Athabasca River, Jasper National Park The next day in Jasper, taking in the morning sights of Mt. Edith Cavell before heading to the Sulphur Skyline trail. The Athabasca River flows in front, with its colours from the glacial silt.
Sulphur Skyline, Jasper National Park First time passing the tree line. The trees suddenly grow shorter and then just stop altogether. This trail was already pretty exposed on the way here, but completely no cover from this point on.
Sulphur Skyline, Jasper National Park Ascending the final climb towards the summit of the Sulphur Skyline hike. The views are getting better and better as I go up, including all of the strata on the surrounding mountains. The way up was steep and slippery though, as you can see the type of surface on the slope.
Sulphur Skyline, Jasper National Park On top of the summit, one angle of view follows the carvings of a river off into the distance.
Sulphur Skyline, Jasper National Park These are familiar critters! But these chipmunks are definitely hardier to be looking for food on top of the summit.
Sulphur Skyline, Jasper National Park The view in one direction around on the Sulphur Skyline summit. Hot as it was, I spent some time just taking in the view since it was the first summit of the trip.
Sulphur Skyline Parking Lot Wildlife
Sulphur Skyline, Jasper National Park In the Sulphur Skyline trail head parking lot, these goats (I think?) are just wandering around looking for food. I saw some poking their head into BBQ pits and some trucks.
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park Later that afternoon, I paid a visit to Whistler's Mountain. I opted to take the cable car up most of the mountain - it would've been a long and not particularly climb otherwise and I had things to see!
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park The trail from a little bit from the cable car station. The mountain is quite barren at the top, although it's not lifeless as I'll find out.
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park Whistlers Mountain affords fantastic views of the area surrounding Jasper. Here we see a vast valley with its complex of rolling hills in between the mountain peaks.
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park A different view from on top Whistlers Mountain. Our old friend Mt. Edith Cavell is visibl again in the distance, with some snowy mountains in the foreground.
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park Wildlife at the top of Whistlers Mountain. Not only were there plants, albeit not very tall, I found this bee looking for nectar. The alpine environment of a summit is apparently no barrier to the plants and bee.
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park An impressive accumulation of rocks mark the summit.
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park One of my favourite shots from Whistlers Mountain. Mt. Edith Cavell in the background and some other peaks of the surrounding area beneath an almost-clear blue sky.
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper National Park The view of Jasper from on top shows its place amongst the mountains and valley. The train tracks that took me into Jasper are also visible, as is the Icefields Parkway (down to the right), which would lead me to the next part of my trip.