Cavell Meadows

We were just passing through Jasper; we had to get out by evening because our park pass had expired. But how can you really just pass through Jasper without stopping? So we succumbed to the lure of Mt Edith Cavell. We'd never been there before and were surprised by the very narrow road with hairpin turns to get there. Despite the precarious road, it turns out this is a pretty popular destination. Most people, however, just park in the parking lot and take the short walk to the little iceberg laden lake below Angel Glacier. This is quite a nice walk, so don't miss it, but maybe do it in the early morning or late evening so you're not constantly passing people or being prodded on by the people behind.

Going up to the meadows is a bit of a climb. Once you leave the trail to the lake you start climbing through the trees. These are quickly left behind for the open hillside meadows. As soon as you get into the meadows, the view across to the glacier is amazing, and doesn't change too much as you get higher. If you get to the top though, you get to see across the broad rounded top of the hill you've been climbing towards Jasper. It's not a bad hilltop, as far as hilltops go. The trail officially ends here (or loops actually - you can go down a little differently than you came up), but it looked like quite a few people had gone on to the small peak to the south.

When you're in the meadows make sure to stay on the designated trails so you don't trample down the meadows here. You are one of maybe 40 000 people to visit this place, so it's good to be careful.

If you want good light on the glacier for taking pictures, go early in the morning. We went in the evening, and the sun was blinding us as we were looking at the glacier.

To get here, take the 93A - it branches off from the icefields parkway. There will be a turnoff to the west with a sign for Mt Edith Cavell. Drive down this narrow winding road till you get to the end.