Day 12 – Monday 5th June - Mount Robson to Jasper

The day starts with the short drive to the parking lot for the Kinney trail below the imposing sight of Mount Robson.  I had already picked this walk out as one with potential and it was also recommended by Chris and Hilary.  It was the perfect day, without a cloud in the sky, as we set off from the RV parking.  The trail follows the Robson River through mostly evergreen trees with a few open clearings and we are glad of the shade and the sound of the river is a constant companion as it tumbles along from its source at Kinney Lake.  There are butterflies flitting ahead of us leading us on up the gentle slope, with occasional glimpses of Mount Robson clear of cloud just ahead.   We reach the bridge which crosses the river and round the next bend the lake in its magnificent setting is revealed in all its glory!  The lake is a pristine turquoise blue, and fills the glacial valley with mountains soaring above it on three sides.  Along with others who have made the walk we stand in awe at the scene.


The return walk, gently down hill this time returns us to the RV and we set off for the next leg of our tour through the mountains and on to Jasper.  The weather is perfect on this section of the Yellowhead Highway and the scenery as we progress through the mountain passes very impressive.  There are mountains on either side and also ahead of us.  On our right the Fraser River and switching at times from one to the other the railway shares the same limited flattish valley bottom.  As so often in Canada we see freight being moved across the country by rail.  Tankers, double decked containers and mineral trucks, generally pulled by two locomotives, pushed by one and with another in the middle.  We are told later that these freight trains can be up to four kilometers long and are operated by two people!

At some point we pass from British Columbia into Alberta and through the gateway to the Jasper National Park where in most years the Park toll is paid.  This year as part of the 150th Celebrations of Canada’s existence as a nation the levy is waived and admittance is free.  Regardless of this we are still obliged to show that we have a pass!


We reach the Whistler Campground at Jasper and that evening we have the usual gathering and briefing and discuss with Simon and Helen whether we shall do something together.  The favoured option being to take the “Jasper Tramway” gondola to the top of Mount Whistler.

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