Three years since we made the trek to Jasper, it was definitely time for a girls trip back to one of our favorite spots in this wonderful country. What better time than the July 1st, 2011, Canada Birthday to start our summer adventure.
Now when I say summer, we need to qualify that we when we left Calgary it was 26%, sunny and very warm. So of course we packed shorts, tank tops and just for good measure threw a sweater in the suitcase at the last minute. Thursday afternoon we were on our way. Arriving shortly after 10 pm, Nicole and I woke the other 3 ladies up, who had snuggled into bed to a great nights sleep. Who goes to bed at 10 pm, when it is still light out??
Cottage #1 was to be our home for the next week and the celebration of arriving went on for the next 2 hours, at which time we were already for bed.
Friday morning we are up and ready to start our first hike for the week. Edith Cavell it would be. We hadn't climbed the trail but once, probably 18 years ago and remembered the gorgeous, yet challenging climb up the trail and through the switchback path in the upper meadow. Dressed in shorts, t-shirts and packing lots of water in preparation for a rigorous climb we were ready to leave.
Now back to the conversation of the starting the summer... before we reached the car we were back into the cabin for pants, sweaters, coats and raincoats. It was darn cold outside. Yes we kept the water. Reaching the parking lot at the start of the pass it was snowing, then it rained, then it snowed a bit more, Only in Canada, can you move through all four seasons in one day. Not to be discouraged by the weather we began our hike.
Now an interesting fact if you ever plan to hike Edith Cavell is that due the Woodland Caribou, dogs are not allowed on the upper meadow trails. Apparently an endangered species, threaten by dogs. No problem, poor Lily would spend a few hours in the car resting. This was perfectly safe as it certainly wasn't hot out and she would be fine in the car.
I should have mentioned to get to the beginning of the trail it is a 14km very windy car ride straight up the mountain. Unfortunately the drive had a negative impact on Laurel, who suffered the discomfort of car sickness. A trouper she took a Gravel, but suggested we stick to the lower loop up to the glacier. So we did. Still a great hike as we followed the path towards the glacier. The path quickly changed to a very faint and then non-existent path over rocks and boulders pushed down to the base of the glacier. The only thing is that 20 years ago where we were walking had been covered by the glacier. The impact of global warming is very evident. Looking up we saw the Angel Glacier. Her wings span over the mountains and the vision is very clear. We are so happy we were able to visit the glacier as investigation indicates it is not expected to retain its distinct shape for much longer.
The mountain was named for Edith Cavell in 1916. She was an English nurse executed by the Germans in world war one for helping allied soldiers escape thru Belgium. A brave lady she was!
A round trip back to the car and I can definitely feel my ankles for having climbed over all the rocks. It was time to take Lily for a walk. Somehow we headed back up the loop. Taking a short cut across the valley we limited the extensive challenge of most of rocks we previously crossed and headed back to the car. It had been a great afternoon of climbing, hiking and lots of fresh air. Yes we had earned our reward of Nachos at Jasper Park Lodge. A tradition from our hikes in 90's.
A short drive to the lodge and we are back in heaven. Peaceful, a gorgeous view and the air smells amazing, but darn it is still cold. So forsaking eating outside into the lodge we went. A table by the window and we are warm and happy. Scouring the menu, Nachos are no where to be found. How can this be? Not to be discouraged we asked and they are no longer offered as a menu item, but our waiter would ask the kitchen since they weren't to busy today. 10 minutes later our nachos arrived. We are all very happy campers. The table got very quiet as we devoured the food. Content and full we were ready for another hike. We got Lily from the car and headed around the path of Lake Beauvert. Probably one of my most favourite 3 km hikes around the lake in front of the lodge. Along the way we heard tons of laughter as we approached several young men on the edge of the lake. What possibly could be so funny? AS we got closer they were eager to share as they continued to laugh in hysterics. They had dared one fellow to jump into the freezing cold, glacier feed lake. He took the dare, dropping his pants and jumping into the water. Of course we walked up before he had his pants back on and his friends(?) had captured the event on their cameras and were more than eager to show us. They were more than embarrassed and we are thinking very drunk. I bet they will tell the story for years of how he got caught baring all in front of 5 old ladies. Too funny!!
Finishing our walk, we were all tired and ready to get back to our cottage for a rest and dinner before we head into the town of Jasper for the Canada Day fireworks tonight at 11:30pm. Way past our bedtime but we will force ourselves to stay up.
