Go to Jasper and see the famous Japanese ice axe from Mt.Alberta or the only quicksand in Alberta!

Jasper Museum

Raining in Jasper? Go on over to the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum which is found at 400 Bonhomme St – near the RCMP station – and costs about $6 per adult. Here you will finally have the opprtunity to see for yourself the great ice axe left by the Japanese team atop Mt.Alberta in the early part of Canadian mountainerring. A wonderful, relaxing, informative and modern musuem, this one in Jasper is not to be missed by any new-age adventurer wanting to see the past exploits. An original Jasper the Bear statue will greet you at the door, however, if you want a photo of Jasper the Bear outside, you can find one on Patricia Street on the north end of the main town park across from the fire hall.

In the 2015 season, Jasper hosted a tribute to Frank Smythe, famous climber and the first ascentionist of local peak Mt.Colin.

Quicksand, Lake Annette and Jasper Lake

Other rest day sights may include checking out the quicksand and the only good sunbathing beach in Jasper, Lake Annette, located about 10km north of town. This is the place to hang out in the summer to take in some rays, play frisbee, baseball all under the comanding views of Mount Edith Cavell.

Driving north of town about 30km is Jasper Lake on the north side of Highway 16. Park carefully along the highway near small hills with sand dunes and walk down to the lake. In the summer months this is agreat place to stretch and walk out, very very far across the lake without the water level hardly going above your knees. Very strange, very pleasant way to kill an hour and enjoy the mountains from the middle of a lake. Always take care venturing out into bodies of water you are not familiar with.

Horseshoe Lake

The rain is gone, the days are heating up, Horseshoe Lake 25km south of town has been a cliff jumpers paradise for decades. A lake shaped like a horseshoe with cliffs starting at only a few feet to upwards of 80ft! Be extremly cautious if attempting this activity. Even if jumping into cold water is not your thing, walking about the beautiful Caribean blue waters is worth the short hike from the parking lot.

Evening is approaching now, your day is winding down, drive, walk or bike 3km from town east to Old Fort Point, a short yet magnificant hike to start your Jasper panorama photography. Take Highway 93A from Connaught Street ,cross Highway 16 and head south turning left to Old Fort Point road that crosses the bridge. Park in the lot. Walk up the wooden stairs and follow obvious trail to the top of two distinct bald humps. Moonlight fun!

Jasper Totems

Jasper has had a long history with totem poles in the Park. The famous Raven Totem Pole was erected in Jasper near the train station in 1915 and was removed in 2009 so it could be returned to its home in Haida Gwaii. In 2011 it was replaced with the Two Brothers Totem Pole also from Haida Gwaii. This new totem pole can be seen across from the main park in the center of town.