North towards Jasper, Canada

​I got a very early start and made it to Goats and Glacier Lookout. I was the only one here and got to witness a glorious view. Today was bright blue sky day. The color and contrast was stunning, but fortunately, I did not witness any goats. Next was Athabasca Falls. I spent about 45 minutes here, climbing stairs up and down to witness these raging falls, going through a slot canyon. I was by myself again until a couple of tour buses arrived. One sign mentioned a death every couple of years as people climb around the chain-link fence along the cliff of the falls. “The steep drop, on slippery icy rocks, as well as the onset of hypothermia, is a quick end.” Yikes!

I stopped briefly in charming Jasper, as the train was rolling in. I then headed north towards Dawson Creek. While in town, I double checked the options for camping. The driving here is rather remote with very little traffic as I was directed straight up a very steep hill with plenty of signs indicating that chains would be needed!? Then suddenly the pavement ended, and it became a gravel road! I looked at GPS which indicated another two hours towards my camp, but I was confused as to why I was on a dirt road when I realized that I was headed into an alternate direction. This lesson was to check and double check Google destinations to make sure I am in fact going where I intended. Damn. Nevertheless, it took me about 5 miles out of my way before I could turn around and head back. My reward for going back was the incredible view from the top of this particular mountain. After getting gas, I decided to find a dispersed campsite just north of Grande Cache, pretty close to the highway, where I can see, and hear the cars, but I am tucked in behind the woods along a river. So far no one has been around. It’s blissful, and I spent the night alone in peace.

















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