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Canadian Rockies by Rocky Mountaineer. Part 2

Canada, Travel

Day 2

Canadian Rockies by Rocky Mountaineer: After an enchanting day 1 spent at fabled Whistler village, 7.30 the following morning you are once again on the ‘Rocky Mountaineer. As the train begins its next leg of 500 Km towards Quesnel (Pronounced – kwaNELL) you sit back and relax.

As you savoir a well laid Breakfast, Rocky-Mountaineer winds its way gradually through the pristine wilderness of the Rockies. It slowly passes from near the town of Pemberton, home to the milky-jade beautiful ‘Green Lake’. Suspension of ‘Rock-Flower’ (mixture of bits of rocks and minerals) created by the grinding of Glacier over period of time has blessed this Lake with this amazing color. Pemberton is also the place known for growing some supersized Potatoes.

Lake 10

Seton Lake

Later between sips of red wine with snacks, another astounding bluish-green Seton Lake, passes by. This freshwater fjord too has this hue as a result of glacier melt/rock-flower just like Green Lake.

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Anderson Lake

Incidentally, the lakes here are massive in size. Similarly, Anderson Lake, nestled between ubiquitous coastal mountains of British Columbia too is remarkably huge. It is 22kms long and is covering the area of 28.5 Sq. Km.

Interesting to note that Anderson and the 23kms long Seton Lake was once a single unit. As per information, it split some 15 thousand years ago, due to a massive landslide following volcanic activity.

Lake 6 A - edited
Lake 12

Birkenhead River

As time goes by, you keep you DSLR ready to take pictures of compelling scenery go by. Next comes ‘Birkenhead River’. This place supposedly is angler’s haven. Here ‘fall fly fishing’ is the fabled hobby for fish-catchers who assemble here each winter to hook a fish.

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Lake 7

The train subsequently emerges from within a tunnel after coiling along the shoreline of Seton Lake. There then on your right is an impressive Hydro Station.

Dam 2
Bridge

Soon the beautiful turquoise color Seton River is before you. This river flows from near the town of ‘Lillooet’, a place where Gold rush happened during the end of 18th century. Seton River later merges with the larger ‘Fraser River’ before they both finally join the ocean.

Lake 12
Lake 9

The Rocky Mountaineer now crosses the spectacular Cariboo Plateau where Kelly Lake sits calmly. The landscape now has changed dramatically. The forest cover has suddenly got heavier, dominated by copious lodge-pole pine and white spruce trees.

Later few Canadian Geese floating nonchalantly in slew of ponds make a delightful picture. The train then traverses the stunning Watson Lake followed by 22.5 Kms long – ‘Lahash Lake’.

Ducks 2
Lake 1

Finally crossing ‘Williams Lake’ situated in the Cariboo region, the train halts for the second night’s break at the tiny and unassuming town of ‘Quesnel’(Pronounced ‘Kwa-NELL).

Quesnel

Immediately on Check-in, the hotel provides you with a complementary taxi service to help reach downtown Quesnel.

It is a Sunday and the evening looks beautiful. Moreover, the full Moon has added to the luster. Soon the Cab is ready to take you to the main street of the town. Unfortunately you are welcomed by an eerie silence as everything is shut except a small casino. You stroll on the deserted lanes for a while and return almost immediately.

Moon
Quesnel

Quesnel to Jasper

Finally, on the third day, you commence the last leg of this exciting tour with the ‘Rocky Mountaineer’. Beginning from ‘Quesnel’ you shall travel a distance of 534 kms to reach ‘Jasper’. Jasper incidentally is also known as the gentle giant town of the Rockies.

As you traverse, you watch the alpine on the way that are indescribably beautiful. A mile long ‘Cottonwood River Bridge’ followed by ‘Abhau Creek’ makes you romance with the nature till you reach the region’s main transport hub ‘Prince George’.

Situated on the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, the crisscrossing of rail tracks at Prince George signifies the importance of this place.

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It is from here that the train enters an exciting deep wide valley. The valley is reputed to be Rocky Mountain’s remarkable trench where you see the Rocky Mountains to your east and the Cariboo Mountain Range on your west.

Just then the stewardess serves you with a catalogue titled ‘Take Your Memories Home’. In here you see alluring pictures of items ranging from Jewelry to T Shirts to beautiful Bags. Any passenger, who is willing, can purchase the items at displayed prices.

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Mount Robson

Just then the there is anin-house announcement. The magnificent Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies (12,972 ft) is on this way says the voice. The excitement is instantly ratcheted.

So as the train gets closer to the spectacular Mount Robson, the driver reduces the speed of the train. Consequently, you can see, right in front of you, the awe inspiring alp with multi layered rocks making up to its peak. Sadly, you cannot see the peak as it has got obscured due to plume (long clouds) surrounding it.

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Mount Robson 8

Even as the train crawls slowly, you hear another announcement made. It says that the Mount shall continue to be visible for the next 10kms. Everyone is happy.

So you see cameras, mobiles in the hands of every passenger attempting to capture images of this stunning phenomenon. The incessant sound of clicks is testimony to the degree of which the anticipation was present in every passenger.

Then once again, from a distinct angle you get a glimpse of the peak of Mount Robson. Without losing a moment, you pick your camera and there goes, click, click & click.

Mount Robson 4

With a little over one hour to reach Jasper, the train now passes by the Moose shaped blue-green crystal clear ‘Moose Lake’.

Then crisscrossing along the periphery of the ‘Jasper National Park’ you watch colorful pine trees pass by. With grey to rust to various shades of greens running up to the mountains, these pine trees look stupendous

Lake 2
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You cannot but remain riveted to romanticize the play of nature here. Before I forget, the rusty color of some of these trees you see is the result of infection. The ‘mountain pine beetle’, a naturally occurring insect of the ecosystem here is the cause behind this infection.

Jasper

As Rocky Mountaineer arrives at Jasper Station, it marks the end of this final leg of the journey. Outside the staff of the Rocky Mountaineer is lined up holding colorful flags to greet the departing guests.

The feelings of great Albert Einstein then suddenly come to your mind that said: “I Love to Travel but Hate to Arrive”.

Albert Einstein

jasper station 1

Thanking the hospitable staff of the coach you leave armed with abiding memories that are bound to remain with you for a long time to come.

Next day after exploring Jasper, your journey with the mesmerizing wilderness of the Rockies shall continue, this time by road, to lovely ‘Lake Louise and wonderful – ‘Banff’.

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