Jasper or Bust 2008

Day 11: Parker’s Ridge

Although our site at Columbia Icefields was beautiful it was too cold to make a warm breakfast. The hot breakfast at the visitors center was too good to pass up.

After updating the blog we ventured off to Parker’s Ridge- a hike highly recommended by several people. The hike started out in a meadow of wildflowers then quickly climbed 1,500 feet. Fortyfive minutes later we were in the high alpine just like a scene from The Sound of Music- but we overlooked the Saskatchewan Glacier and the valley it carved out over thousands of years. At the toe of the glacier we clearly saw a turquoise glacial run-off pond from which flowed a winding river. At our feet we noticed that nearly every rock we stepped over contained fossils of various underwater flora. Turns out they were telling the truth that this area was at the bottom of an ocean long long ago.

As we followed the ridge line south a brilliant waterfall came into view as well as an emerald colored pond. Then we climbed north to the highest point of the ridge. From here we had clear views of smaller glaciers clinging to the tops of mountains. Words can’t do this hike’s views justice so check out the photo.

We returned to camp and made our originally designated emergency meals – freeze dried lasange and beef strofanof. Surprisingly they tasted great.

A fellow camper and tour guide recommended a unnamed hike that started directly out of our campsite. Supposedly, big horn sheep could be seen on this short hour and a half hike. After our tasty meal we set out in search of our hooved friends. Once again the trail quickly climbed out of the valley at times so steep we had to scramble. Our treking poles came in very handy. The setting sun illuminated this mountain side and meadow, accentuating a breadth of green hues. We reached our turnaround point without seeing the sheep. However as we turned around we clearly saw the silhouettes of a small herd of big horn sheep grazing on a distant ridge. Magnificient. Mark wished he had his mega zoom lens.

After a hairy descent back to camp we had another quiet and peaceful night’s sleep.

Parker’s Ridge seemed to encapsulate the best of Jasper National Park and the evening hike offered a pleasant surprise.