Trail 2b follows the edge of the Pyramid Bench openings that offer exceptional views. This scenic stables area, where you need to follow the markers THE NATIONAL PARKS AND LES PARCS NATIONAUX ET LES Hike, bike and ride for 2 km. You may see bighorn sheep grazing on the section is known as the "Pyramid Overlook." The trail carefully. Cross the large parking lot there and find NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES OF CANADA LIEUX HISTORIQUES NATIONAUX DU CANADA All trail users please note L Close to Jasper grassy slopes below you. The forest is mostly old- descends to the Pyramid Lake parking lot, where it the continuation of Trail 2 at the far corner. Half a in a great national park The trail routes described below are on the Pyramid growth Douglas-fir, an evergreen easily identified by rejoins Trail 2. kilometre later you'll close the loop, 2.5 km from • Share the trail. Treat other users with Elk, bison, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goats and Bench, a lake-dotted terrace adjacent to Jasper. its furrowed bark. For the return leg of the loop, follow Trail 2 beside where you started. courtesy and respect. caribou must have established their own pathways in After the junction with Trail 2h, Trail 2b begins the Pyramid Lake Road. The path goes behind a motel Note: the loop section of this hike is heavily used • Stay on the trail. Short-cutting and going Jasper National Park long before humans arrived in the a steady climb of 120 m along a wooded ridge with and through the woods for 1.5 km to the complicated by horses, especially near the stables. around mudholes or snow damages trail- Canadian Rockies about 11,000 years ago. Aboriginal If you have no transportation, please note that side vegetation. these trails are easily reached on foot from town. peoples discovered and used these hoofed-animal • Choose a trail that matches your ability. Summer This edition of Summer trails. In the 1800s, non-native explorers, fur-company Reading this guide will help, as will asking employees, railway surveyors and settlers followed. Cottonwood Creek and Pyramid Lake loops Map 1 Trails near Jasper Trails was published park staff or outdoor-shop employees. in 2002. For the latest The park was founded in 1907. Since then, its Trails 2 and 2a, 3.8 km return (1-2 hours) or 2 and 2b, • Some trails are restricted to pedestrians natural trail network has been expanded and maintained 17.4 km return (5-7 hours) version, stop by the Park Information Centre. only. Traill for the benefit of everyone wanting to experience Trailheads: Jasper Activity Centre parking lot (in Also available at some • Creating new trails without authorization Jasper's wildlands. Whether you're strolling the short town, near start of Pyramid Lake Road), Cottonwood local businesses. Jasper National Park Mary Schâffer Loop, hiking all day in the Bald Hills, Slough parking lot (2 km up Pyramid Lake Road), Pyramid is not allowed. mountain-biking the Wabasso Trail or riding a horse Stables (3.5 km) or Pyramid Lake (end of road). • Be prepared! Jasper National Park is a of Canada near Pyramid Lake, there is something in this guide From town, Trail 2 begins with a steady climb wilderness area. Caution and self-reliance for you. of 60 m onto the Pyramid Bench, with a good view of are essential. A few of Jasper's trails are restricted to pedestrians, the town along the way. Crossing the gated road to but much of the network is shared by hikers, mountain- Cabin Lake, Trail 2 continues to the Cottonwood Slough bikers, equestrians and wildlife. We'd like to keep parking lot and crosses the Pyramid Lake Road. Shortly it that way. You can help by following the rules of past Cottonwood Creek, you reach a junction with courtesy and wildlife protection found in the colored Trail 2a. Turning right onto 2a takes you back to the Mountain-bikers — boxes in this guide. north end of town along the creek, for a short walk • Please avoid skidding. Locking your brakes of 1-2 hours. causes severe erosion. To continue to Pyramid Lake, follow Trail 2 past Patricia Lake Circle • When approaching other trail users, slow Note: distances given the junction with Trail 6a and angle right onto Trail 2b. Trails 6 and 6c, 4.6 km return (2—3 hours) in the trail descriptions down. When passing from behind, sound Soon the path climbs across an open hillside, giving you Trailhead: riding-stables parking area at km 3.5 on your bike bell or call out well in advance, are approximate to a the first of many fine views of the Athabasca Valley. destination and back, the Pyramid Lake Road, or hike Trail 2 from town. and ask to pass. around a loop, or from one This is an easy trail with moderate hills. From • Pedestrians and horses have the right of parking area to another. the trailhead kiosk by the stables, take Trail 6c across way. When horses approach, you should Except as noted, times the Pyramid Lake Road to the junction with Trail 6. stop, move your bike off the lower side of the given are total on-trail Keep right, uphill through aspen groves. Pass under a trail and wait there until they pass by. times for hikers. powerline and descend to the shore of Patricia Lake, where you may see loons. Patricia Lake was named for Princess Patricia of Connaught, a governor-general's daughter. Continue past the junction with Trail 6b—a National-park basics shortcut, but uphill—to reach Cottonwood Creek and a fine view of Cottonwood Slough. This is a favorite spot • Motorized vehicles on public roads only for watching ducks and beavers. You may see a moose. • Pack out litter From the slough, follow Trail 6 past the junction with • Leash your pet • Keep food away from wildlife TJ 6a, then take 6c back to the stables parking lot. I • No picking or collecting o H O Mina Lakes - Riley Lake Loop C<D For free distribution ;N Trails 8 and 2, 9 km return (3—4 hours) <m Trailhead: Jasper Activity Centre lot, near the start significance unknown), where you may see Barrow's Également offert en français z > of the Pyramid Lake Road. Follow Trail 8 to the left. This goldeneye ducks and loons. Past upper Mina Lake you CO CO trailhead is easily reached on foot from town. can shortcut back to town via Trail 8c. To reach O Rewards come early on this popular trail, which Riley Lake, small but scenic, continue on Trail 8, takes you to lower Mina Lake in less than 2 km. After following it along the south shore of Cottonwood Parks Parcs Canada Canada Canada the initial steady climb of 160 m, the trail follows the Slough. At the junction with Trail 2, turn right to north side of the lakes (locally pronounced "MINE-uh," get back to Jasper. Across the river Jasper Park Lodge to Maligne Canyon Trails 7e and 7, 7 km one way (2—3 hours) Share the valley Map-signs and trail markers These trail routes lie on the east side of the Trailhead: Visitor parking at Jasper Park Lodge. South of town Athabasca River, across from town. Reach them by The area where the Miette, Maligne and To help you find your way around the town-area This is a long route, mainly in the woods, with To reach these trails, take Highway 93 (the Icefields Athabasca rivers converge is critical habitat going east on Highway 16 for 1.9 km to the Moberly a fair bit of uphill. It's used mostly by cyclists. From trail network, the Friends of Jasper National Park Parkway) south toward Lake Louise. for elk, sheep, moose and deer, and for their have provided map-signs at trail intersections. Bridge, or south on Highway 93A for 0.6 km, then left the northeast corner of the parking lot, follow the predators, including wolves, cougars, grizzly to cross the river on the Old Fort Point bridge. These signs show you exactly where you are. yellow "7e" markers to the junction with Trail 7. bears and black bears. They are oriented such that you are looking Three kilometres of easy walking or cycling through a Valley of the Five Lakes Recent research suggests that human north when standing directly in front of one. Old Fort Point Loop mixed forest of lodgepole pine, spruce and old-growth Trails 9a and 9b, 4.2 km return (2-3 hours) use is displacing these large predators from To make extra sure you don't take a Trail 1, 3.5 km return (1—2 hours) Douglas-fir brings you to a marsh near a junction with Trailhead: 9 km south on Highway 93. some portions of this three-valley confluence. wrong turn, the Friends have also installed The areas shaded in grey are less disturbed Trailhead: From town or from Highway 16, the Lake Edith gated road. Stay on Trail 7 as it swings The five small lakes are the highlights of this outing, numbered trail markers at each intersec­ follow Highway 93A to the Old Fort Point/Lac right and begins the climb to the upper parking lot at which is a popular family hike. Trail 9a begins with an by people and development, and so are especially important for movement of these tion. Just look around and find the yellow Beauvert access road. Turn left, cross the Athabasca Maligne Canyon.