PHOTOS: The very best of Jasper National Park, Canada

As a Dutch person, being born and raised in a far too overpopulated country where every form of (wild)life needs to be controlled in favour of humans and everything is about the endless wheel of industry, capitalism and consumerism, it was just so overwhelming to behold the endless wild landscapes, mountainous backdrops and huge amount of animals in Jasper National Park.

What a luxury to live here, my mind was saying over and over again. It’s difficult not to be impressed by the rugged beauty of Jasper and its locals ???, located right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies

When I arrived in Jasper from Vancouver a huge snowstorm had already locked in the little town on both the east and south side. It wasn’t possible anymore to drive the famous Icefields Parkway (one of the most gorgeous highways in Canada) to Banff and temperatures had already dropped to -15 C at night. I got slightly nervous because of that, as wasn’t really prepared for a very Canadian winter in half September. Usually, around this time of year, the Rockies are still experiencing an ‘indian summer’, but in the end I was so so happy that I didn’t I didn’t miss out the many snowy views. As autumn hadn’t fully passed either, many mountains were both covered in foliage and snow. How lucky I was.

I’ll try to give you a glimpse of my week in Jasper in here! And if you’re also a giant fan of moose, check out this ‘moosie’ photo gallery!

The Talbot Lake in the north of Jasper on the 16 towards Edmonton

Bighorn sheep munching on the Old Fort Point

Driving along Patricia Lake with the Pyramid Mountain in the back

Gorgeous Lac Beauvert

A moose striking a pose

Again Lac Beauvert, but now from the other side facing the east

Foliage and snow along the Old Fort Point Loop Trail

A female bighorn sheep with the baby

A fine view on the way to Pyramid Lake

The bridge to Pyramid Island on Pyramid Lake

Pinky hour has arrived at Medicine Lake

Winter is coming and all animals, also this elk, are non-stop munching

Hiking around the ‘Valley of the Five Lakes’ and I believe this was lake number 4

A bighorn sheep having a blissful moment

Sunset at Maligne Lake, the last rays are bouncing off perfectly on the lake

I made this picture from the car on my way to the Miette Hot Springs

I came during rutting season and one of the rangers had already warned me this is a very unfortunate time to stand in between the elks, as the bulls can get aggressive. So yes, it was my zoom that came this close.

Another pretty view on the Pyramid Mountain with the signature Canadian red chairs. Made on the trail to Katherine Lake

A lonely canoe on Pyramid Lake

Just a nice little foliage snap

When I was on the way to Maligne Lake I needed a bathroom stop.. quite a nice view I encountered, don’t you think?

Pyramid Mountain as seen from Lac Beauvert

Rafting is a popular activity in Jasper and despite the cold and snow, the tours were still being arranged. This shot is taken on my way to Old Fort Point and you can see the town of Jasper in the background on the left

On my first day in Jasper and I already spotted a big herd of bighorn sheep!

Valley of the Five Lakes: lake number 3!

The trail around the Valley of the Five Lakes. The beginning was still pretty okay, but as soon as I came closer to the lakes, the trails were just so incredibly slippery

The lovely combination of foliage and snow was all around

A munching squirrel around on the Old Fort Point Loop

A couple of bighorn sheep are unfortunately so used to tourists (who are feeding them, even though forbidden!) that they come close to the road. This one I saw next to Medicine Lake