Hike the Cavell Meadows Trail

Jasper National Park is an outdoor wonderland filled with vibrant glacial waters and an abundance of wildlife. My favorite hike to experience the beauty of this park is the Cavell Meadows trail.  At approximately 5.3 miles, the hike takes between 3-4 hours round trip so it's the perfect way to start your day.

Besides the final push to the summit, the hardest part about the Cavell Meadows trail is finding parking.  Compared to the Columbia Icefields or Maligne Lake parking lots, this one is tiny.  That being said, most people who visit here are doing the Path of the Glaciers hike, which leaves from the same trailhead and is only a mile roundtrip.  If you wait for a space, odds are good it won't be long.

From the parking lot, you'll head up the trail about a quarter mile up before the path splits.  The Path of the Glaciers hike continues straight ahead, but you'll want to take the left turn that winds up through the boulder field.  The path is well marked and you'll continue past the boulder field and through a forest before rising above the tree line.

At this point, you'll see a sign outlining the upper loop.  To the left is a steep direct route while the right offers a gradual ascent via switchbacks.  I'd recommend the gradual path, as about halfway up there's a lookout that provides views of Angel Glacier hanging off Mount Edith Cavell.  From here, it's an uphill push through an alpine meadow to the summit.  It gets windy at the top, so pack accordingly.

One last thing I wanted to mention - this area underwent a three year restoration project so please stay on the trail when hiking.  This hike is home to an abundance of wildflowers that bloom from mid-July to mid-August.  We all need to do our part so that future generations can enjoy this beautiful trail.