Up early about 5.30 am we walked down to the camp lake and watched the container train snake it's way around the edge of the lake hauling its hundreds of carriages.The thunderous drum of the three Diesel engines at the front and the one locomotive that pushed up the rear contrasted paradoxically with the high pitched squeals of metal on metal as these monsters ground their way along the railway tracks. Still, if you blocked this from your mind the serenity, morning reflections of the towering peaks and stillness of the water was awe inspiring.
After packing up the camp.... Chucking everything in the boot, divorced from their covers and straps we headed back to JASPER and onto Maligne Lake.
Another beautiful setting after another awe inspiring drive with huge, craggy mountains in front, beside and behind, many glacier covered.
We investigated the wild idea of hiring a canoe and transporting all our neatly packed camp gear 2 hours up the river for a real wilderness experience!! Our adrenalin was up, our resolve taking shape.... Then we were told we had to have a permit and the handful of suitable bear safe sites were booked 3 months earlier. Dam it!!.
It was getting late and we knew we should look for a night nest. So we went off to Maligne Canon and went exploring the fantastic Gorge instead!
Now it was getting late and we really needed to find a camp. After driving for some hours and reading many 'NO VACANCY' signs we once again found a National park bush alpine spot. I had been hoping for a shower and hot water but pit toilets would have to do again!
Wonderful fire and gourmet tea of baked beans/ spaghetti with strips of ham and lumps of Swiss cheese thrown in.... Bliss. Oh and yes..... Warm bottle of Sav Blac. Slept like a log .