One thing I noticed about Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta, Canada, even in early spring, was the accessibility of the parks. Roads with ample pullouts wind through gorgeous mountain ranges, providing unforgettable views, and shorter hikes and walks bring visitors up close to beautiful terrain.
Join us as we explore Pyramid Lake. After Adam and I hiked Morro Peak, we drove to Jasper, spotting several elk along the roadside. We checked into our room at the Pyramid Lake Lodge, and then drove the short distance to the Pyramid Island Trail, where we crossed the well-photographed footbridge and explored the island.
Pyramid Mountain was directly in front of us as we walked, creating a stunning backdrop. Peaks ringed the lake, and several people had built snowmen on the frozen lake. I imagined what the scene must look like in summer when the crystal clear water reflected the towering mountains. From what I’ve read, it’s known as one of the “must see” photo spots in Jasper.
We drove past a small herd of elk between the highway and the railroad tracks on our way to Jasper.
Unlike many tourist towns, Jasper has a small-town feel. We drove to Jasper after supper to check out the town. The rumble of the diesel engines hauling cargo through the town with the Rockies as a backdrop gave it a unique vibe.
As we walked the main street in the early evening, a gorgeous sunset painted the surrounding mountains lavender and pink. It was another moment where I found myself wondering what it must be like to wake up to that view on a daily basis.
In 2024, fire burned over eighty thousand acres in Jasper, including almost one third of the buildings in the town. Even with the blanket of snow, the destruction is still visible in town and on the mountainsides.
After getting a few souvenirs at a gift shop, we drove back up the hill to the Pyramid Lake Lodge and went to bed. The brilliant sunshine we’d enjoyed all day was replaced with a sliver of moon rising over the frozen lake and the white-clad peaks. It reminded me of camping in Washington state under the shadow of Mount Baker, only this time I had a king size bed and a flushing toilet. There’s a time for everything.
The railroad is a constant feature in Jasper and gives the town a unique vibe.
I don’t think you’ll find a bad view in the Canadian Rockies. Sunday morning was cloudy and cold, and I wondered if we’d see anything on our drive down the iconic Icefields Parkway.
The 50-degree temperatures from the day before had vanished, and we shivered as we loaded our bags.
But as we drove toward the town of Jasper, the views appeared as the morning clouds drifted away, revealing layer upon layer of snowy mountains.
Athabasca Falls roars through the ice-filled gorge on the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park.
Our first stop of the day was at Athabasca Falls. While the walk to the falls would be short and uneventful in the summer, the paved trails were dangerously icy after several days of freeze and thaw conditions. I was hugging the rail at points, and Adam even shimmied along the rail to avoid getting his feet wet in several deep, slushy puddles.
We could hear the thunder of water. While most of the falls were draped in ice, the center of the flow was open, and the pool below glowed turquoise in the early morning light. A high, jagged peak rose above the falls, once again creating an impressive backdrop. I was starting to think that was how things would be on this trip–amazing places with impressive backdrops.
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