This past Thanksgiving Weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) we set out for a 5-night back country canoe trip on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada. Maligne (Mah-leen..rhymes with clean) is a French word meaning malignant, or wicked....
This past Thanksgiving Weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) we set out for a 5-night back country canoe trip on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada. Maligne (Mah-leen..rhymes with clean) is a French word meaning malignant, or wicked. We were certainly hoping the lake wouldn't live up to its name this weekend, but this time of year and in the Canadian Rocky Mountains you never know what the weather will be like. This photo gallery is part 1 our trip, because some trips can't be summed up in just one gallery. Without further ado, here is part 1 - Canoeing to Hidden Cove on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.
We were fortunate to have a beautiful fall day to start our multi-day Canadian Rocky Mountain canoe trip. The fall colours were in their glory. Views from the road as we drove into Jasper National Park were incredible.
What a perfect start to our trip. Only a week earlier, the forecast was calling for the dreaded 4-letter S-word...snow. We talked about it and decided to tough it out. After all, if it was too cold and miserable we could always just paddle out....
What a perfect start to our trip. Only a week earlier, the forecast was calling for the dreaded 4-letter S-word...snow. We talked about it and decided to tough it out. After all, if it was too cold and miserable we could always just paddle out. Fortunately, the weather was warm and Jasper National Park looked spectacular.
Spotting wildlife in Jasper National Park is quite common. Today was no exception. The Big Horn Sheep caused a bit of a traffic jam on the Yellowhead Highway. There are many places in the park where the speed limits are lowered due to animal...
Spotting wildlife in Jasper National Park is quite common. Today was no exception. The Big Horn Sheep caused a bit of a traffic jam on the Yellowhead Highway. There are many places in the park where the speed limits are lowered due to animal crossings. It is for a good reason because there are frequently wildlife enjoying these areas.
The view of Maligne Lake and the historic boat house were stunning on this beautiful autumn day. It's hard to believe that just about exactly (within a few weeks) of our last fall visit here it was actually a winter wonderland. Thankfully, that...
The view of Maligne Lake and the historic boat house were stunning on this beautiful autumn day. It's hard to believe that just about exactly (within a few weeks) of our last fall visit here it was actually a winter wonderland. Thankfully, that wasn't the case this time. Calm waters, blue sky and a sunny warm day makes the perfect start to our Maligne Lake adventure canoe trip.
Continue beyond the main visitor stop towards Bald Hills to find the Maligne Lake boat launch and parking area. This is where Maligne Lake paddling adventures begin. There is free firewood available here. Be sure to pick some up as there is...
Continue beyond the main visitor stop towards Bald Hills to find the Maligne Lake boat launch and parking area. This is where Maligne Lake paddling adventures begin. There is free firewood available here. Be sure to pick some up as there is limited firewood at the campsites on the lake.
As we were driving out to Jasper National Park that day, we needed somewhere to camp so that we could get an early start the next morning. We decided to paddle to the first campground on Maligne Lake, Hidden Cove. It is an easy 4km paddle that...
As we were driving out to Jasper National Park that day, we needed somewhere to camp so that we could get an early start the next morning. We decided to paddle to the first campground on Maligne Lake, Hidden Cove. It is an easy 4km paddle that took us less than 50 minutes to get to. It is a charming little campground and a perfect stop for families and beginner paddlers.
Hidden Cove is the only campground on Maligne Lake with a cook shack/emergency shelter. This cute little cabin is a cozy spot for meals and keeping warm.
These are the food storage lockers available at each campground on Maligne Lake. These lockers are large enough to hold a cooler or food barrel. It is important to keep all food, toiletries, dishes and anything else that smells good in these...
These are the food storage lockers available at each campground on Maligne Lake. These lockers are large enough to hold a cooler or food barrel. It is important to keep all food, toiletries, dishes and anything else that smells good in these lockers day and night. This helps deter unwanted wildlife encounters and are an important safety feature.
Inside the cozy cook shack there is a wood burning fireplace and an emergency firewood supply. Parks staff request that campers do not use this firewood as it is reserved for emergencies such as paddlers capsizing in the freezing cold lake...
Inside the cozy cook shack there is a wood burning fireplace and an emergency firewood supply. Parks staff request that campers do not use this firewood as it is reserved for emergencies such as paddlers capsizing in the freezing cold lake waters. There is another supply of firewood available for use outside for campers to enjoy.
Each campground on Maligne Lake has a logbook for adventure seekers to write something about their experience. Sitting in this charming cabin and gazing at the view out the window could inspire anyone to write a story.
Hidden Cove has a unique bathroom feature that we didn't see elsewhere on the lake. There is a urinal for the men with directions for them to aim carefully. The reason for the urinal is to save space in the barrel toilets so that they don't fill...
Hidden Cove has a unique bathroom feature that we didn't see elsewhere on the lake. There is a urinal for the men with directions for them to aim carefully. The reason for the urinal is to save space in the barrel toilets so that they don't fill up as quickly.
Hidden Cove's washroom is a barrel toilet. There are different seats to use depending on if the barrel beneath it full or not. Once full, Parks staff switch out the barrels. Eventually staff return in helicopters to lift the barrel out and to...
Hidden Cove's washroom is a barrel toilet. There are different seats to use depending on if the barrel beneath it full or not. Once full, Parks staff switch out the barrels. Eventually staff return in helicopters to lift the barrel out and to take them for proper disposal.
As unpleasant as backcountry washrooms can be they do sometimes come with a splendid view. This loo with a view looks out across Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park Alberta Canada. These 'facilities' had the best view of all the washrooms on...
As unpleasant as backcountry washrooms can be they do sometimes come with a splendid view. This loo with a view looks out across Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park Alberta Canada. These 'facilities' had the best view of all the washrooms on Maligne Lake. #BestLooWithaView
Since we had the campground to ourselves, we chose Hidden Cove's campsite #3. It is the one with the best view overlooking the Hidden Cove on Maligne Lake. There are only four-sites here. The first site is an assisted accessible campsite so that...
Since we had the campground to ourselves, we chose Hidden Cove's campsite #3. It is the one with the best view overlooking the Hidden Cove on Maligne Lake. There are only four-sites here. The first site is an assisted accessible campsite so that people with reduced mobility can also enjoy Canada's backcountry and paddling on the world famous Maligne Lake.
Enjoying a moment of tranquility watching the sun as it begins to set at Hidden Cove in Jasper National Park. It was such a calm and peaceful evening. There wasn't a sound to be heard, no traffic, no people, no animals or water, not even leaves...
Enjoying a moment of tranquility watching the sun as it begins to set at Hidden Cove in Jasper National Park. It was such a calm and peaceful evening. There wasn't a sound to be heard, no traffic, no people, no animals or water, not even leaves rustling in a breeze. Just serene and soothing quiet.
It's probably not surprising that our best selfie of a 5-night backcountry canoe trip was on day 1 when we are feeling fresh and are looking forward to the adventure to come. This is night 1 of 5 on Maligne Lake in Jasper. It was forecast to be...
It's probably not surprising that our best selfie of a 5-night backcountry canoe trip was on day 1 when we are feeling fresh and are looking forward to the adventure to come. This is night 1 of 5 on Maligne Lake in Jasper. It was forecast to be the coolest night too.
Check out this view of Maligne Lake looking out from the Hidden Cove campground. What a gorgeous spot. What a beautiful sunset. Who couldn't be happy in a place like this? It is only a short and easy paddle to get here. Why not plan a...
Check out this view of Maligne Lake looking out from the Hidden Cove campground. What a gorgeous spot. What a beautiful sunset. Who couldn't be happy in a place like this? It is only a short and easy paddle to get here. Why not plan a mini-backcountry experience to spend a night here? Afterall, what could be more Canadian than finding your inner voyageur spirit and canoeing in the Rocky Mountains on one of its most famous lakes? Don't forget to pack your Hudson’s Bay blanket and maple syrup.
Looking out at Maligne Lake from Hidden Cove. This is the direction we will be paddling in the next day with the goal being to reach Fisherman's Bay Campground and to enjoy a stop at Spirit Island.