{"id":1002,"date":"2015-07-03T08:41:35","date_gmt":"2015-07-03T14:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1002"},"modified":"2019-03-16T12:08:04","modified_gmt":"2019-03-16T18:08:04","slug":"athabasca-falls-miette-hot-springs-jasper-national-park-canada-7-30-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1002","title":{"rendered":"Athabasca Falls & Miette Hot Springs, Jasper National Park, Canada (7-30-14)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Athabasca River originates at the Columbia Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield in the Canadian Rockies.\u00a0 By the time the Athabasca reaches Athabasca Falls 30 km S of Jasper on the W side of the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93, it is already a large river.\u00a0 The Athabasca flows NE out of the Canadian Rockies to Athabasca Lake.\u00a0 Eventually the waters of the Athabasca reach Great Slave Lake and become part of the Mackenzie River system which flows NW into the Arctic Ocean.\u00a0 Athabasca Falls is 24 meters in height and a major tourist attraction.\u00a0 Parking lots and viewpoints can be accessed from Hwy 93A.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP woke up at 6:17 AM on July 30, 2014 to see sunrise on Mount Athabasca<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(11,453 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 It was already an incredibly warm 47 \u00b0F out.\u00a0 SPHP first heard and then saw a big chunk of ice and snow falling off the side of Snow Dome<\/a><\/span> (11,483 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0as dawn was breaking.\u00a0 The night had been clear and filled with amazing stars.\u00a0 Yesterday Lupe had been on wonderful hikes in the area to Parker Ridge<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and Wilcox Pass<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 It was time to press on to the N.<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a>
Mount Athabasca at dawn 7-30-14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP stopped at Sunwapta Falls to let Lupe see the falls again (she had been here in 2013)\u00a0and stretch her legs on the trail for a little while.\u00a0 From Sunwapta Falls, Lupe and SPHP continued N to SPHP’s favorite picnic area in Jasper National Park<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 This picnic area is just off the W side of Icefields Parkway Hwy No. 93 perhaps 8 to 10 km S of Athabasca Falls.\u00a0 For some reason it is unmarked and easy to pass by, but it is located in a forested area right next to the E bank of the mighty Athabasca River.<\/p>\n

\"Sunwapta<\/a>
Sunwapta Falls. The Sunwapta River starts at the Athabasca Glacier and is a tributary of the Athabasca River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe entertained herself playing with a tennis ball and barking at squirrels.\u00a0 SPHP had breakfast and watched the river roll on by.\u00a0\u00a0It was\u00a0going to be a very hot day for the Canadian Rockies and the Athabasca was running high.\u00a0 SPHP dawdled with little chores at the picnic ground for a while.\u00a0 No one else was around.\u00a0 The shade of the forest was pleasant and the view of high mountains to the W of the river was inspiring.<\/p>\n

\"Looking<\/a>
Looking downstream along the Athabasca river from SPHP’s favorite picnic ground in Jasper National Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking W across the Athabasca River from the picnic grounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was just a 10 minute drive to Athabasca Falls from the picnic area.\u00a0 The place was packed with tourists.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had to wait for their turn at many of the lookout points.\u00a0 The falls were amazing, though.\u00a0 The huge flow of water thundered into the\u00a0solid rock channel beneath the falls.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Trapped in\u00a0the narrow channel it churned and\u00a0frothed before flowing out into a wide open area a short distance downstream.\u00a0 Below the falls and the narrow channel, whitewater rafters were heading out for a trip downriver.<\/p>\n

\"Athabasca<\/a>
Athabasca Falls 7-30-14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe at Athabasca Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The narrow channel below Athabasca Falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rafters<\/a>
Rafters set out below Athabasca Falls. The river has been this gray, silt laden color every time Lupe has seen it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Athabasca<\/a>
Athabasca Falls is 24 meters high and rated Class V. Class V = Don’t even think about it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Just<\/a>
Just above Athabasca Falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP spent about 45 minutes at Athabasca Falls before continuing on to Jasper.\u00a0\u00a0It was 85 \u00b0F a little after noon when Lupe arrived.\u00a0 Jasper was\u00a0packed with tourists.\u00a0 SPHP took Lupe window shopping, all done on the shady side of the street.\u00a0 Lupe met and sniffed with many other doggies, so she wasn’t bored.\u00a0 By 1:30 PM it was 91 \u00b0F.\u00a0 SPHP took Lupe to a crowded beach at Pyramid Lake.\u00a0 Lupe did get to cool off in the water, but SPHP didn’t want to stay with the mob very long.\u00a0 SPHP bought ice cream.\u00a0 It melted very quickly.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had to consume all\u00a0they could at once.<\/p>\n

The heat sapped SPHP’s energy and all desire to go on any trails.\u00a0 Lupe wasn’t feeling any more ambitious than SPHP.\u00a0 She lay panting on a hot blanket in her fur coat in the G6.\u00a0 At 2:45 PM, SPHP decided to leave Jasper, turn on the AC for Lupe, and head NNE on Hwy 16.\u00a0 Lupe loved the AC and soon perked up.\u00a0 The temperature outside\u00a0peaked at\u00a094 \u00b0F.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t think it ever got that hot way up here, but it did.\u00a0 SPHP envisioned all the beautiful glaciers completely melting away.\u00a0 It wasn’t a happy thought.<\/p>\n

44 km east of Jasper, SPHP turned S on the road to Miette Hot Springs<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 Another 17 km along a forested mountain road\u00a0and Lupe arrived at the resort.\u00a0 Hot springs ordinarily wouldn’t have sounded good on a hot day like this one, but SPHP knew from past experience that Miette Hot Springs also has a couple of cool or even cold water pools.\u00a0\u00a0SPHP was looking forward to the cool water, but Lupe couldn’t be abandoned in the hot G6.\u00a0 It was going to be a long wait before things cooled down enough to leave Lupe alone for even a little while.<\/p>\n

Lupe was very interested in the herd of mountain sheep that roamed the grounds.\u00a0 Although there were signs everywhere saying not to feed them, there was a picnic area where the mountain sheep were obviously very used to dining.\u00a0 They came right up to people and demanded an invitation to the picnic.\u00a0 They didn’t get anything from Lupe, who barked at the mountain sheep furiously whenever they got close.\u00a0 The mountain sheep were not used to such\u00a0rude behavior and gave Lupe a wide berth.<\/p>\n

SPHP figured it was best to\u00a0separate Lupe from the mountain sheep.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP\u00a0headed down a road to a stream away from the picnic area.\u00a0 The stream was cold and clear.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0eagerly lapped up\u00a0the cold water.\u00a0 SPHP repeatedly dangled both feet in the water until they were so cold the bones ached.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stayed next to the stream for hours.\u00a0 Bees buzzed.\u00a0 Butterflies flitted around.\u00a0 SPHP got situated as comfortably as possible among the boulders along the stream bank, which wasn’t all that easy.\u00a0 Lupe curled up nearby.\u00a0 She\u00a0dozed with her head\u00a0resting on SPHP’s hand.<\/p>\n

The sun shone like a demon in the cloudless sky, but finally disappeared behind a high ridge to the SW.\u00a0 Things cooled off a bit.\u00a0 It was after 7:00 PM by the time it was cool enough to leave Lupe in the G6.\u00a0 She had water and was happy watching the mountain sheep.\u00a0 SPHP went and enjoyed Miette Hot Springs for an hour and a half.\u00a0 The cool pool was delightful.\u00a0 The cold pool soon made the hotter ones seem desirable.\u00a0 SPHP cycled back and forth between all the pools.<\/p>\n

At\u00a08:30 PM Lupe was glad to see SPHP returning to the G6.\u00a0 Watching mountain sheep has its limits when you can’t get at them for a fresh mutton dinner.\u00a0 For SPHP, Miette Hot Springs was a refreshing and wonderful time.\u00a0 Too bad Lupe couldn’t come to the pools, too, but SPHP would make it up to her.\u00a0 On the way back to Jasper, SPHP felt great and optimistic.\u00a0 It was a beautiful drive.\u00a0 Lupe rode in air conditioned comfort again, just happy to be with SPHP.\u00a0 Dingoes make the best friends!<\/p>\n

\"Athabasca<\/a>
Athabasca Falls 7-30-14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are three hot springs<\/a><\/span><\/strong> that Lupe and SPHP have been to in the\u00a0Canadian Rockies: Miette Hot Springs NE of Jasper, Banff Upper Hot Springs in Banff, and Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park.\u00a0 SPHP considers all of them very affordable and great bargains.\u00a0 While all are nice facilities, Miette Hot Springs is SPHP’s clear favorite of the three.<\/em><\/p>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunwapta Falls & Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park, Canada (7-28-13)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2014 Canadian Rockies & Beartooths Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or Master Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Athabasca River originates at the Columbia Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield in the Canadian Rockies.\u00a0 By the time the Athabasca reaches Athabasca Falls 30 km S of Jasper on the W side of the Icefields Parkway Hwy 93, it is already a large river.\u00a0 The Athabasca flows NE out of the Canadian Rockies … Continue reading Athabasca Falls & Miette Hot Springs, Jasper National Park, Canada (7-30-14)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[105,167,30,31,106,26,33,168,35],"class_list":["post-1002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2014-canadian-rockiesbeartooths","tag-american-dingo","tag-athabasca-falls","tag-canada","tag-canadian-rockies","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-jasper-national-park","tag-meitte-hot-springs","tag-mt-athabasca"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1050402.jpg?fit=1650%2C2200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1002"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20822,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions\/20822"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}