We have a limited time in Jasper National Park as we make our way back to the Lower 48, so I wanted to do at least one memorable hike. After checking out several, I decided to do the Sulphur Skyline - a 6-mile hike with a 2,300 foot elevation gain in the 3 miles to the top where there are 360-degree views.
It's also a very popular hike that begins next to the Miette Hot Springs, so lots of people combine the hike with a soak in the hot springs afterward. Therefore, I prepared last night and left the rig around 6:00 a.m.
It took about an hour, and here are a few photos from my early morning drive.
There was plenty of parking when I arrived, but that would change as the day progressed.
There are signs for hiker parking, but no signs for the Sulphur Skyline Trail. Eventually, I found it a bit to the right of the hot springs entrance.
The sign at the trailhead shows 5k to Sulphur Ridge, so that would be 10k round-trip or a little over 6 miles.
I met a couple from Florida, Mike & Pam, and we hiked the first part of the trail together. It starts out as a paved path, but it starts uphill pretty quickly and changes to dirt.
There wasn't a lot to photograph in the first mile or so. The only shots I took were of these directional signs at a junction.
After my first wardrobe change to peel off a layer, I hiked on ahead of Mike & Pam, and eventually came out to a clearing with a nice view.
Then the trail continued up in the trees for a while.
I passed one couple coming down, and they said I was getting close to the tree line, ....
and there was one more uphill push to the top of this rounded mountain.
There was flat spot with a couple of benches, and I took the opportunity to put my coat, gloves, and knit cap back on. It was cold and windy up there.
Then I started up the last part of the trail.
As I was getting just past those last few trees, Mike & Pam had arrived at the flat area. Mike yelled up to me to get my attention. Pam spotted a bear on the ridge about a hundred yards to my left. If they hadn't told me, I probably would have walked right by without seeing it.
Very cool. I never get to see bears on my hikes (well, Katmai National Park excluded). I tried to zoom in, but it was still pretty far away.
It was a big Black Bear, and it was a treat to watch it..
Mike & Pam hiked up to where I was so they could get a better look. It was the first bear on a hike for them, and Mike was pretty excited while Pam was a bit more leery. The bear never got any closer and disappeared heading away from us.
Turning in the opposite direction, I snapped this shot, ....
and then this one behind us looking down to the flat area we just came from.
Wow, the trail then got really steep. I took this shot of Pam & Mike coming up behind me.
View looking west from the rocky top.
But it was the view to the east that was spectacular.
With the sun coming up in that direction and the overcast sky, the lighting wasn't good, but the beauty was evident.
The three of us had the views to ourselves for a little while. Pam took a photo for me.
It wasn't long before the floodgates opened, and a line of people were coming up.
I included several of them in photos for perspective.
The young lady in the pink was taking photos of others, so I asked if she would get another one of me with that eastern background.
As more and more hikers arrived, I decided it was time to head back down.
I was glad I brought my hiking poles. They sure helped take the pressure off my knees on the descent.
The return went quickly, and though a soak in the hot pools sounded great, I wasn't about to do that without Linda. Plus, the hot springs were a zoo, so they weren't that tempting.
It certainly wasn't an easy hike, but I really enjoyed it, especially since there were only a couple of people on the way up, the weather turned out to be pretty good, the views were fantastic, AND we had a bear sighting. Online sources indicated it takes three to four hours for fast, fit hikers and five to six hours for less experienced, less fit hikers - I'd say that's about right.
The day wasn't finished as I headed back to the campground and then went out for more later. But, I'm going to include the rest of the day in a separate post.
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