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Road Trip – not to be Overlooked

Posted bykagould17Posted inAlberta, FALL, Family, Jasper National Park, Pyramid Overlook Hike, TravelTags:, , , , ,

NOTE: This post contains slideshows and if you are reading it on your phone, it is best viewed direct from the SITE, rather than in the READER.

All photos take on September 25, 2021 during our Pyramid Overlook hike in Jasper National Park.

This is our go to hike for a first day in the mountains. Good distance at 6.8 km. (4 1/4 miles), relatively easy trail with some steep sections, a lot of roots and rocks and a few wet spots and not a huge elevation gain at 75 meters (246 feet). The trailhead starts at Parking Lot P7 at the North end of Pyramid Lake. Form there, you take trail 2b 3 km to 2h, then 2h 1.6 km to 2i, then 2i 1.1 km to 16 and from there 1.1 km back to the parking lot. This trail is supposed to take 1-2 hours, but we are proud to say it took us 2 hours and 40 minutes. We were in no hurry.

Starting off

Up at the Red Chairs – our resident rock climber tried climbing a tree – there are some good views down to the lake from here

from the Red Chairs to the first overlook – you never know who you will meet on this trail

First overlook point – some tremendous views down to Pyramid Lake Beach and the riding stables from this rocky point – our first family portrait attempt

Second overlook point and lunch stop – another family portrait and lots of candid shots here, including the sons trying to keep Mom’s hiking poles just out of reach

Third overlook toward Athabasca River, Jasper and Jasper Park Lodge

The walk down to the Pyramid Lake outfall stream

Back down by Pyramid Lake

A very enjoyable hike for the first day. Time to head back for some hot chocolate….

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Published by kagould17

Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement. I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure. I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.

23 thoughts on “Road Trip – not to be Overlooked”

  3. I’m always interested in where the suggestions for the hiking times come from as they always seem to be way off LOL. You’d have to be jogging to finish this long of a hike in just one hour… But it looks like you and your family were having a lot of fun together, and the scenery is just beautiful, especially with the fall colors.

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    1. Hi Chelsea. There is a difference between exercise and enjoying the trail. I have seen many locals running this trail and more power to them. Our hikes are all about give and take. We give it our best, but we love to take our time, take in the views and take photos. For a grey day, it was far from dull. Thanks for your thoughts. Allan

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    1. Thanks John. I am not saying the the hot chocolate was not fortified. Ha Ha. We love to hike/walk and when we are in the mountains, we are in our happy place. Thanks for reading. Allan

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  5. Nice to see everyone together again. And I always love your group photos – not just posed – but rather scattered here and there – Love it

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  8. Happy December! 🙂 What a lovely walk, Allan – the views are something else and so are the beautiful fall colours. Loved all the family photos – looks like you made heaps of amazing memories by exploring the Canadian wilderness. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day 🙂 We’ve just been notified of the very first case of the Omicron variant in Ireland – who knows what the future is going to bring now or when this pandemic is going to end! Aiva xx

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    1. Happy December Aiva. Yes, it was like old times to be together with the family again. Also good to see my sons spending time together. Sorry to hear about Omicron in Ireland. We have one in Alberta as well. I expect there will be a fair bit of caution being exercised before we know what we have to worry about. Stay well and thanks for reading. Allan

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. Getting all 6 of us together is so rare, we need to get photographic evidence of the event. It was K’s idea to put each of us beside a tree, hence the family tree photos. The good thing about Jasper is the slow wi-fi and low cell signals make it easier to pay attention to each other and nature. Thanks for reading. Allan

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  11. Looks like a beautiful trail that was enjoyed by all. Glad you were all able to get together! It can be hard sometimes to find a time that everyone can make work to come together but it’s so important.

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    1. Hi Angie. It is a trail that never disappoints. As we all go our separate ways and get busy, we need to find a way to slow down and get together. The whole process was complicated by Covid. Thanks for reading. Hope all is well with you. Allan

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