Day 13 - Maligne Canyon, Lake Edith, and Miette Hot Springs - 14/08/13

Today we decided to get a bit of an earlier start than normal, which meant that we were up for 9am :O

The parking lot was pretty empty by the time we got there and we walk along the designated walkway around the canyon (much like Johnston Canyon). The walk took us along the top of the canyon, which was much higher and narrower that Johnston Canyon. The current was also much faster, and it was more obvious of the powerful effects of the water that had eaten away large parts of the canyon walls with distinct spherical holes called 'potholes'. Also unusual was that much of the canyon river was being fed from underground rivers which could be seen erupting out from the cliff faces.

We decided to do the longer walk which takes two hours in total to a place called Sixth Bridge which took us through a dense forest. Upon arriving, we stopped for a bite to eat and looked at a map at local walking routes. Rather than go back the way we came, we decided to try and make this a circular walk and continue onto a nice little lake called 'Lake Edith' along the Athabasca River and through forests.  The walk was fairly easy in terms of verticality - it was mostly just flat paths. 

Once we got to the lake we quickly chose our way back. Upon reaching the path  entrance, we soon discovered it was closed due to bear attacks in the area. We then decided on our second route which was.. closed! After finding a route not closed of due to bears (but ran very close along the open space which was quarantined) we quickly headed back to our destination. After an hour or so of wondering where our next trail was, we consulted our tracking app to find that we had virtually done a full circle of the lake, and were back at the furthest point from our actual destination. Rather that backtrack, we decided to go back the way we came! After finally arriving at our origin, we'd covered 12.1 miles, and taken 7 hours to do so!

Tired, bruised, and blistered, and despite the late time, we decided to treat ourselves to a visit to the Miette Hot Springs to heal our broken bodies. On the way, we spotted someone photographing something in the trees off of the side of the road. We stopped to have a look, and on closer inspection we noticed it was an eagle just perched in the top of a tree.

On a map, the hot springs seemed to be just a few miles away. After over an hour of driving down a seemingly endless winding mountain road, we finally arrived. Thankfully the springs are open until late, and our late evening arrival meant that it was relatively quiet.

The hot springs are heated by natural springs, which are cooled from 54°C to a more comfortable 40°C. There was also a cold pool, which we were brave enough to dip in on one brief occasion. After a lengthy soak, we got something to eat from the cafe and headed back to attempt to salvage our planned early night, to be ready for an early start in the morning.