What you need to know

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James Holmes
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If you would like to have a fire, please bring your own fire wood. This is a charming campsite on a small island along a beautiful Grade I stretch of the, accessible by paddling 3.

1 BACKCOUNTRY GUIDE ATHABASCA ISLAND SEMI-PRIMITIVE 3.5 km paddle from 12 mile bridge OR 22.3 km paddle from Old Fort Point 4 km paddle to takeout at Highway and Jasper In summary Fires are permitted at Athabasca Island. There is no firewood at the campsite. If you would like to have a fire, please bring your own fire wood. This is a charming campsite on a small island along a beautiful Grade I stretch of the, accessible by paddling 3.5 km from the nearest road access. The details What you need to know During periods of low water, the island is attached to the mainland, and one can explore the dry channels surrounding the island. Wildlife, including deer, elk, moose, coyotes, wolves and bears, are often seen in the area. The island is sandy and boast a wide beach, especially during low water. Paddlers can launch from Old Fort Point near Jasper, the launch just before Sixth Bridge on the Maligne Road, or the Highway bridge (12-Mile bridge) across the north of Jasper. From the latter bridge, it is 3.5 km to the campground. One km below the campground, the river opens up into Jasper. Paddlers can take out along Jasper where Highway parallels the lake. The water of the is very cold, even in mid-summer. The water temperature is generally below 10 degrees C. While this section of the river is graded as Grade 1, there are some tight curves with potential sweepers and strainers. Moreover, Jasper is often very shallow with many sandbars. It can be difficult to navigate across, as the main channel zig-zags across the lake, and is often difficult to see, especially from a canoe. Many canoeists have capsized on the lake when they ran aground on sandbars. Paddlers should have intermediate paddling skills and be familiar with river travel. This trip is not recommended for novice paddlers.

2 a River Snake Indian River Campground Access Athabasca Island The campground is currently marked with a large brown camping sign. The best place to land is on the beach at the downstream end of the island. Drag your canoes or kayaks well off the beach, in case the river rises during the night. Rocky River Campground information CAMPGROUND DESCRIPTION # OF SITES FIRE PIT PICNIC TABLE UTM Athabasca Island A beautiful campsite on a small island in the. 2 yes yes 11U SAFETY Snake Indian River Jasper Talbot Rocky River Hinton Edmonton Miette Road You are responsible for your own safety. Be prepared for extreme weather and mountainous terrain. Cell phone coverage is unavailable in most areas. TRAIL REPORT Before leaving, check the Jasper National Park trail report for up-to-date conditions at TRAIL INFORMATION pc.gc.ca/jasperbackcountry RESERVATIONS pc.gc.ca/bookjasperbackcountry EMERGENCY call or Mount Robson Kamloops Jasper Townsite Maligne Road Medicine 93A Icefields Parkway 93 Maps, GPS data and elevations are provided for reference purposes only. Maps are not meant for navigation. Parks Canada Agency (PCA) makes no guarantees, representations or warranties respecting these data, either expressed or implied. PCA assumes no responsibility for damages or other liabilities due to the accuracy, availability, use or misuse of the information herein provided. Athabasca Island Backcountry Guide 2

3 Pyramid Maligne River Twelve Mile Bridge Edith Morro Peak Annette Snaring River Jasper Townsite Lac Beauvert Miette River Old Fort Point Snaring Road Whistlers Wapiti Icefields Parkway Legend Highway Road Loose surface road Parking Information centre Telephone RV camping Camping Boat launch Park Gate A 93 Maligne River Athabasca Island Backcountry Guide 3

4 Talbot Miette Road Jasper Snake Indian River Athabasca Island Rocky River Athabasca Island Backcountry Guide 4

LEAVE NO TRACE Photo: R. Gruys FOOD STORAGE To reduce your campsite s attractiveness to bears, all food, garbage, toiletries must be stored in the provided food lockers.

When there are no facilities nearby, select a spot away from trails, campsites and at least 70 m from water sources. Dig a hole 12 to cm into the dark-coloured, biologically active soil layer.

GARBAGE Please Pack it in and pack it out! You are responsible for everything you take into the backcountry and this includes garbage. Do not dispose of garbage in pit toilets it may attract animals.

5 LEAVE NO TRACE Photo: R. Gruys FOOD STORAGE To reduce your campsite s attractiveness to bears, all food, garbage, toiletries must be stored in the provided food lockers. Please clean your locker and take everything with you before you leave. Lockers are not cleaned by staff. HUMAN WASTE Use the pit toilet provided. When there are no facilities nearby, select a spot away from trails, campsites and at least 70 m from water sources. Dig a hole 12 to cm into the dark-coloured, biologically active soil layer. Loosely fill the hole with soil afterward. Use as little toilet paper as possible. Privy There is a pit toilet at this campground. WATER Boil or treat all drinking water. GARBAGE Please Pack it in and pack it out! You are responsible for everything you take into the backcountry and this includes garbage. Do not dispose of garbage in pit toilets it may attract animals. WASHING To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 70 m away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Strain out those last bits of food waste and pack them out. Disperse strained water on land. CAMPING Do not camp on the beach, as river levels can suddenly rise during the night, flooding the entire beach. CAMPFIRES If fires are allowed, use the metal fireboxes provided, keep your fire small and use only deadfall. Tend to your fire at all times and extinguish it completely before you move on. Gas stoves are cleaner and more efficient for cooking. We recommend you use one. SHORTCUTTING TRAILS Shortcutting between trail switchbacks damages both the soil and plant life. This not only ruins the look of an area, but makes it susceptible to further damage by erosion. COLLECTING NATURAL OR CULTURAL OBJECTS Rocks, fossils, horns, antlers, wildflowers, nests and all other natural or historical objects in a national park are protected by law. Leave them as you found them for others to enjoy. Athabasca Island Backcountry Guide 5

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE Have you got it? This is a list of suggested equipment, for Jasper's backcountry trails. Visit www.parkscanada.gc.

6 EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE Have you got it? This is a list of suggested equipment, for Jasper's backcountry trails. Visit for a comprehensive list. Mountain weather is unpredictable; be prepared for winter conditions at any time of the year. Snow may persist in high mountain regions into the summer and avalanche danger may occur in any season. This equipment list does not account for the special knowledge and equipment required to travel in avalanche terrain. CLOTHING SHELTER OTHER ESSENTIALS OPTIONAL Long underwear Tent with waterproof fly Wilderness pass Binoculars Wool sweater, down vest or fleece jacket Raingear - pants and jacket, gaiters Hat and gloves / mittens Boots with ankle support and good soles Sandals or runners for fording streams and at camp Food should include enough for an extra day Water filter, purification tablets or extra fuel for boiling your water Waterproof bag to store food at campgrounds Bear spray and the knowledge to use it Topographic map Compass Waterproof matches and/or lighter Insect repellent Flashlight and extra batteries First Aid kit Signaling device (whistle or mirror) Altimeter Field guide(s) GPS SPOT Device or satellite phone Toilet paper Rope - approx. 8m A throw bag works well facebook.com/jaspernp twitter.com/jaspernp #jaspernp CARRY A TOPO MAP NTS Jasper 83D/, Snaring River 83E/1 Miette 83F/4 National Geographic Jasper North For more information on low impact travel in the backcountry contact: leavenotrace.ca Backcountry camping permits A backcountry camping permit is mandatory for all overnight trips and can be obtained online at reservations.pc.gc.ca or by calling Travelling frequently? Frequent backcountry travellers can purchase an annual backcountry pass, valid in all the mountain national parks for a full year after purchase date. If you have an annual backcountry pass, you also need a backcountry camping permit for each trip. Annual backcountry pass holders pay only the reservation fee for their backcountry camping permit. Printed April 20 Également offert en français 6

SATURDAY NIGHT LAKE LOOP

BACKCOUNTRY GUIDE SATURDAY NIGHT LAKE LOOP This trail winds through the hills west of Jasper and visits several small lakes. It can be hiked as a long day or an easy overnight trip. Photo: R Gruys SEMI-PRIMITIVE