Maligne Lake
Encyclopedia
Maligne Lake is a lake in Jasper National Park
, Alberta
, Canada
. It is famed for the colour of its water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake and Spirit Island
, one of the most photographed locations in the world. The lake is located 44 km (27.3 mi) south of Jasper
town, and is accessible by motor vehicle, including shuttle buses from Jasper. Boat tours run to Spirit Island in the spring to autumn season. The 44 km Skyline Trail, Jasper's most popular, highest and above treeline, multi-day hike, begins at Maligne Lake and finishes near the town of Jasper. Other popular day hikes include the Opal Hills
and Bald Hills
loops. Winter activities include cross-country skiing.
Maligne Lake is approximately 22.5 km (14 mi) long and is 97 m (318.2 ft) at its deepest point, in the south end of the lake. It averages 35 m (114.8 ft) in depth. It sits at approximately 1670 m (5,479 ft) asl
. Easily visible from the Maligne Lake Day Lodge are Leah and Samson Peaks and Mount Paul to the east, and Mounts Charlton, Unwin, Mary Vaux and Llysfran Peak to the south and west. The Charlton, Unwin and Maligne glaciers are visible from the lake, which boasts a self sustaining population of introduced rainbow trout
and brook trout
. It is a popular spot for sport fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Parks Canada
maintains two camping sites, accessible only by canoe, at Fisherman's Bay and Coronet Creek.
Maligne Lake is fed and drained by the Maligne River
, which enters the lake on its south side, near Mount Unwin
and drains the lake to the north. Maligne Lake, as well as Maligne River
, Maligne Mountain, and Maligne Pass, takes its name from the French word for malignant or wicked. The name was used by Father Pierre-Jean De Smet
(1801–1873) to describe the turbulent river that flows from the lake (in the spring), and soon spread to the lake, canyon, pass, mountain and range. It is also possible that early French traders applied the name to the river for its treacherous confluence
with the Athabasca River
.
The lake was well known to First Nations of the area, including Samson Beaver
, who knew it as Chaba Imne (Beaver Lake). He drew the first map of the lake and the route to it for Mary Schaffer in 1907 . Schaffer was a surveyor who explored much of the Rocky Mountains area. The first European to actually see the lake was Henry McLeod, scouting routes for the CPR in 1875. When he sighted it, he was high in the mountain range and did not actually go into the lake area or identify the route to the lake. June 8, 1908, with the help of Samson Beaver's map, Schaffer, her travelling companion Mary Adams and the guides Billy Warren and Sid Unwin, set out from Lake Louise
to reach the lake known by the Stoney people as Chaba Imne (Beaver Lake). When they arrived at the lake, they explored it with the means of a raft, nicknamed the HMS Chaba. Schaffer returned in 1911 to survey the lake. She also named several of the mountains and peaks.
Maligne Lake is the location of two Alberta registered historic buildings, the Maligne Lake Chalet and accompanying guest house, washhouse, and cache, all built in 1927 by Col. Fred Brewster as a part of his "Rocky Mountain Camps". For a time, the Maligne Lake Chalet was the largest, most luxurious accommodation in Jasper National Park. The other historic building is the Boathouse, built by Donald 'Curly' Philips in 1928 to accommodate his wilderness guiding and fishing business. In the same year, he finished construction of the first Maligne Lake Tour boat, the Leah (named for Leah Samson, wife of Samson Beaver). Philips resided in his boathouse until his untimely death in an avalanche (1936, aged 52). The historic buildings are maintained by Maligne Lake Tours, a company that dates back to Brewster's and Philips' early entrepreneurial endeavours.
Curly Philips is credited with stocking Maligne Lake with rainbow trout
, packed overland in barrels. The largest rainbow trout in Alberta was subsequently caught in this lake (20 lbs, 4 oz.) by means of sportfishing. The record fish was mounted and is currently owned by Currie's Guiding and Tackle, Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Jasper National Park staff later introduced brook trout
. The third largest brook trout in the world was also sportfished from this lake and is owned by David Robson of Hinton, Alberta
, Canada.
, black bear
, mule deer
, caribou, wolves, moose
, and mountain sheep are some of the larger mammals that frequent the lake area during the summer season. Bald eagles, golden eagles and osprey
also frequent the area and live off the fish populations.
The highest peak in the area is Mount Brazeau (11,386 feet), which stands southeast of Maligne Lake at the head of the Brazeau Ice field. It is barely visible behind the towering massif of Monkhead (10,535 feet). In general, the highest mountains are at the south end of the lake and are composed of strata that are of Cambrian, Ordovician and Devonian ages-rocks that were deposited between 600 million and 350 million years ago.
Northward from the high peaks at the south end of the lake, the valley sides are different in form and composition. The east side of the valley is made of steeply dipping limestone beds of Devonian to Mississippian age that form the spectacular range of sawtooth mountains called the Colin Range, which is part of the Queen Elizabeth Ranges. On the west side of the valley, and in sharp contrast to the east side, is the Maligne Range composed of Cambrian and Precambrian quartzite and shales. These mountains owe their more subdued outline to the glaciers, which moved over them and rounded them to their present form.
The Maligne River, arising at Maligne Pass (6,800 feet), flows into the northern part of Maligne Lake. At the northern end of the lake, the river flows out of the lake in a narrow channel to Medicine Lake. There is no visible northern outlet from Medicine Lake because the Maligne River flows underground (except during flood) for 9 miles (14.5 km) before reappearing in its remarkable canyon, which is about 180 feet (54.9 m) in depth. The water flowing in the riverbed between Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon is derived from the adjacent mountainsides.
Not only is the Maligne Valley a U-shaped valley, but it is also a hanging tributary valley as a result of deepening or widening of the Athabasca Valley by glacial erosion at a faster rate than the tributary Maligne Valley. This process leaves the tributary at its junction with the main valley hanging above the main valley.
Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² . It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff National Park and west of the City of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is famed for the colour of its water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake and Spirit Island
Spirit Island
Spirit Island is a tiny island in Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. This landmark is the destination of boat trips across Maligne Lake, a view many people associate with the Canadian Rockies. Spirit Island enjoys worldwide reputation. This landmark is one of the most famous views of the...
, one of the most photographed locations in the world. The lake is located 44 km (27.3 mi) south of Jasper
Jasper, Alberta
Jasper is a specialized municipality in western Alberta, Canada. It is the commercial centre of Jasper National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies in the Athabasca River valley....
town, and is accessible by motor vehicle, including shuttle buses from Jasper. Boat tours run to Spirit Island in the spring to autumn season. The 44 km Skyline Trail, Jasper's most popular, highest and above treeline, multi-day hike, begins at Maligne Lake and finishes near the town of Jasper. Other popular day hikes include the Opal Hills
Opal Hills
Opal Hills is a range in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. There is an 8.2 km hiking trail.-External links:*...
and Bald Hills
Bald Hills
Bald Hills can refer to:*Bald Hills range in Jasper National Park, Canada*Bald Hill Range - A mountain range in Middlesex County, Connecticut*Bald Hills, Queensland, town in Australia*Bald Hills, California, former community in Humboldt County, California....
loops. Winter activities include cross-country skiing.
Maligne Lake is approximately 22.5 km (14 mi) long and is 97 m (318.2 ft) at its deepest point, in the south end of the lake. It averages 35 m (114.8 ft) in depth. It sits at approximately 1670 m (5,479 ft) asl
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
. Easily visible from the Maligne Lake Day Lodge are Leah and Samson Peaks and Mount Paul to the east, and Mounts Charlton, Unwin, Mary Vaux and Llysfran Peak to the south and west. The Charlton, Unwin and Maligne glaciers are visible from the lake, which boasts a self sustaining population of introduced rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
and brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
. It is a popular spot for sport fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
maintains two camping sites, accessible only by canoe, at Fisherman's Bay and Coronet Creek.
Maligne Lake is fed and drained by the Maligne River
Maligne River
The Maligne River is a medium-sized river in the Canadian Rockies. It runs through parts of Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. The Maligne is a major tributary of the Athabasca River. The river takes from the French word for malignant or wicked...
, which enters the lake on its south side, near Mount Unwin
Mount Unwin
Mount Unwin was named by Mary Schaffer in 1908, after Sidney Unwin. It is located in the Queen Elizabeth Range in Alberta....
and drains the lake to the north. Maligne Lake, as well as Maligne River
Maligne River
The Maligne River is a medium-sized river in the Canadian Rockies. It runs through parts of Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. The Maligne is a major tributary of the Athabasca River. The river takes from the French word for malignant or wicked...
, Maligne Mountain, and Maligne Pass, takes its name from the French word for malignant or wicked. The name was used by Father Pierre-Jean De Smet
Pierre-Jean De Smet
Pierre-Jean De Smet , also known as Pieter-Jan De Smet, was a Belgian Roman Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus , active in missionary work among the Native Americans of the Midwestern United States in the mid-19th century.His extensive travels as a missionary were said to total...
(1801–1873) to describe the turbulent river that flows from the lake (in the spring), and soon spread to the lake, canyon, pass, mountain and range. It is also possible that early French traders applied the name to the river for its treacherous confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
with the Athabasca River
Athabasca River
The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada...
.
History
Samson Beaver
Samson Beaver was the son of Job Beaver, a guide and trail setter of the late 19th and early 20th century. Both were members of the Stoney First Nation and worked in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Job Beaver's contributions to exploration of the Rockies is recorded in Job Pass, Job Creek and other...
, who knew it as Chaba Imne (Beaver Lake). He drew the first map of the lake and the route to it for Mary Schaffer in 1907 . Schaffer was a surveyor who explored much of the Rocky Mountains area. The first European to actually see the lake was Henry McLeod, scouting routes for the CPR in 1875. When he sighted it, he was high in the mountain range and did not actually go into the lake area or identify the route to the lake. June 8, 1908, with the help of Samson Beaver's map, Schaffer, her travelling companion Mary Adams and the guides Billy Warren and Sid Unwin, set out from Lake Louise
Lake Louise
-Canada:*Lake Louise , a lake in Alberta, Canada*Lake Louise, Alberta, a hamlet which takes its name from the lake**Chateau Lake Louise, hotel in Alberta, Canada, one of Canada's Grand Railway Resorts...
to reach the lake known by the Stoney people as Chaba Imne (Beaver Lake). When they arrived at the lake, they explored it with the means of a raft, nicknamed the HMS Chaba. Schaffer returned in 1911 to survey the lake. She also named several of the mountains and peaks.
Maligne Lake is the location of two Alberta registered historic buildings, the Maligne Lake Chalet and accompanying guest house, washhouse, and cache, all built in 1927 by Col. Fred Brewster as a part of his "Rocky Mountain Camps". For a time, the Maligne Lake Chalet was the largest, most luxurious accommodation in Jasper National Park. The other historic building is the Boathouse, built by Donald 'Curly' Philips in 1928 to accommodate his wilderness guiding and fishing business. In the same year, he finished construction of the first Maligne Lake Tour boat, the Leah (named for Leah Samson, wife of Samson Beaver). Philips resided in his boathouse until his untimely death in an avalanche (1936, aged 52). The historic buildings are maintained by Maligne Lake Tours, a company that dates back to Brewster's and Philips' early entrepreneurial endeavours.
Curly Philips is credited with stocking Maligne Lake with rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
, packed overland in barrels. The largest rainbow trout in Alberta was subsequently caught in this lake (20 lbs, 4 oz.) by means of sportfishing. The record fish was mounted and is currently owned by Currie's Guiding and Tackle, Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Jasper National Park staff later introduced brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
. The third largest brook trout in the world was also sportfished from this lake and is owned by David Robson of Hinton, Alberta
Hinton, Alberta
Hinton is a town in west-central Alberta, Canada.It is located in Yellowhead County, northeast of Jasper and about west of Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, at the intersection of Yellowhead and Bighorn Highway, in the Athabasca River valley.-History:...
, Canada.
Ecology
Wildlife is surprisingly abundant along this high altitude oligotrophic lake. Grizzly bearGrizzly Bear
The grizzly bear , also known as the silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear, is a subspecies of brown bear that generally lives in the uplands of western North America...
, black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, mule deer
Mule Deer
The mule deer is a deer indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer...
, caribou, wolves, moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, and mountain sheep are some of the larger mammals that frequent the lake area during the summer season. Bald eagles, golden eagles and osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
also frequent the area and live off the fish populations.
Geology
Maligne Lake is the largest lake in Jasper National Park. The valley in which the lake lies was carved and excavated by valley glaciers, and the lake has been dammed at its northern end by an end moraine deposited by the last glacier, which flowed down the valley towards the Athabasca River. The glacial deposits and landforms forming the end moraine are excellent examples of glacial deposition.The highest peak in the area is Mount Brazeau (11,386 feet), which stands southeast of Maligne Lake at the head of the Brazeau Ice field. It is barely visible behind the towering massif of Monkhead (10,535 feet). In general, the highest mountains are at the south end of the lake and are composed of strata that are of Cambrian, Ordovician and Devonian ages-rocks that were deposited between 600 million and 350 million years ago.
Northward from the high peaks at the south end of the lake, the valley sides are different in form and composition. The east side of the valley is made of steeply dipping limestone beds of Devonian to Mississippian age that form the spectacular range of sawtooth mountains called the Colin Range, which is part of the Queen Elizabeth Ranges. On the west side of the valley, and in sharp contrast to the east side, is the Maligne Range composed of Cambrian and Precambrian quartzite and shales. These mountains owe their more subdued outline to the glaciers, which moved over them and rounded them to their present form.
The Maligne River, arising at Maligne Pass (6,800 feet), flows into the northern part of Maligne Lake. At the northern end of the lake, the river flows out of the lake in a narrow channel to Medicine Lake. There is no visible northern outlet from Medicine Lake because the Maligne River flows underground (except during flood) for 9 miles (14.5 km) before reappearing in its remarkable canyon, which is about 180 feet (54.9 m) in depth. The water flowing in the riverbed between Medicine Lake and Maligne Canyon is derived from the adjacent mountainsides.
Not only is the Maligne Valley a U-shaped valley, but it is also a hanging tributary valley as a result of deepening or widening of the Athabasca Valley by glacial erosion at a faster rate than the tributary Maligne Valley. This process leaves the tributary at its junction with the main valley hanging above the main valley.