The Whistlers Mountain in the Clouds

Jasper Tramway upper terminal in the clouds

These 2 photos are part of a series of photos I took on a cloudy day while atop The Whistlers Mountain near the Jasper Tramway upper terminal.

At one point, as I hiked up towards the summit, I looked down and the Jasper Tramway upper terminal was covered with clouds.

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Summer in Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is the furthermost north park of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The park was first created in 1907 to help provide a natural ecosystem where plants and animals could continue to thrive. As a result of careful planning and cooperation of the many visitors the wildlife does indeed thrive here. While the park is open year round most visitors find the best time to visit is in the summer.
Athabasca Falls (Photo by raindog)
Summer in Jasper National Park is wonderful. There are spectacular views along with abundant wildlife. There are over 1,000 kilometers of hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty. There are hikes that are perfect for every member of the family. Start by getting information at the Information Centre. You can get maps of the various hiking trails and find out the weather for the day.

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Treeline Restaurant Review: Jasper National Park’s Only Restaurant in the Sky

Jasper Park Treeline Restaurant DiningThe Treeline Restaurant provides a good, quick meal and a great view. The Treeline Restaurant is the only place to eat at the upper terminal of the Jasper Tramway. And being the only restaurant on the side of Whistler’s Mountain, or any Jasper National Park mountain for that matter, makes it one-of-a-kind.

The Treeline Restaurant sits 7,500 feet above sea level on the side of Whistler’s Mountain. The Jasper Tramway gondola is the easiest way to get to the restaurant. The only other way up the mountain is to hike, a two or three hour endeavor.
Jasper Tramway
The Treeline Restaurant’s large windows give patrons a great view of Jasper National Park and the surrounding Canadian Rockies. Looking down, you can see even Jasper townsite.

But enough about the view. Restaurants are for dining, right? The Treeline Restaurant is designed for the food needs of travelers. Instead of being a fancy restaurant, Treeline Restaurant is a self-service, cafeteria-style restaurant. The food is regionally themed but nothing fancy.

In the morning, the breakfast buffet serves eggs and bacon and basic breakfast foods. Remember though, the Jasper Tramway doesn’t open till 9AM during peak months and later during the off-season.

Jasper RockiesDuring lunch and dinner, sandwiches and burgers are the norm, but foods like caribou and salmon are known to come out during the more formal dinner-time.

While reviews by culinary connoisseurs will be less than favorable, the Treeline Restaurant scored points with weary travelers, especially mountain hikers, for being a place to get a good meal fast – as long as a table is free. Gear your expectations to this being a seasonally operated tourist restaurant with a great location.

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Photo: On Top of Whistler's Mountain

This is one of the rewarding alpine scenes after taking the Jasper Tramway up to the terminal on Whistler’s Mountain and then hiking a short distance to the summit.

See the lichen clinging to white rocks in the foreground and surrounding Canadian Rocky mountains in the background.

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The Jasper Tramway Experience - Gondola Ride, Hiking and Scenery

Riding the Tramway and hiking up the summit is an experience essential to any visit to Jasper National Park.

The “Jasper Tramway Experience” is a 3,000 foot ride followed by a steep walk from the tramway drop-off terminal to the summit of the Whistlers Mountain. Along the way, it is clear why the Jasper tourism bureau’s slogan for the park is “Wonderful By Nature”. This is Canada travel at its best. As you ride the gonola and then hike to the top of the summit, the panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies are spectacular.
Riding Jasper Tramway Up the Mountain View of the Valley and Yellowhead Highway

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Jasper Tramway Tips: When to go, what to bring, what not to do

To avoid the crowds, morning and late afternoon are supposed to be the best times. I had luck in the middle of the afternoon in July – supposedly the height of tourist season.

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