A perfect early season hike, Jacques Lake in Jasper is great for beginners, or those wanting something mellow to start the season with. Easy trail for 13km, with barely any elevation gain, you pass several lakes with big mountain views. Jacques Lake, the backcountry campsite destination, is beautifully situated on the lakeshore with forested tent pads.
We ventured out early June after a nice trip up the Icefields Parkway. Jacques Lake trailhead is just past Medicine Lake down the popular Maligne Lake Road. There were no other people around as we began to stroll down the trail.
We had heard there was a bridge washed out, so gaiters were donned and the trail was indeed a little wet ( for the Rockies that is- nothing like NZ!) The trail goes through the forest up very wide benched track for some time and then pops out at Beaver Lake, a popular fishing spot. This is a pretty lake.
Through some more forest with little elevation gain, we then arrived at summit lakes, with bigger views through the valley ahead to the big still snow-capped mountains.
The rest of the hike follows lush dense forest with a few creeks and then glimpses of the lake appear.
The campground boasts views across the lake to the Queen Elizabeth Range and further around the lake across a little bridge we explored the Parks Warden Cabin. Not a bad spot!
An excellent June adventure while waiting for the snow to melt.
