Jasper, AB - Canada... planning a summer vacation

4,019 Views | 37 Replies | Last: 2 mo ago by Reel Aggies
nosoupforyou
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4:44p, 10/29/20
AG
I did a search and found this thread from 2016 but wanted to freshen it up with new ideas

https://texags.com/forums/54/topics/2750188/replies

Looking at 2nd week of June 2021 - just the the wife and I as we celebrate 20 years.

Considering thru-hiking for the first time if there is a guided plan and they provide all of the equipment - never done anything like that before so maybe?

Looking for a great, quiet place to stay in the area as well - found a good looking VRBO as an option but open to ideas

We loved Banff and want to try to get reservations for Lake O'Hara hike while we are there if we can... would likely stay a night or two in Banff, then 3-4 nights in Jasper, before getting back to Calgary to fly home.

Appreciate ideas!
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Scotts Tot
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5:01p, 10/29/20
AG
You mentioned already but Lake O'Hara is a must! You might know this already but you need to be ready to call the minute the phone lines open to get your spot. It fills immediately.

We spent a few days each in Banff, Jasper, and Yoho (Cathedral Mountain Lodge), and we were surprised that our time in Yoho was our favorite. The scenery is just as stunning as Banff, but much less people.
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nosoupforyou
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In reply to Scotts Tot • 5:09p, 10/29/20
AG

Appreciate specific tips on Lake O'Hara - I missed it last time we were there but really want to plan for it this time

I think we will have 2 nights in Banff, 3 nights in Jasper, and then a night in Yoho (Emerald Lake maybe and I'll check out Cathedral Mountain Lodge now) so ideas for all are great
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TXTransplant
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5:40p, 10/29/20
We stayed at Tekarra Lodge in Jasper last summer (2019). It's a great property with cabins as lodging. Highly recommend it.

I think I booked it the November before our trip, and it was about the only place available when I did - other than the Fairmont in Jasper, which was stupid expensive.
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Matsui
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8:02p, 10/29/20
AG
The way things are trending I'd be shocked if Canada is open to American tourists.
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2wealfth Man
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In reply to Matsui • 8:50p, 10/29/20
AG
Matsui said:
The way things are trending I'd be shocked if Canada is open to American tourists.
my thoughts as well
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nosoupforyou
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In reply to 2wealfth Man • 10:21p, 10/29/20
AG
Even by next summer?
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TXTransplant
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5:59a, 10/30/20
I would just make reservations, assuming they are completely refundable. Wouldn't buy a plane ticket until the border is officially open (and stays open), though.

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Matsui
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In reply to nosoupforyou • 6:25a, 10/30/20
AG
Yes. Have backup plans.
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Slim Isle
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9:38p, 11/2/20
Stay in jasper . Wildlife everywhere
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nosoupforyou
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In reply to Slim Isle • 12:18p, 11/7/20
AG
know of best restaurants to check out in Jasper?

awesome hikes you would recommend?
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TXTransplant
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12:48p, 11/7/20
Valley of the Five Lakes and Maligne Canyon are both great hikes. Not too taxing, but the scenery is gorgeous, especially Maligne Canyon.

If you drive out to Maligne Lake (I highly recommend the cruise), there are some longer/harder hikes in that area.

Don't miss Athabasca Falls. I think there are some short trails around it, too. Sunwapta Falls is also worth a stop.

We also really enjoyed the Athabasca Glacier tour - very unique experience for us.

In Jasper, we really liked Jasper Brewing Company. They had some unique things on the menu. Bear's Paw Bakery is also good for breakfast/snacks.

Jasper is a very small town, so there aren't too many fancy/fine dining restaurants.

If you're up for a real adventure, hire a guide from Rockies Alpine Guide to take you on a Via Ferrata.

I'll link a few of my Instagram posts from our trip in Summer 2019. I documented a lot of our itinerary, if you want to scroll through my posts.

Also, be sure to check yourself for ticks after every hike. I was bitten by one while we were there and came down with Colorado Tick fever once we got home. I was quite miserable for a few days.

https://instagr.am/p/ByL539BgtLu

https://instagr.am/p/ByOnC25AsqU

https://instagr.am/p/ByMLdj-AEr3

https://instagr.am/p/ByfpjFJghuQ
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nosoupforyou
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In reply to TXTransplant • 1:44p, 11/7/20
AG
Thank you!! Will research this all now
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gigemhilo
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9:21a, 11/11/20
AG
Consider staying at Mt Assiniboine for a night or two. You can helicopter up there and stay in the cabins they have on site. There is some very nice views and high altitude day-hiking from that lodge.

The hike from the Canmore area to the lodge is a good 18 or so miles, so it sounds like you would not be prepared for that.
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nosoupforyou
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6:11a, 11/14/23
AG
BUMP!

Excited to finally get this trip scheduled - mid-July 2024 - flight is booked!

originally this was a 2020 trip, then 2021, but now the country is finally fully open I'm re-working my original itinerary and grateful for any new ideas - just the wife and I for this trip - no kids.
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nosoupforyou
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10:28p, 7/17/24
AG
Lake O'Hara did not disappoint!!!

Win the lottery and enjoy this beauty!


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CDub06
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9:02a, 7/18/24
AG
This is awesome. I've got a trip in the works for next summer and appreciate your pictures and feedback here.

I'd started looking at pictures and hikes a couple of months ago and the scenery looks absolutely incredible. I'm afraid it will ruin me.
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nosoupforyou
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In reply to CDub06 • 10:15a, 7/18/24
AG
I'll post my entire itinerary after it is finalized late next week - I did tons of research and we are off to a good start

Happy to help!

We leave tomorrow for Mistaya Losge… Google that !
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Reel Aggies
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7:39p, 7/18/24
AG
Just got back from trip, went to Stampede in Calgary, Banff, drove Icefield hwy. So beautiful. Of course we went during the heatwave so wasn't as cool as we liked, even at altitude.






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Reel Aggies
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7:40p, 7/18/24
AG
Just got back from trip, went to Stampede in Calgary, Banff, drove Icefield hwy. So beautiful. Of course we went during the heatwave so wasn't as cool as we liked, even at altitude.






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CDub06
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8:15a, 7/24/24
AG
You following the fires there? The park was evacuated the night before last. There are fires burning all around the town. It's just firefighters left in the park now. Sad to see. Hopefully they'll be able to get it under control.



I was looking yesterday and there were a ton of visitors with nowhere to go. Hotels are all booked up with people scrambling to find places to stay.

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nosoupforyou
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In reply to CDub06 • 8:24a, 7/24/24
AG
Oh yes - we experienced all of that's ugh!

We had 6 great days in Golden and Mistaya Losge, then drove to Jasper.

Had a wonderful dinner at Tekarra Lodge then noticed it was snowing.. nope.. that's ash.

We went to town to shop around and gas stations were slammed with people

Soon they called a full evacuation of the town and at around 10 pm we started driving west with thousands of others - since east to Edmonton and south to Banff were closed due to fires

I drove all night - with a 45 minute stop to sleep in a parking lot and we got to Kelowna where we are now.

Headed to Creston today and will come up to Calgary from the sough and fly home tomorrow.

Sad to hear what happened to Jasper - we will for sure come back!


[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/oezgsPJs.jpg[/IMG]
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CDub06
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In reply to nosoupforyou • 8:27a, 7/24/24
AG
Awww...dude. I thought you were out of there by now. The damage to the land and the wildlife is a given, but that SUCKS for y'all and the trip you planned. So sorry to hear that.
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Counterpoint
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8:29a, 7/24/24
AG
We are supposed to be headed there on Aug 7. I wonder if it will be open?

(Way more concerned for the people and everything in Jasper, of course, but just curious). Glad you made it out, soup.
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TXTransplant
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8:39a, 7/24/24
Oh, man, that's awful! Hope you can salvage your vacation. I've been seeing posts on Instagram about the evacuation.

Something like 90%+ of the trees up there were ravaged by a beetle infestation a few years back. When we visited in 2019, we asked why the landscape looked like it was fall (everything was brownish-orange, like the trees were turning colors).

People who live there told us it was all dead trees, and they were really worried about the next fire. Basically the entire landscape was kindling.
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Reel Aggies
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8:45a, 7/24/24
AG
Sounds like we got out just in time last week. Missed the flight issues d/t software glitch and the fires. Sad to see. The area is so beautiful. They kept saying there was a drought except everything seemed so lush with water and mosquitoes everywhere.
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CDub06
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In reply to Counterpoint • 9:01a, 7/24/24
AG
The park cancelled all campsite reservations through August 6, which gives them time to optimistically get the fire under control and the campsites cleaned up, so there's hope the park itself will be open before then.
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CDub06
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6:50p, 7/24/24
AG
It's not going well. Sounds like they're afraid they're going to lose the whole town. Several people say Jasper Park Lodge is gone.

Jasper NP just posted this:

Quote:
Due to significant fire activity and forecasted strong winds, first responders will start to be relocated to Hinton. Firefighting personnel, aircraft and a small number of Incident Command staff will remain in the town of Jasper and continue efforts to protect the town.
The safety of the public and responders is our top priority.
One of the last tactics for protecting the community are landscape-level ignition operations where fire specialists bring the fire to large holding features, including Highway 16 and the Athabasca River.
If you have not yet evacuated town you must leave now. This is for your own safety and to allow these critical operations to protect the town of Jasper to continue unimpeded.
This decision has not been made lightly. First responders dedicate their lives to the protection of people and communities. Given the intensity of fire behaviour being observed the decision has been made to limit the number of responders exposed to this risk.


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CDub06
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6:30a, 7/26/24
AG
The west side of the town of Jasper is gone.

https://www.reddit.com/r/jasper/s/fwLTfbKpaw
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CDub06
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In reply to CDub06 • 9:22p, 7/27/24
AG
Here's an official map release of the damaged structures in town: https://www.jasper-alberta.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=2ad8c397-5171-41ce-82d5-d95528db2ba5
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TXTransplant
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6:13a, 7/28/24
Tekarra Lodge posted that they lost the front office, main building with the restaurant, and several cabins.

Fairmont did incur damage but the most of the structures including the main lodge are still standing.
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nosoupforyou
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In reply to TXTransplant • 6:57a, 7/28/24
AG
TXTransplant said:
Tekarra Lodge posted that they lost the front office, main building with the restaurant, and several cabins.

Fairmont did incur damage but the most of the structures including the main lodge are still standing.



This photo is where My wife and I were at 6:30 Monday night at Tekarra Lodge restaurant.

Great dinner with live music.
Mandatory evac of Jasper happened at 10 pm that night. This building was burned. So sad
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/oezgsPJs.jpg[/IMG]
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TXTransplant
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In reply to nosoupforyou • 9:23a, 7/28/24
So glad y'all made it out safe.

That is a lovely property. It was the first place we stayed on our first trip to Canada, and I loved it. I hope they are able to recover.
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CDub06
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In reply to Counterpoint • 8:38p, 7/30/24
AG
Counterpoint said:
We are supposed to be headed there on Aug 7. I wonder if it will be open?

(Way more concerned for the people and everything in Jasper, of course, but just curious). Glad you made it out, soup.


You might need a change of plans. At this point.

From the Jasper National Park website:

Quote:
Due to evolving wildfire activity, Jasper National Park is currently closed. All upcoming camping reservations with a checkout date on or before Tuesday, September 3, 2024 will be cancelled. Full refunds will automatically be provided but please be patient as they will likely be delayed.

There is no need for further action on the part of visitors for these cancellations and refunds. Currently, there is no estimated date for reopening, and further direction will follow as the situation develops.

We're sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this news brings to your travel plans.

If you wish to cancel additional future bookings visit the Parks Canada Reservation Service or call the reservation line at 1-877-737-3783 (1-519-826-5391 outside of North America).

We appreciate your patience as we take necessary action to keep our visitors safe.


https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper
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Counterpoint
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In reply to CDub06 • 11:34p, 7/30/24
AG
CDub06 said:
Counterpoint said:
We are supposed to be headed there on Aug 7. I wonder if it will be open?

(Way more concerned for the people and everything in Jasper, of course, but just curious). Glad you made it out, soup.


You might need a change of plans. At this point.

From the Jasper National Park website:

Quote:
Due to evolving wildfire activity, Jasper National Park is currently closed. All upcoming camping reservations with a checkout date on or before Tuesday, September 3, 2024 will be cancelled. Full refunds will automatically be provided but please be patient as they will likely be delayed.

There is no need for further action on the part of visitors for these cancellations and refunds. Currently, there is no estimated date for reopening, and further direction will follow as the situation develops.

We're sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this news brings to your travel plans.

If you wish to cancel additional future bookings visit the Parks Canada Reservation Service or call the reservation line at 1-877-737-3783 (1-519-826-5391 outside of North America).

We appreciate your patience as we take necessary action to keep our visitors safe.


https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper

We were able to get everything cancelled. Now I'm trying to plan an insanely last minute replacement trip somewhere else and it's proving very difficult!
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