Encountering Wildlife in Jasper, Alberta

When one thinks of the Canadian Rockies, mere words such as breathtaking, awe-inspiring, majestic and spectacular doesn't do it justice. It's a place where I have always wanted to go to see wildlife and mountains and I was drawn to the little town of Jasper.

Getting There: 

The Canadian is described as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. I decided that the 75 per cent off all inclusive fare from Toronto to Jasper was a very good offer considering you get accommodation, gourmet food, travel and outstanding views of the whole journey. I met some fascinating people from around the world including three Taiwanese students, a lecturer from Toronto and quite a few retired people with life stories to tell.

Courtesy of Vacations Canada

Jasper Town Centre

Three days after setting off from Toronto the train chugged into the mountain town of Jasper. Accommodation is plentiful but be sure to book early as the place draws a lot of tourists.

Black Bear

Elk

After a quick freshen up, I decided to explore the town and made friends with a girl called Grace from South Korea. We happily explored the Athabasca river, made famous for its turquoise water which was the result of minerals contained in it.

Our way back to the hostel was eventful as we encountered a black bear who was sitting beside the roadside eating dandelions. To say we were scared was an understatement, but we slowly and calmly backed away till we were at a safe distance. To this day, Grace and I talk about our encounter with the bear.

Please follow these guidelines for dealing with wildlife as you should not willingly go near them.

One of the great ways to see wildlife is to join a tour. Maligne adventure tours was a great company to go with and staff were very knowledgeable.

I opted for the evening tour and was rewarded with a great photo shot of an elk emerging from the bushes with the lake in the background. We also managed to see mountain goats, bears and deer.

For the adrenaline junkie, a whitewater rafting expedition is just the ideal way to spend a few hours getting your pulses racing. Again, Maligne Tours  provide a great service for those seeking adventure. The tour bus departed Jasper and wound its way through breathtaking scenery to arrive at the river near Mount Robson. This mountain is British's Columbia's highest peak and with an elevation of 3,954 m, it has mountaineers hone their climbing skills before embarking on such epic climbs such as that of Mount Everest.

Where to Eat: There are some great little restaurants at Jasper. I decided to try South Korean food and pleased to say that Kimchi House was a very good find.

To walk off those calories there are some great hiking trails around  Jasper and it's worth taking the cable car to take in the spectacular views.

I was puzzled to find a pile of rocks near the edge of the mountain. Another tourist explained that it was an Inukshuk, a stone figure reminding travellers that they are on the right path. Great to know!

Dip your toes in the Athabasca river -- it can be very cold though!

Spirit Island

Hopefully, I have convinced you to visit the Rockies at least once in your lifetime and will leave you with a quote by Daniel J Rice,“The mountains knew the definition of freedom. They provided a place where he could find his mind.”