Exploring Coal Mine Trail in Jasper National Park
At only 900m in length, the Coal Mine Trail is a short loop in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There is little elevation gain, and the trail is paved making it an accessible outdoor experience. The trail is interesting as is leads adventure seekers...
At only 900m in length, the Coal Mine Trail is a short loop in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There is little elevation gain, and the trail is paved making it an accessible outdoor experience. The trail is interesting as is leads adventure seekers past the ruins of an old coal mine.
I had difficulty finding information about this route prior to our hike. This is likely because it has been known by several names over the years including the Mine Trail, the Coal Mine Trail, the Lower Loop, the Pocahontas Mine Trail and the Pocahontas Collieries. The trail was renamed in 2022 and is now referred to as the Coal Mine Trail (Parks Canada Website), the Lower Loop (Trail Maps) or simply the Mine Trail (Road Sign and Trail Maps). There is a 1 km Upper Loop to the trail that leads to Punchbowl Falls.
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I had difficulty finding information about this route prior to our hike. This is likely because it has been known by several names over the years including the Mine Trail, the Coal Mine Trail, the Lower Loop, the Pocahontas Mine Trail and the Pocahontas Collieries. The trail was renamed in 2022 and is now referred to as the Coal Mine Trail (Parks Canada Website), the Lower Loop (Trail Maps) or simply the Mine Trail (Road Sign and Trail Maps). There is a 1 km Upper Loop to the trail that leads to Punchbowl Falls.
At less than 1km in length, the Coal Mine Trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada is a short and easy hike. Additionally, the trail is paved, making this a more easily accessible outdoor adventure. This trail is within walking distance to...
At less than 1km in length, the Coal Mine Trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada is a short and easy hike. Additionally, the trail is paved, making this a more easily accessible outdoor adventure. This trail is within walking distance to the Miette Mountain Cabins.
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The Coal Mine Trail has a picnic area with some tables on a small grassy hill and others that are on a paved surface accessible to the trail.
17 December 2023
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12 months ago
taken in
Highway 16 East, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
There are numerous benches along the Coal Mine Trail in Jasper so there are plenty of places for people to rest and enjoy the view of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
17 December 2023
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12 months ago
taken in
Highway 16 East, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
The Coal Mine is on the former Townsite of Pocahontas, Alberta. This was a town built in 1908 to service the mining operations of the area. At its peak there were 2,000 residents living here. The mine was shut down in 1921 due to a drop in market...
The Coal Mine is on the former Townsite of Pocahontas, Alberta. This was a town built in 1908 to service the mining operations of the area. At its peak there were 2,000 residents living here. The mine was shut down in 1921 due to a drop in market prices and the coal being of poor quality.
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Since 1930 and the passing of the National Parks Act, mining is no longer permitted in any of Canada's National Parks. Since the closure of the mine the forest has reclaimed all that is left of the former townsite and its mine.
17 December 2023
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12 months ago
taken in
Highway 16 East, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Where some of the remnants of the old town and its mining operations are fenced off, others have been left open and can be explored. Be careful when exploring the ruins and watch your footing as the concrete is degrading and uneven and in some...
Where some of the remnants of the old town and its mining operations are fenced off, others have been left open and can be explored. Be careful when exploring the ruins and watch your footing as the concrete is degrading and uneven and in some places, there is rebar that sticks out.
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I didn't find much information about the trail before heading out and there are no longer any interpretive signs along the path so we were pleasantly surprised to find an old entrance to the coal mine. Access to the mine has been blocked off....
I didn't find much information about the trail before heading out and there are no longer any interpretive signs along the path so we were pleasantly surprised to find an old entrance to the coal mine. Access to the mine has been blocked off. Since the structure has become unstable entrance into it is not permitted.
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Another interesting find along the Coal Mine Trail in Jasper National Park is this old building. I'm not sure what it was used for, perhaps storage? The two structures that we found are located along the paved pathway.
17 December 2023
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12 months ago
taken in
Highway 16 East, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Another quick and easy stop near the Coal Mine Trail is Punchbowl Falls. The falls are a short drive further up the Miette Road and are before the winter road closure point. There is a pullout for Punchbowl Falls with a very short trail to the...
Another quick and easy stop near the Coal Mine Trail is Punchbowl Falls. The falls are a short drive further up the Miette Road and are before the winter road closure point. There is a pullout for Punchbowl Falls with a very short trail to the top of the falls.
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The best view of the falls from above is near the midpoint on the bridge. The falls didn't seem like much when we visited, however this was in mid-December. I bet the view is more interesting in the spring when the waters are high due to the...
The best view of the falls from above is near the midpoint on the bridge. The falls didn't seem like much when we visited, however this was in mid-December. I bet the view is more interesting in the spring when the waters are high due to the spring run off. I would like to hike to the falls from the Upper Loop to see if there is a better view. This will have to wait until our next visit as we were short on time for the hike since we had too much fun exploring Jasper earlier in the day.
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Just a fun little Canada Adventure Seeker shot at Punchbowl Falls in Jasper National Park Alberta Canada.
17 December 2023
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12 months ago
taken in
Punchbowl Falls, Improvement District No. 12, AB T0E 0E0, Canada
The nearby cabins and campground were also called Pocahontas until 2022 when they were both re-named the Miette Mountain Cabins and the Miette Campground. The new name was adopted out of respect for the historical and cultural significance of the...
The nearby cabins and campground were also called Pocahontas until 2022 when they were both re-named the Miette Mountain Cabins and the Miette Campground. The new name was adopted out of respect for the historical and cultural significance of the area. The renaming process was done in collaboration with First Nations communities. It also makes sense as both are located on Miette Road which leads to one of Jasper National Park's famous attractions, the Miette Hot Springs.
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The main lodge at the Miette Mountain Cabins has a cozy lounge area for guests to enjoy and to relax in. This room is next to the Games Room making the main lodge a fun place to hangout.
17 December 2023
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12 months ago
taken in
Highway 16 East, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
The Games Room at the Miette Mountain Cabins looks like fun. There are tables for playing cards and games at, darts, pool, foosball and even shuffleboard.
17 December 2023
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12 months ago
taken in
Highway 16 East, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
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Love the Miette cabins in Jasper! Looks like another amazing trip to the Rocky Mountains! -
Cora Lee Rennie Actually, it is the same trip where we stayed at Overlander Mountain Lodge. We just popped into the cabins looking for lunch. -
Janet Guthrie love it all the same! Anywhere in Jasper is beautiful! It’s a vibe!
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Cora Lee Rennie I agree, I love Jasper too
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Very cool tour of the area -
Andrea Horning thank you
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