Blog text and images by Patricia Banks©
In Jasper, the weather was perfect for hiking and painting! The beauty of the Valley of the Five Lakes, is second to none! We enjoyed every moment of our nine kilometer hike through forests, over the boardwalk traversing the marshes between lakes, up the mountain sides, and through wonderful wildflower meadows. Sparkling like jewels in the light, the lakes, of clear emerald green and turquoise blue water, were a surreal vision!
Painting Maligne Canyon was an exciting challenge in linear perspective to capture the vertical sides and the water so far below. Maligne Canyon has been aptly described as "a cave with the roof collapsed." It is made of porous, soluble limestone. In some places the canyon is only about six feet wide at the rim, but it can be as deep as 180 feet. In many places, it is wider at the bottom where the river flows, than it is at the top. Maligne Canyon was a highlight and the trail easily accessible. We hiked five and a half kilometers of the trail from the Teahouse down to 5th Bridge, and back. We were delighted by many impressive waterfalls and cascades along the way.
My favorite trees, the high altitude, trembling aspens, delicately danced with the slightest whispers of the wind.
In Jasper, the weather was perfect for hiking and painting! The beauty of the Valley of the Five Lakes, is second to none! We enjoyed every moment of our nine kilometer hike through forests, over the boardwalk traversing the marshes between lakes, up the mountain sides, and through wonderful wildflower meadows. Sparkling like jewels in the light, the lakes, of clear emerald green and turquoise blue water, were a surreal vision!
Painting Maligne Canyon was an exciting challenge in linear perspective to capture the vertical sides and the water so far below. Maligne Canyon has been aptly described as "a cave with the roof collapsed." It is made of porous, soluble limestone. In some places the canyon is only about six feet wide at the rim, but it can be as deep as 180 feet. In many places, it is wider at the bottom where the river flows, than it is at the top. Maligne Canyon was a highlight and the trail easily accessible. We hiked five and a half kilometers of the trail from the Teahouse down to 5th Bridge, and back. We were delighted by many impressive waterfalls and cascades along the way.
My favorite trees, the high altitude, trembling aspens, delicately danced with the slightest whispers of the wind.
