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Jasper National Park of Canada
Reached from the east and west via the Yellowhead Hwy. (Hwy. 16) and from the south by the Icefields Parkway (Hwy. 93), Jasper National Park of Canada, Banff National Park of Canada's northern neighbor, was established in 1907. The park was named after Jasper Hawes, who was in charge of a Hudson's Bay Co. trading post in 1817.
Less developed and less crowded than Banff National Park of Canada, its 10,878 square kilometres (4,200 sq. mi.) of majestic mountains, valleys and lakes offer equally spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain wilderness. The variety and beauty of its numerous lakes, of which Maligne Lake is the largest, are perhaps the area's chief attractions.
Nature's scenic sculpting process at work can be seen at Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls, both just west of Icefields Parkway south of Jasper. To the east off Hwy. 16 is Miette Hot Springs, where mineral pools are open for bathing Victoria Day weekend through the second Monday in October. Northeast of Jasper 51-metre-deep (170-ft.) Maligne Canyon surrounds the river that carved it over the years.
Park wildlife is as diverse as its peaks and valleys. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep inhabit the crags and highlands, although the sheep frequently wander down within good viewing distance.
The lower slopes and meadows are home to deer, elk, moose and bears, which never should be fed or approached. More elusive are coyotes, wolves, lynx and other predators that usually avoid humans. Lodgepole pines, spruces, poplars and firs forest the area, and eagles, jays, magpies and other birds dot the skies.
Note: Since hunting is illegal, some animals may have lost their fear of human activity; be alert for animals on the highways both day and night, and never feed them.
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