Wednesday 11 April 2018

J is for Jasper in Alberta, Canada ...




Jasper National Park is a major Canadian park in the Rockies with lots on offer for the tourist - intrepid or otherwise ... skiing, hiking, canoeing, climbing, just viewing ... Jasper's economy is in good shape thanks to its tourism industry.

Jasper's Maligne Lake - Spirit Island

 Its early history came about through the desire to trade and to explore ... so fur was the call to these magnificent wilds, the exploration of Canada with its subsequent development ...


... meant timber became a major source of industry ... the railways then really opened the door to more trade and easier transportation ...


The information centre for the Park:
note the roof pitch ... it ties in with the
surrounding mountaineous area

Tourism is very important now, the oil industry is further south in Alberta ... man and his quest for sport in all its guises draws visitors to Jasper.





Fryatt Valley from the top of the head wall
The National Park takes centre stage, while the Yellowhead Museum celebrates the history of the area ... when the Pass was used in the 1820s to 1850s by the Hudson's Bay Company, principally to transport leather, especially moose-hides, once the route had been deemed a feasible option to go across the Rockies to the then New Caledonia, now northern British Columbia.


View of Jasper from the
summit of The Whistlers
My mother and I went to Jasper about 20 years ago ... it was July and it was snowing ... I drove from Banff ... up and then back!  No stopping ... but we did see the Columbia Ice Field and glacier, as well as some bears on our return.  I need to go back when it's not snowing!



That is J for Jasper National Park and surrounding area ... from Aspects by a British 'girl' in Canada ...




Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

44 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Yet another stunning area I would love to see. Isn't it amazing how often the places which the early settlers colonised/travelled through in extreme jeopardy are so incredibly beautiful? I wonder whether they saw the beauty as well as the danger and the drudgery. I hope so.

Kristin said...

Snowing in July! When would you go back where you could count on no snow! Does sound like an interesting trip in spite of it though, a bear and everything.
http://findingeliza.com/

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
am rather fond of the name Jasper - it belonged to my dear old silver tabby. It's a name which, again, I have heard in relation to Canada, but knew nothing much beyond that - not sure I could even have said it was in Alberta, so am definitely learning stuff! YAM xx

Liz A. said...

Well, if it was snowing in July, and this year has been rather cool thus far... Might not be this year that you make it.

Paula said...

Snowing in July! Crazy!! Good to see you in the A To Z this year!

Hels said...

I would like to see Jasper Alberta Yellowhead Pass, not because killing animals is a good idea but to see how the Hudson Bay Company expanded its trade to the west of the Rockies in the early 19th century. And because the expansion and connections of the Canadian National Railways were fascinating.

M. Denise C. said...

Sounds like you are getting to reminisce and revisit, Hilary. Enjoy yourself up there and take care!

Sandra Cox said...

What a beautiful spot.
Great J pick, Hilary.

Lenny Lee said...

sounds like a beautiful place to visit. bet it's great for hiking and winter sports. yikes! snowing in July... for sure i'd stay indoors in front of a warm fire drinking a cup of hot chocolate.

Silvia Writes said...

July and snowing, now that's a sight to see, I bet. I like your words, Hilary: man and his quest for sport ... true, indeed, no place left unexplored, it seems, and Jasper sounds wonderful, albeit cold.

Anonymous said...

It was nice to know about the National park:)

Nilanjana Bose said...

I have a friend in Edmonton who sends me these absolutely out-of-the-world photos of Jasper, and I keep thinking I must get to it...the scenic beauty in Canada is nonpareil really, albeit a bit chilly :)

Unknown said...

Hi Hilary. I am really enjoying learning more about Canada in these posts. It really is a stunningly beautiful country.

Keith's Ramblings said...

A lovely place to visit - in the snow or not! Another interesting and informative piece Hilary.

Lynn said...

What a beautiful place! Love how the roof pitch of the centre matches the surrounding mountains.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

You travel that far up, you'll see snow. We were snowed on when we camped in Yellowstone Park in June.

Jo said...

If you went back, you would probably find the ice field much reduced. Unfortunately glaciers are shrinking rapidly these days. A major environmental problem.

Do you know what to do when a bear charges you?

Pay him.

messymimi said...

Such great beauty, i hope i can visit there someday!

Bob Scotney said...

Another of those beautiful places I would like to visit - but unfortunately never will.

Joanne said...

Canada is just beckoning to me. Jasper sounds lovely - snow or no snow....wow!

Ellie Garratt said...

Can I join you when you finally get there? Looks stunning!

Mike Goad said...

Jasper: Nice country, cute town. I remember some locals (teens) making disparaging remarks about visitors (tourists). I guess they didn't yet understand the value of tourist dollars to the local economy.

Columbia Ice Fields: Awesome! and cold. We were there in late August and took the snow coach excursion out onto Athabaska Glacier. The sky was smoky from fires over in British Columbia, and helped cool the air, which, flowing down the glacier, was quite chilly indeed.

Sue Bursztynski said...

Beautiful scenery, definitely worth a visit!

J Is For Paul Jennings...

https://suebursztynski.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/a-to-z-blogging-challenge-j-is-for.html

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

I am from Holland, and during a trip we made to Canada (in 1989) we went to Jasper and it snowed, also at the Columbian Icefields, where we stayed overnight in a hiker's cabin. it was a grans adventure!

Rhodesia said...

I am really enjoying these posts about Canada, I am learning something new every day from you. Take care Diane

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

Looks beautiful. Rob and I considered Banff as a holiday destination for a while, but we've never made it, and we tend to go off off season, so Jasper is probably not as open then :)
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Movie Monsters

Computer Tutor said...

There is something about mountains. I love California's Sierra Nevadas not to mention the Rockies. I can't imagine endless flat land. Thanks for this, Hilary.

Deborah Weber said...

I visited Jasper National Park (and Banff) when I was a child and to this day I remember the beauty of the glacial lakes - it was transcendent!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ EC - it's a stunning area of the country ... and I hope I can get to visit again ... they were certainly intrepid explorers ... very self sufficient - but you ask interesting questions ...

@ Kristin - I know ... reading Diane's comment below - it's 'dangerous' to travel up there at most times of the year ... I guess late July, August and September would be better ...

@ Yamini - oh what fun to reminded of Jasper the silver tabby. I have to say I haven't quite got organised with the provinces ...

@ Liz - this could be a year to go across ... but I suspect I'm tied in here ...

@ Paula - well I gather it does up there ... it snowed all the way up from Banff ...

@ Hels - yes that's the sort of thing I'd like to look into ... to try and understand those early days ... the Hudson Bay company and the CNR are both interesting early organisations that opened up Canada via their trade routes ...

@ Denise - thanks yes ... I could remember a bit about Mum and I travelling up there ...

@ Sandra - it must be lovely to spend some time up there ...

@ Lenny - so good to see you ... it must be an amazing place for winter sports and for hiking etc ... at least Mum and I were able to get up - but I was glad to get back to Banff ... not used to the car or the snow!

@ Silvia - I can't say I took much in ... re the snow and driving ... but man certainly went as far as he reasonably could and perhaps further in those very early days ... I'm definitely not a cold person! But I'd love to go back to see and explore a little more ...

@ WW - yes I'd have liked to have looked further into the National Park ...

@ Nila - oh how wonderful to see the photos ... I think you're right the scenic beauty here is extraordinary ... just need to be geared up for the weather ...

@ Kim - thanks so much ... I'm enjoying the learning too - I'm looking forward to see lots more of the locality here ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Keith - I agree ... I'm sure you've been over here ... I just could have done without it snowing that day!!

@ Lynn - I can't remember where I found that note re the roof pitches ... I hope I come across it again ...

@ Diane - I guess that's right ... but us 'little Englanders' didn't know that and certainly weren't expecting snow on our trip ...

@ Jo - the ice field was quite far back even then ... but still interesting to see - despite the snow and misty fog-snow!
Good thing to remember when I next see a bear ... thanks!!

@ MMimi - thank you ... it's worth visiting, so hope you do ...

@ Bob - it's a stunning area of Canada ... I hope I can get another trip in ... but am not sure ...

@ Joanne - if you can get up - it's so worth it ... Jasper must be stunning to visit and to learn more about ...

@ Ellie - with pleasure ... I guess I must make way for a husband and a dog too?! On your bucket list perhaps ...

@ Mike - I'm sure kids wouldn't understand would they - and don't we all grump when our locality is invaded by tourists ... I'll be interested to see what happens here over the Summer.

Sadly I wasn't due to travel out - but a friend of my Ma's couldn't go so I filled in - not much time for research and we should have done some of those trips ... the area though was stunning and I do remember seeing the icefield - that we stopped off to visit ...

@ Sue - oh so beautiful ...

@ Marja - good to see you again ... and wonderful you were able to hike, and despite the snow enjoyed yourselves: a grand adventure indeed.

@ Diane - thanks so much ... I'm learning too ...

@ Tasha - it's definitely worth coming out ... even if Jasper isn't on the cards ... so much else to see - Banff is a stunning area ...

@ Jacqui - I agree about the mountains - I can't quite believe I see them each and every day while I'm here ...

@ Deborah - those glacial lakes and rivers are stunning aren't they ... love the colours of the water as the glacier silt or rock flour comes down with the melt water ...

Thanks so much for your visits - well worth having a holiday over in the Rockies at Banff, Jasper area and then coming over to British Columbia ... cheers Hilary

Susan Scott said...

It looks so beautiful, like a paradise Hilary! I hope you get to see it while you're living there ..

diedre Knight said...

Those pictures depict such splendor! Interesting history as to how easily explorations lead to wondrous discoveries. The roof pitch of the Visitor's Center makes me think they get an enormous amount of snow there. I would definitely visit - in Summer ;-)

Yolanda Renée said...

Jasper is beautiful! I love such scenes. I hope you get to go back for a visit!

Anabel Marsh said...

A place I love, as you probably know!

Out on the prairie said...

What a lovely are to visit, I backpacked in Banff National Park with bear bells on my pack. I had hoped they weren't mistaken for the dinner bell.LOL

Melissa Sugar said...

Sounds like another lovely park in Canada. Snowing in July ... that’s a bit cold for me to ever visit. Does it ever get warm? Snow and bears — I might just admire this beauty from afar. I’m amazed how many places I learn that timber is a major industry. It is in Louisiana as well.
Take care
Melissa @
Sugar Crime Scene

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Sounds like a lovely place

Botanist said...

This brings back memories. We drove from Banff to Jasper 23 years ago, stopping off at the Columbia Ice Field on the way. Did you go up onto the glacier in one of those big-wheeled vehicles? Jasper is beautiful, but pretty remote.

Unknown said...

Once so remote but maintaining her beauty!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Susan - it does look gorgeous doesn't it - not sure I'll get there again ... but I'd like to see it without the snow.

@ Diedre - it must be stunningly beautiful up there ... but I'd love to visit the museum to see more of the history of the area ... interesting you comment on the shape of visitor centre - they say it matches the mountains ... i.e. the snow slithers off ... whereas lower down the roof pitch is not so sharp ... grassland area ...

@ Yolanda - I guess you know how lovely it is ... I too hope to get back for a visit ...

@ Anabel - yes I know you love this area ...

@ Steve - if it hadn't of snowed I'd have been happier!! What fun backpacking with bear bells on your back - there has to be a story there!!! Amazing ... and yes - well you obviously weren't dinner ...

@ Melissa - it does sound a wonderful place to be - I wasn't expecting to be there or more importantly for it to snow in July!! We did see bears on the way back south ...

Timber for centuries was the only real material easily available for so many 'tools' to human life ... a home, a ship etc etc ... so not surprising it was in Louisiana, as too fairly obviously timber is very important up here in Canada ...

@ Jo-Anne - it looks to be gorgeous ...

@ Jz - yes ... couldn't agree more ...

@ Ian - no the day we went I think they'd cancelled everything as snow was 'pouring' down ... so we saw it from the tourist place - that was it ... I'd still love to go to Jasper again ... perhaps!

@ Leslie - yes so so remote ... yet now an important route across the northern part of Canada - that's not completely frozen ..

Thanks so much for visiting - cheers Hilary

Emily in Ecuador said...

Jasper looks so beautiful! I have been around Yellowstone and Glacier Park but have not gone up to Jasper. This time, I hope you go when it is not snowing :)

Emily In Ecuador

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Emily - my mother and I went up to Jasper in July about 20 years ago ... but it was thick snowing mist! I would love to get there when it's not snowing ... I've yet to do Yellowstone and the Glacier Park there ... cheers Hilary

Christine Rains said...

Jasper is absolutely gorgeous. I've driven by but never had the luxury to explore the area.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thanks Christine ... I hope you'll be able to get back one day - take care ... cheers Hilary