Hike to Edith Cavell

Hike on the base of Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper National Park
August 11, 2005.

Mount Edith Cavell is one of the most impressive features in Jasper National Park. It is clearly visible from many locations in and around the town of Jasper. It is 3363 Meters (11,033 Feet) above sea level. It's peak is almost always in the clouds and snow on it's slopes is common year round.

The hike we undertook was a total surprise to us. We thought it would be simply just another "walk in the woods". We had no idea that we were about to see such dramatic remnants of the ice age. To get to the trailhead you need to drive a fairly narrow road, 14 Kilometers through the forest, with a dozen or so switchbacks. Once you park your car, the hike itself is about 4 km return with an elevation gain of about 80 meters. A pretty easy hike all in all

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A pretty little lake by the side of the road on the way up to the trailhead.

Part of the trail is actually paved.

A decent view of mount Edith Cavell with it's "head in the clouds".

Remnants of an old glacier on the side of the mountain.

First view of the "bigger glacier" and glacial lake called, Cavell Pond, in front of it. It all looks pretty small at first but is quite large as you will see below.

Looking more and more impressive as we approach. If you look carefully you can see some people standing by the edge of the lake on the path on the left hand side of the photo.

Shirley, closer to the glacier but not yet there.

Getting closer still. Beautiful blue/green color of the ice. The sky was, unfortunately, quite overcast but, at least, no rain.

Big chunks of ice on the lake. This ice is over 10,000 years old.

Now you can get a better idea on the size of the glacier with the couple of persons standing by the edge of the lake.

Us.

Looking directly up at the "Angel Glacier" (clearly ignoring the posted sign which tells visitors never to stand under the glacier because of potential of avalanches and rock slides).

Looking back from where we came.

A long range view of Mount Edith Cavell from about 50 Kilometers away. You can get a better appreciation of the size of the Angel Glacier (the one at the center of the mountain). This photo is at the entrance of Jasper Lodge Hotel (Fairmount, X -CP Hotels chain).

Edith Cavell was an English citizen. During the first world war she worked as a nurse for the Belgian Red Cross helping both the German and the Allied armies. It is believed that she helped some 200 Allied forces escape. The Germans found out about this and executed her in 1915. The reason the glacier on the side of the mountain is called the "Angel" glacier is to honour Edith as she was often referred to as the "Angel of Mercy".

Click this link to read more about her.