com has launched a new travel insurance directory to allow users to choose their single trip, annual and winter sports travel insurance a large number of leading insurance companies.

How to Get Your Children Excited About a Trip to Hawaii
Have you recently selected Hawaii as your next family vacation destination If you have, you are at an advantage

Appreciating Your Vacation With Oaxaca Activities
Visiting the culinary capital of Mexico means taking a look at what you get when you appreciate the excellence of all the Oaxaca activities available Oaxaca, Mexico may not be everyone?s ideal choice for a vacation spot at first glance

QL2 Surpasses 300 Clients for its Market Intelligence Services Including Big Names in Travel and Retail
Continued Company Momentum with Nearly 50% Growth in Client Base and Revenue in 2007; Inclusion in KMWorld's List of 100 Companies that Matter for 2008; New Chief Technology Officer