Watchtower Canyon Snowshoeing, Jasper
I have succumbed to the charms of winter in Jasper. Apart from the mountain studded blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures – even in February, it’s the sheer number of adventures available within minutes of town that has me hooked. I could live here. One of the easiest is the Medicine Lake Watchtower Canyon snowshoeing adventure.
When it comes to snowshoeing, if you can walk, you can snowshoe. And for snowshoeing with world-class views, you can’t beat Jasper National Park. With a size almost twice that of Banff National Park, there’s a lot of territory to explore. I think one of the top things to do in winter in Jasper is the Watchtower Canyon snowshoeing – because it’s easy and beautiful – though without a guide it might be a little hard to find.
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Where is Medicine Lake?
Medicine Lake, about a 25 minute drive from the town of Jasper, is a popular snowshoeing destination. Accessible via the plowed Maligne Canyon Road, the area gets loads of snow. Part of the reason is a function of altitude, as it’s almost 325 m higher than the town of Jasper.
Although you can certainly snowshoe without a guide, there are times when they can add a whole lot to the experience. My Watchtower Canyon snowshoeing trip via Medicine Lake is a case in point.
Anybody can drive up Maligne Canyon Road and find the big parking lot at Medicine Lake. And it’s pretty darned easy to follow the trail onto Medicine Lake. But not many people know about Watchtower Canyon.
It’s easy to miss and judging from the tracks, no one has visited since Christian, my guide and co-owner of Canadian Skyline Adventures had last been here, about three weeks ago.
Snowshoeing Watchtower Canyon via Medicine Lake
From the parking lot, we take off through the snow-covered boulders. A pole comes in handy for checking for holes – large gaps between the boulders you want to avoid – and for balance.
After a short stretch along Medicine Lake, we head for the woods. There is some uphill snowshoeing involved but nothing too strenuous. And the mountains views framed by the trees are worth the effort.
One of the benefits of using a guide is that you learn a thing or two. The black lichen you see hanging from the trees is a major food source of the caribou. I had no idea! There’s also bright green lichen you sometimes see as a small clump. Although very pretty and eye catching, it is poison to the caribou.
Description of the Watchtower Canyon snowshoeing experience
Watchtower Canyon is the highlight of this snowshoeing trip – and it’s easy to miss unless you’re looking for it. It’s got a narrow opening bisected by a stream, located on the west side of Medicine Lake about a kilometre from the parking lot.
As you head into Watchtower Canyon, listen for the water running in the stream. Although it’s not deep, you definitely do not want to be falling in. (Bring an extra pair of socks just in case.) The pole comes in handy for probing the edges of the stream as well.
Snowshoe up Watchtower Canyon by following the stream for about a kilometre from Medicine Lake. Stop when you reach the large waterfall. The trail is obvious in most places, even though it hasn’t been used for weeks. Look for a slight depression in the snow.
After 20 minutes of gentle climbing, the canyon walls start to close and the unfolding scene is one of great beauty.
Colourful, striated rock walls and large boulders scattered helter-skelter transport you to another world. You can’t believe you’re so close to civilization. But as it turns out, we weren’t the only ones there.
The loud pecking of a three-toed woodpecker stopped us in our tracks. It took a while to find him but we did. We were also serenaded by the American dipper, a bird that loves the edges of mountain streams, even in cold Rocky Mountain winters.
Our turn-around point was at the waterfall pictured below. In summer, climbers make their way here to test their skills on some hair-raising rock faces.
Such beauty and yet so few people ever venture here. From the car, it’s only about a two kilometre hike.
The descent is speedy and in no time we’re back at Medicine Lake. As we emerge onto the lake at about noon on Sunday, we see two other people bringing the count for the day to four. I ask – where is everybody?
The weather is superb, unseasonably warm with amazing snow and dazzling blue skies. I don’t know why the place isn’t crawling with people though I do enjoy the silence.
So now you know where you can find Watchtower Canyon. All told it took us three hours at a leisurely pace to explore the area. And don’t worry about snowshoeing on Medicine Lake. In the winter, most of the water has drained – like a bathtub – so there’s only a ribbon of flowing water that you can’t miss. Avoid it.
Watchtower Canyon snowshoeing location map (approximate)
Gear I’d recommend for any snowshoe outings
Weather can be fickle and change on a dime in the mountains so it pays to be prepared, even on an easy outing like snowshoeing Watchtower Canyon.
Dress in layers. You don’t want to get so hot that you sweat. I like a merino wool base layer on top (love this company) and bottom, and a mid-layer on top. On top of all of that I usually start with the Patagonia down sweater. Then I add a wind-proof, waterproof shell.
Take mittens, perhaps with a liner so you can just use the liner if it’s a warm day. Don’t forget a warm hat and a buff or neck warmer. It’s always a good idea to throw in a few handwarmers.
As for snowshoes, there are lots of variations across three categories – trail running, trail walking and mountain snowshoes. In the mountain category you can count on spending about $200 and up. The good news is that snowshoes last a long time. Many of the MSR snowshoes for women get lots of five star ratings like these ones that are lightweight.
Further reading about things to do in winter in Alberta
- Snowshoeing to the Ink Pots in Banff National Park
- What to Do in Winter in Lake Louise
- Where to go Snowshoeing in Jasper National Park
- 6 Fun Things to Do in Hinton, Alberta in Winter
- 20+ Fantastic Things to Do in Winter in Jasper
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Beautiful photos! Do you remember what the elevation was like on this trail? Were there any strenuous uphills? Looking to do this myself this winter! 🙂
Hi Veronica,
It’s a very gentle grade to get to Watchtower Canyon. The starting elevation would be slightly lower than Maligne Lake which is at 1,670 metres.
How beautiful!!! I’ll have to check it out next time! Thank you for sharing!!
@Karen This is definitely one of the most beautiful snowshoeing trips you’ll do. Hope you make it up there.
Oh my! I am hopefully visiting Canada later this year, I would love to visit Jasper national park, these photos are simply amazing, the views and landscape looks so beautiful. I like the shots of the sky framed by a ring of trees, and the wide angle shots of the snow capped mountains – Gorgeous!
@Paul I too was blown away by how pretty the area is – and just how much there is to do close to Jasper.
I’ve always had an interest in snow shoeing but never had a chance. The only winter sport I’ve tried is downhill skiing. This place looks amazing, but I’d only go with someone who’d been there I think. You?
@Penny I think to build up your confidence it’s definitely worth going with someone who knows the lay of the land. Snowshoeing is a snap to learn; it’s just a little wider stance walking.
I am in Telluride now catching my breath on the slopes and think snowshoeing would be a great activity here too!
The photos here are amazing!!!
Cheers,
Priscilla
@Priscilla Lucky you. I have only seen Telluride in summer. I’m sure there are some first class places for snowshoeing in the area. You just have to watch that you’re not in an avalanche area.And Jasper is well worth visiting in winter.
What a spectacular landscape.
This looks like a perfect setting for snowshoeing
Thanks for sharing this magical place
@Molly It was PURE MAGIC.
Amazing photos, I would easily succumb to that kind of beauty and charm as well! We’re heading through Canada in summer this year and can’t wait! I’m assuming there obviously won’t be as much snow, but I’ve seen photos from SUmmer and they look just as magical. Though would love to witness this much snow 🙂
@Meg The canyon was totally unexpected and such a treat to discover on snowshoes.
Wait, what?! What happened to Florida? I was just warming up reading the last post LOL 🙂 My gawd you continue to mesmerize me with your photos, Leigh. You two are always on the most amazing adventures as well. That is the first I had heard about lichen and the caribou. I haven’t snowshoed in what 20 years or more? My first pair was the old antique, wooden ones that were HUGE. Then when I realized I would need a good pair for Search and Rescue I bought a nice, lightweight pair. They must be even a ton better these days! Thank you again for the wonderful visual and writing escape. Oh that photo looking up with the trees circled around you was awesome! 🙂
@Mike I’m in Florida one day and snow the next. Sorry to disorient you – just seems to be the way my schedule is working. Next – Palm Springs so perhaps some Joshua Tree National Park photos.
We have some old wooden snowshoes with leather bindings that look good on a wall. My lighter snowshoes are definitely out of date though I don’t know if they make them like they used to. There’s a lot of cheap plastic that looks like it would snap in cold weather.
Although you say it hasn’t been that cold, I admire you for stopping to take photos. If I’m out and about in snow, I’m either in perpetual motion or supping on hot chocolate to warm up.
@Matthew I was overheating in my down jacket especially in the sunshine. We did enjoy some spicy hot chocolate up the canyon.
Amazing…
@Muza-chan It was glorious.
Beautiful photos! Whenever I feel the heat here in the Philippines (it’s now 30 deg C, and very humid), I take a look at your blog and just dream of the cold 😀
@Aleah And although it’s been cold, it’s rarely been bitterly cold and in fact I have often skied and snowshoed without a hat or mitts this winter.
I’m embarrassed to say I spent a summer in Jasper and have never been to Medicine Lake. It’s incredible how there’s so much to explore in each season.
@Jody Medicine Lake is so pretty in winter – so much so that I’m at a loss to understand where everybody was.