MONTHLY UPDATE - DECEMBER 2024
Hello and Happy December!
NP Summit is just 6 months away and we’re excited to share some big updates and info for your upcoming trip:
Registration Goes Live December 11!
We’re thrilled to announce that registration for all aspects of NP Summit 13 will be going live at 12am MST on December 11, 2024 (this Wednesday). Head to npsummit13.com on the 11th to sign-up for the Friday post-workout breakfast buffet, the Saturday relay race, and one of the following Edmonton experiences:
North Saskatchewan River Canoe Trip
Cooking Demonstration by Chef Shane Chartrand
Elk Island National Park Bison Tour
Ice Cream Walking Tour
Brewery Walking Tour
Extend Your Summit Trip in Alberta
On Monday, June 9, NP Calgary will be leading a hike starting near Lake Louise for anyone who wants to join. #JustShowUp!! More details to come.
Or, head out on your own. Alberta is a wonderful place with spectacular places to see and visit. The east side of the province has the golden fields of the prairies, the north is filled with boreal forest, the south central area has the rolling foothills and the west is bordered by our majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains.
If you can swing additional days or an extra week, we encourage you to combine your Summit trip with a visit to the iconic Canadian National Parks of Jasper and Banff in the Rocky Mountains.
Jasper National Park is the world’s second largest dark sky preserve and the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Jasper was hit by a devastating wildfire in the summer of 2024, but most of the park has reopened and visitors are welcome. Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park and sees over 4 million visitors every year. Within Banff National Park is the iconic destination of Lake Louise. Note that a Parks Canada Discovery Pass is required to enter the parks.
There are hundreds of hikes and activities to do in the National Parks - here are some of our favourites:
Jasper:
Miette Hot Springs – Located about 50km east of the Jasper townsite. The turnoff road to Miette is a few kilometres after the eastern park gates. The hot springs here are beautiful outdoor pools with mountains all around you. If you can’t fit these hot springs in, there is also Banff Upper Hot Springs in Banff.
Sulphur Skyline Trail – This hike starts at Miette Hot Springs. It will take a few hours and offers a spectacular view at the top. We like to finish the hike with a soak in the hot springs afterwards!
Valley of the Five Lakes – This is an easy hike close to Jasper. The colours of the five lakes are astonishing!
Lac Beavert at Jasper Park Lodge – The short walk around this lake takes less than an hour and it’s also fun to pop into the Lodge for lunch or a beverage. They usually have a fire going inside in the main lodge.
Maligne Lake – About 30 minutes from Jasper townsite. A boat tour will take you to Spirit Island (pictured below), one of the most photographed spots in Jasper. There are a number of hikes in this area, ranging from easy to difficult. Moose Lake is a short walk to a lake where we have, as the name suggests, encountered a moose!
Skyline Trail – One of the hikes near Maligne Lake, this iconic 44km trail includes almost 25km above the treeline crossing three mountain passes. It can be done as a backpacking trip over multiple days, or in a single day if you’re an experienced hiker. Note: this hike is challenging and not passable at certain times due to conditions so take caution.
Mount Edith Cavell – This is an excellent hike with interesting views of Angel Glacier. You have options to make it a longer or shorter hike, depending on how high up you want to go.
There are many other hikes and activities to consider during your visit to Jasper. Stop by the Jasper Park Information Centre in town for more ideas and trail conditions from the Parks Canada staff, especially important given the 2024 wildfire.
Spirit Island at Maligne Lake
Recommended stops along Highway 93 from Jasper to Banff:
Athabasca Falls – A short walk to see the falls.
Sunwapta Falls – Also worth the stop.
Parker Ridge – This is a good climb with impressive views of the Saskatchewan Glacier at the top.
Columbia Icefields – The most accessible glacier in the Rockies, it is also the best known and most visited, showing clear evidence of climate change with the shrinking glacier.
Banff/Lake Louise area:
Moraine Lake – One of the most instagrammable spots in the Rockies (pictured below). The access road is extremely busy. Parks Canada runs a shuttle to and from the lake as private vehicles are not permitted. Many great hikes up here, in addition to the views of gorgeous Moraine Lake.
Lake Louise – Sharing an access road with Moraine Lake, it is incredibly busy here in the summer. Using the shuttle or the Roam Bus will be your best bet. Private cars are permitted at Lake Louise but you will want to go early. Also note that there is a parking charge. Once you get to Lake Louise, you can explore the trail around the lake and hike to two seasonal teahouses! You can visit one or both teahouses on the same trip. Cash only at the teahouses.
Lake Agnes Teahouse – This is the hike for the aforementioned event hosted by NP Calgary on June 9. The trail starts at the Chateau Lake Louise. Be sure to take the side trip paths to the Little and Big Beehive for impressive views of Lake Louise and the Chateau.
Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse – The trail provides views of the glacial valley and with any luck, you might see some mountain goats!
Banff Half Marathon – Looking to add some more mileage to your trip? The Banff Half Marathon is on June 15, 2025. Have you ever had a race delay due to a grizzly bear? That’s what happened during this race last year!
Moraine Lake
That’s all for today. Remember to register starting on Wednesday, December 11 and stay tuned for more updates each month!
#JustShowUp
Rob & Eric
Co-leaders, November Project Canada
