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 Hinton,
Alberta's Gateway to
Jasper National Park
by Jerry W. Bird
Hinton offers you the best of both worlds, as I
learned when my son Ron and I visited the late
Mortie and Ann Milner who once owned a hotel in the
community. Mortie is one of the
"angels
on my shoulder“
I spoke about at the Yellowhead Highway
Association's last covention. At Hinton you're a
few hours west of Alberta's capital, yet on Jasper
National Park's majestic doorstep. From here, a
wonderland of crystal clear lakes, aromatic
evergreen forests, towering peaks and rushing
streams awaits your pleasure. How about a
challenging 18-hole golf course? Or some of
Alberta's best trout streams, where one can watch
every ripple, each darting move, clear to the rocky
creek bed? If you've ever fished in the Alberta
foothills, you'll know exactly what we mean. Nearby
attractions include Athabaska Lookout, Whitehorse
Wildland and William Switzer Provincial Parks,
Foothills Model Forest and Forestry Museum, Ogre
Canyon. Select from walking, hiking and theme tours
supervised by local guides. Come snow time, a world
class cross-country ski track beckons. For the
traveller making a quick stop, Hinton features a
recreation complex with an indoor swimming pool and
arenas.
Jasper National Park
Many travelers first love affair with Jasper's
Rocky Mountain paradise was by train, sprinting off
for souvenirs during a brief stop at the town
station. Today, most visitors arrive on four
wheels. By car you can seize the moment, cooling
off under a waterfall, standing bug-eyed at a
viewpoint, catching every photo opportunity. Allow
at least one extra day for this Rocky Mountain
high, which includes Maligne Lake, Jasper Lake,
Punchbowl Falls, the Whistlers, Pyramid Lake, Henry
House, Skyline Trail and Pocahontas for starters.
The hottest water on the entire drive (54°C)
is at Miete Hot Springs. Don't worry, it's cooled
to a comfortable 39° in the mineral pool. Near
the mouth of Rocky River, a cairn marks the Jasper
House National Historic Site, where a supply post
was built by the Northwest Company in
1813.
Jasper National Park is a
wildlife sanctuary, where deer and antelope play,
bighorn guard the peaks, elk and bears are
everywhere. A friend describes Jasper National Park
as follows, "Our first lodging here was a war
surplus tent; the most recent visit was years later
at luxurious Jasper Park Lodge, where the waiter
brought dinner to our cabin by bicycle. We've
enjoyed it both ways &endash; Jasper provided two
of life's greatest moments."
Continued
in Jasper Section
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