The Road to Jasper

Mount Cheperen

Early Wednesday morning, we checked our of our hotel in Banff and started our convoy toward Jasper.  We wanted to be on the Icefields Parkway, prior to dawn, so we can get the sun rising on the mountains.  Our first stop was Waterfowl Lake with Mount Cheperen in the background, and we were able to capture the sun's glow hitting the peak of the mountain.  Also, the moon was right above the mountain.

Mount Cheperen with Moon

Our next stop was Mistaya Canyon, a slot canyon formed by the Mistaya River.  The Canyon has rushing water winding through it and a great view up the river.  Along the trail to the Canyon, there was a number of dead tree stumps with lichens and moss covering them.

Mistaya Canyon

Mistaya Canyon

Mistaya River entering the Canyon

View down the Mistaya River from the Canyon

Moss and Lichen

Our last stop on the Parkway, prior to traveling on to Jasper was at the Parker Ridge, which is just below the boundaries between Banff and Jasper National Parks.  We also had a close encounter with a Common Raven.

Parker Ridge

Clouds over Parker Ridge

Common Raven

When we reached Jasper and the hotel the Jasper Park Lodge, our rooms were not ready yet, so we were shown with the parking lot was and then one of the Lodge employees took us to where elk were right on the property, so we could get some photographs.

Female Elk

After checking in, we then left the hotel to search for wildlife and we found very cooperative bull elks, and since the rut was over, they allowed us to approach close to them and enable great pictures

Bull Elk Resting

Bull Elk

After supper in Jasper, we returned to the Lodge for a good nights sleep.  Looking forward to another great day exploring and photography.