Jasper National Park: The Canadian Rockies Part 2

More surprises awaited us as we finished our Canadian Rockies adventure. My last post about our trip to Jasper National Park can be found here.

The Rockies snagged the clouds in the sky. We needed sweaters and raincoats for our last day in Jasper because the wind and rain in the morning cut into us. But it didn’t stop our investigation of a unique creek on the drive into the park. An informative plaque at the site explained that rain water seeps through the rock mountain, gathering sulfur as it goes, and trickles out crevices and holes at the base of the mountain, creating a small, stinky, rotten-egg-smelling creek.

The waters around Jasper become more picturesque, though. There’s a kelly-green lake that appears to have no name. It is clear and cool, with a sandy lake bed in places and silt-covered rocks in others. We could only walk along the road side of the lake as it backed into a forest and mountain on the other sides.

But I was looking for my last hike in Jasper. Once in town, with a trail map and water in hand, we headed toward the Lac Beauvert Trail along the frigid Athabasca River, the silt-filled, milky turquoise river that cuts through Jasper. An easy trail, according to the map. Unfortunately, we had to walk almost two miles through town to get to the forest trailhead.

There is a bridge over the Athabasca River, and we continued along the Athabasca to see Lac Beauvert. It’s a horse trail. No. I didn’t see horses. I found other clues. Namely, horse pucky.

We followed the Athabasca as it snakes along the valley floor, tumbling where it’s pinched in, and rippling where it’s wide. The wind whipped up whitecaps in the milky river, and we pulled our raincoats tightly around us.

While my husband rested on a bench, I followed the signs that led to Lac Beauvert. It didn’t take long to find the clear, emerald green lake. Set in a forest of pines, rocky mountains of every shape and shade filled the horizon. The beauty filled my heart. People were canoeing and paddle-boarding. The water was chilly but not frigid.

I hiked along the flat trail at the lake’s edge, pine filling my senses, enjoying the peace of woods and mountains. Nature gives me a chance to talk to God. It helps me cut the noise of life and listen for His reply. A tiny island sprouted from the middle of the lake. Just a little pine tree and some tall grass. I heard loons calling from the lake.

The time came for me to turn around. My husband was waiting for me on a bench by the Athabasca River. And yes. I was becoming leg-weary, and we still needed to walk back through town to get our car.

By the time I reached my husband, there was a small cluster of people standing around. Everyone was watching six bighorn sheep nibbling on a gravel parking lot.

I found a stairway up by the bridge. People were coming down and said the view is gorgeous. I had to go. My husband understood, deciding to watch the sheep instead. I climbed almost 100 steps, and there were still more after a hike further up. The trail was like Whistlers Mountain, loose sand and gravel and rock. It seemed to scale the ridge. But it was a difficult hike. Almost straight up.

I stopped at those 100 steps. Remembering the importance of listening to my body. I could still see both sides of the Athabasca. After a brief rest, I returned to my husband and those crazy sheep, still nibbling the gravel.

Slowly, we headed back along the Athabasca, through the forest, to the unnamed lake, the roadway, under the train tracks, and finally to town. We pretty much crawled forward through town, sitting at every bench we found. Resting.

We ate outside, at the “De’d Dog Bar & Grill,” gazing at the Canadian Rockies filling our view. My juicy Shepherd’s pie was made with bison, elk, and black Angus beef. Savory! My husband enjoyed fish and chips.

But then we needed to get up and return to the car. We were stuffed! As full as the forests around us. Our bellies as big as the mountains jutting above us. Sluggishly, we stepped forward. Step by step, to the car. Then we just sat there. Enjoying the sun. Enjoying the fullness. Enjoying the last of our once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska and the Canadian Rockies.

How about you? Do you listen to your body when it tells you enough is enough? Please share any thoughts you may have in the comments. Thanks for visiting! And enjoy your adventures.