Jasper Skyline: One fine day 14 July 2007 by DJM

On 14 July 2007, 8 Ramblers enjoyed a 12.5-hour day hike across the 45km Jasper Skyline Trail in superb 25-degree weather. Despite some heat haze the views of Edith Cavell, Brussels, Robson etc were excellent. Although a bit wet in places, the trail was excellent and the corniced notch easily surpassed.

Skyline Tr.-The NOTCH

We drove up from Calgary in 3 cars via a supper stop in Jasper to arrive at the rustic Maligne Canyon YHA hostel, where we would be staying for 2 nights, around 9.00pm Friday 13 July 2007. After paying the $15 member or $20 non-member nightly fee and some organization we were in our bunks by 10.30pm. The temperature in my upper bunk was 29 C but cooled to 25 C when the alarm went off at 4.00am Saturday.

After a quick breakfast, we were joined by 2 other friends to whom we gave a ride to maligne lake. They would also hike the trail, but separate from the official Rambler group that was capped at 8, with another 5 on the waiting list. Rising through the trees in the relative cool, but pursued by many mosquitoes, we soon reached Little Shovel Pass for our first long stop. 2 friendly marmots entertained us.

Skyline marmots

Now above treeline for 20+ kms, we followed the excellent trail past the Snowbowl campground, 1 km from the Shangri-La cabin, to Big Shovel Pass for another break. Now well above treeline, there was a pleasant breeze and hazy sun, which succeeded in keeping the mosquitoes away, and ourselves relatively cool. My short speech on the importance of drinking at least 3 litres of water and applying good sunscreen to body parts eg legs not accustomed to the sun was met by applause.

The corniced Notch was easily passed with about 20m of snow steps, for further views and we continued to the final high point of Mt Amber (2400m).

The Notch last stretch

Mt.Amber summit

The trail continued past Tekarra campground, where we actually saw other people, to the top of the Signal Mountain gravel road. A last break, before we plodded down the switchbacks for 8 km to arrive at the Signal Mountain trailhead about 6.00pm and the welcome hostel soon after. This trailhead has Parks Canada's only sign referencing the Canadian Great Divide Trail. It is also wrong in that it claims this to be the Northern end, whereas the GDT continues at least 200km further North. Most of us cooled our feet in the nearby river, before collecting the cars, a few beers, a pre-cooked chicken dinner and early 9.30pm bed. Friends Cordula and Denis completed the trail by 7.30pm and joined us briefly before departing for dinner in Jasper. We all agreed that it had been an excellent day and even talked about other possible long day trips eg Northover traverse.

Mention must also be made of new rambler member Lisa, who was with us for most of Saturday. This would be unremarkable except that on the Friday she had run the 85km trail from Nigel Pass trailhead to Maligne Lake, before grabbing a few hours sleep to start up the Skyline Trail about 5.00am. About 130km and 3000 m elevation gain and loss in under 40 hours. Oh to be young (early 30’s). We shuttled her vehicle. All of the 8 Rambler participants were over 50, and 2 of the 6 men over 60. It was a great trip because of a great group.

Your author was the last up at 7.30am on the Sunday when after breakfast we all partook of a leisurely walk around the roaring Maligne canyon initially in light rain.

Maligne River

We returned to the hostel about 11.00am and departed soon after for the busy drive back to Calgary where I arrived about 5.00pm.

Also of note was vandalism to vehicles parked at the Signal Mountain trailhead, 0.7km from Maligne Canyon, on Friday 13 July 2007. When we stopped there at 8.45pm Friday there were 6 vehicles parked. 3 had smashed-in side windows, a 4th had been broken into without smashing a window, and the remaining 2 appeared untouched. Lisa’s van door lock had also been tampered with at Nigel Pass trailhead, nothing stolen. All was reported to the RCMP.

C & S David. Participants: Ivan, John, Susan, Kaare, Jeannine, Greg, Bob.