RTTMS June 21, 2011 To the Mountains

Bright, clear blue skies greeted us this morning when we got up. Dry riding once again!!!

Jeff and I loaded up in Grande Prairie, AB., and headed south on Highway 40 toward the Canadian Rockies in Jasper, Banff and Kootenay National Parks.
The route south passed through large forests used for logging and we passed a couple of very large lumber mills that make plywood, oriented strand board and medium density fiberboard.

The road was in good shape and provided wonderful views of the valleys, rivers and high ridges that cover this area. Not a lot of development with the exception of natural gas wells and pumping locations. It seems they have figured out a way not to screw up the local land to do the well drilling and collection of the gas.
We found a little wildlife while on the road with deer showing up once and a while. No moose, elk, sheep or bison.

We passed a large coal fired power plant next to a river and the coal mining operation was just across the highway. This was along Sheep Creek which was very fast flowing and didn't look like it was being polluted but the power plant. We could see the veins of coal in the side of the mountain.
We stopped at Grande Cache which is located on a high plateau with a wonderful view of the snow covered mountains to the south....the way we were going.
The further south we traveled, the mountains grew larger and more numerous in our windshields.

We quickly entered Jasper National Park and were treated to some of the most fantastic view of shear walled, snow capped mountains on all sides. Words are hard to use to describe the variety of sights before our eves. I will let some of these pictures tell part of the story.
We stopped several times to get better views of some of the peaks and valleys. Again, I will let the pictures talk. Even though a picture is worth a thousand words, these pictures do not begin to tell of the grandeur.
Aren't the views spectacular!!!! And more to come.

Jeff then had a mechanical problem and we stopped to adjust his chain. Not a big deal and we were quickly on our way.
The wonderful views continued.
This is called the Weeping Wall because of all of the waterfalls.

I could continue on for a long time but I think you get the idea about the views. The roads were terrific also.

We quickly passed out of the parks and into Radium Hot Springs. You have to pass through a large slot in the canyon. Kinda neat.
The motel was OK but the Internet connection was terrible and that is why I am completing this entry today.

Rode about 416 miles today, or 670 km.

More tomorrow.

Mike