Miette Hot Springs

Day 6

June 26,26 Friday

Drive Maligne Canyon in Jasper NP to Maligne Lake

Tried to take a short hike along the Maligne River in the “bridges” section. It was the only trail open after the fire. That hike didn’t last long… needed our muck boots. The river is high and every little side stream is flowing… water underground. We decided to bail on that walk and drive the 24 miles up to see Maligne Lake.

Maligne Lake….nowhere to park! The drive up was beautiful. The mountains have a sheer face down to Medicine Lake.

The Maligne River starts as a full river from the lake. It flows down to Medicine Lake. At the bottom of Medicine lake it seems to disappear underground through a giant rock field then suddenly reappears as a fast river! Very interesting area.

Quick photo of Maligne Lake since we couldn’t find a place to park.

We stopped at a picnic spot and saw this Marmot. I missed getting his head in the photo before his pals “whistled” and off he sped off into the rocks.

About 12:30 pm the rain starts. Looks like we’re in for cool, wet weather for several days. Time to go to Miette Hot Springs. 10 miles into the forest above the main highway (all paved). We spent about an hour soaking. It was moderately busy this afternoon but still enjoyable. Two big pools.. one deep. The shallower one was mostly busy with little people. Big pools 39’C (102’F) and two cold plunge pools. 17/19’ C (66-69’F)

A view of the hot springs. The locker rooms and showers were nice and clean.
Well kept up resort.

First bear sighting on the drive down to the highway. Little black bear.

The last of the mountains on our way to Hinton. It’s their Canadian Rocky front.

Hinton, Alberta was our stop for the night. Camped for free RV parking at a local grocery store. Freson Bros grocery store. They have picnic tables in the parking area and they open at 6am with clean washrooms, Starbucks (if needed) it located inside. This will work perfect for us. There is a Walmart just up the road and they are competing for business. Turns out it’s a nice supermarket too.