With Joanna Elizabeth, on our last night in Jasper, we chose to go out of the town to visit a wonderful geological feature in the Jasper National Park. The Maligne Canyon is a slot canyon, at times one hundred and sixty feet deep. Part of what is known geologically as the Pallister Formation, it is primarily made of two types of limestone, which makes it susceptible to erosion (it is very soluble in water).
The headwaters of the Maligne River commences at Medicine Lake from where it runs above ground for about fifteen kilometres but as a 'losing river', that is, it is constantly losing water as it seeps through the porous riverbed. Eventually, it disappears from above ground to become a subterranean river, subsequently reappearing at the head of the canyon, exiting from underground caves.
The canyon is a wonderful natural feature that clearly demonstrates the power of water over time. There are numerous features written in to the walls of the canyon where the torrid waters have braided the walls, swirling stone and gravel to reduce the limestone cliffs to dust. There are numerous waterfalls along its length and numerous caves in it lower reached that can be seen in the colder winter months when the river freezes over and you can go down and walk on the frozen water.
Six bridges down the canyon, forming an attractive circular walk. We only had time for a couple as we were booked in to the restaurant that sits just above the canyon (Wilderness Kitchen) and where we enjoyed a nice meal with live music for a young local woman. A nice end to our time in Jaspar.
The headwaters of the Maligne River commences at Medicine Lake from where it runs above ground for about fifteen kilometres but as a 'losing river', that is, it is constantly losing water as it seeps through the porous riverbed. Eventually, it disappears from above ground to become a subterranean river, subsequently reappearing at the head of the canyon, exiting from underground caves.
The canyon is a wonderful natural feature that clearly demonstrates the power of water over time. There are numerous features written in to the walls of the canyon where the torrid waters have braided the walls, swirling stone and gravel to reduce the limestone cliffs to dust. There are numerous waterfalls along its length and numerous caves in it lower reached that can be seen in the colder winter months when the river freezes over and you can go down and walk on the frozen water.
Six bridges down the canyon, forming an attractive circular walk. We only had time for a couple as we were booked in to the restaurant that sits just above the canyon (Wilderness Kitchen) and where we enjoyed a nice meal with live music for a young local woman. A nice end to our time in Jaspar.