Maligne Canyon and Valley, Jasper

Maligne Valley is a section of the park set off on its own with the 44 kilometer road deadending at Maligne Lake. Maligne Lake has a lodge, restaurant, tour boat and lake access to back woods camping and hiking. Our day going all the way to the end was rather cold and off and on raining, so there really wasn’t much at Maligne Lake that we were interested in except a picnic break from driving and a beautiful view of the lake and beyond.

On the way to Lake Milgne is Medicine Lake. We actually visited Medicine Lake two different days, you may notice a difference in weather on each of the days. The cloudier rainier day was surprisingly clearer for a view of the mountains. Probably the rain keeping smoke down?

Part of the lake is closed because there has been a couple of eagles nesting in a near by tree. The signs say that they are still incubating the eggs, but we never saw any activity in the nest or any large birds hunting in the lake.

The water in Medicine Lake fluctuates substantially during the year. Very full in the early spring to almost empty in late summer to early fall. Right now it seems to be pretty low, you can see this on the banks surrounding the lake, and at the furthest end of it where it is basically several creeks with running water. Grasses have even grown in and around the creeks although I understand it is all underwater (or ice and snow) at other times of the year.

So this I will just put out there. Had read about the draining lake and it producing springs in the valley below. But the ferry and trying to plug the drains??

We also saw a marmot at Medicine Lake.

The Maligne Canyon was really very impressive. There are over 10 km of trails up and down the river on both sides and six bridges crossing the river at different places. Our first time, we only stopped at the lower bridges and took a stroll along the riverside. Very pleasant and very few people on this part of the canyon, the upper lot was full and crazy.

But boy was the upper section of the canyon the most impressive. Walking was easier on the lower river, upper canyon was straight up and down but well worth it. You can cross the canyon on three bridges and get back and forth on either side of it. One side is paved, has better views and is pretty crowded but the other is a larger trail walking thru the woods, was a nice return trip (you know Nellie loves a loop).

The canyon is up to 50 meters deep in parts and eventhough we could hear water the entire time, many times the walls were so close together and steep that you couldn’t see the bottom. The waterfalls, pot holes, moses, and walls were quite spectacular.