Opal Hills Loop

We have time for two more hikes in Jasper before we head further north to join the caravan for Alaska. The Maligne Lake area was a favorite of ours last year and there are two hikes near the lake that are often presented together - Bald Hills and the Opal Hills Loop. We decided to do one today and the other tomorrow. Somewhat arbitrarily we chose to hike the Opal Hills Loop today. Here's a brief description.

"Hiking one of the steepest trails in Jasper rewards you with an alpine flower meadow and mountain vistas." Jasper NationalPark Day Hiking Guide.  Our friend Tim Jensen  - The Best Day Hikes in the Canadian Rockies - says, "Bald Hills and Opal Hills, two great hikes starting at the west side of Maligne Lake. They are both fantastic hikes. Opal Hills shorter but steeper... At Opal Hills, you will enjoy the amazing panorama that ranks as one of the top views in Jasper National Park. Looking in the northeast direction from the trail loop, you will see the majestic peak of the Opal Hills rising high at 2810 meters. Alpine wildflowers are most abundant between the end of June and early August and the Opal Hills meadows are a great place to see them. Opal Hills is not really a long hike but it is a steep one. You must overcome 460 meters (1,518 feet) of elevation in the first 3 km hiking."

Just as we were leaving the campground this morning we saw a flash of red and spotted this woodpecker. Stunning!

After we had climbed the 1,518 feet in 1.9 miles, no pictures during that climb, we reached the meadows and the panoramic views. 

Beginning to hike down the length of the Opal Hills valley.

Petit Arctic Alpine Forget-me-not

Trail crossing a stream coming off Mt. Opal.

Queen Elizabeth range.

Frederick checking the map as we head down the valley.

Cascade coming off the Opal Hills.

Moss Campion

A field of pale yellow Paintbrush. (Indian Paintbrush - its not always red!)

Opal Hills peaks with Mt. Opal on the right.

Mountain views at the end of the valley.

Splitleaf Indian Paintbrush (one of the most beautiful varieties of Paintbrush)

At the end of the valley we headed back down the other side of the loop trail and the Maligne Range came into view.

Maligned Lake at the base of its namesake mountain range.

Not 100% sure, but this may be Northern Sweetvetch.

Subalpine Fleabane, in the aster family.

Continuing down the trail with more filtered views of Maligne Lake.

Orange Agoseris, also in the aster family.

Half-way down the trail we encountered this family of young grouse.

One of the youngsters flew up into a tree. Can you see it?

The prize wildflower of the day is this not-quite-open White Thistle; Hooker's Thistle.

The hiking pole is for scale, the plant was about 3 feet high.

A beautiful bud about to open.

Today's hike:

Length - 5.17 miles

Duration - 2 hours, 59 minutes

Elevation gain - 1,518 feet (182 floors on the Fitbit)

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