Rocky Mountaineer Magazine RM Magazine 2018 | Page 22

The upper Jasper SkyTram station features a BBQ deck, cafe, gift shop and wrap-around boardwalk Whistlers summit JASPER NATIONAL PARK Duration 1.5 hours return total Distance 2.4 km (1.5 mi) get off to a flying start with the Jasper SkyTram, which takes you to the upper tram station’s scenic boardwalk, 2,263 m (7,430 ft) above sea level. From there, follow the rocky Summit Trail to the very top. The air is thin up here, so take breaks at viewpoints along the way. at the summit, 360-degree views of downtown Jasper, countless lakes and rivers, and six spectacular mountain ranges await. There’s even a sundial that points out and names each peak, putting you at the top of your souvenir-snap game. Pinnacles Viewpoint PINNACLES PROVINCIAL PARK Duration 30 minutes return total Distance 2 km (1.3 mi) Ancient hoodoos rise above the canopy in Pinnacles Provincial Park 22 Rocky Mountaineer Magazine 2018 Peek into the past at Pinnacles Provincial Park: it’s home to hoodoos, which are pillars of volcanic ash and basalt formed by 12 million years of natural erosion. a 10-minute drive from Quesnel takes you across the Fraser River and onto Pinnacles Road; keep an eye out for the park entrance, as surrounding foliage sometimes camouflages the sign. Step past the yellow gate and watch for bears or cougars on the flat trail to Pinnacles Viewpoint, where you’ll be met with bird’s-eye views of Quesnel and Baker Creek, and close-ups of the towering hoodoos. Out here, geology really does rock.