Jasper-Hinton Section enjoys first tracks to Jacques Lake Cabin
Editor’s Note: The Jacques Lake Cabin is open! Here, Marilyn Campbell describes the first trip to the ACC’s newest Jasper hut with members of the Jasper-Hinton Section.
We’ve received a lot of interest in the cabin for its first season as an ACC facility, but we still have space for those keen to explore this historic corner of Jasper, particularly for those you can get away mid-week. Enjoy!
In December of 2019, following an agreement between the ACC and Parks Canada (and a rapid renovation), the Jacques Lake Cabin in Jasper National Park opened its doors to the public. Under the agreement, Parks retains ownership of its patrol cabin and the ACC is responsible for management, maintenance and bookings during the winter months. This is the story of the first booking and the first overnights.
Jasper-Hinton Section recon
The ACC’s Jasper–Hinton Section were fortunate enough to receive the first reservation, a reconnaissance trip of sorts, to check that everything was working and all would be comfortable for subsequent visitors. Five of us left the cars at the Medicine Lake parking lot and headed out into Jasper’s backcountry winter wonderland on a sunny, warm, blue sky day! A recent fresh snowfall had covered everything in a blanket of white; what a day for a ski in the Rockies! We had a 12 km ski in front of us that included time for a lunch break and many photo opportunities. At one point we were treated to watching two moose bulls lying leisurely on the shore of the first Summit Lake.
The ski across Second Summit Lake. Photo Wayne Campbell
Telephone line Insulators found in succession along the trail beyond Summit Lakes. Photo Wayne Campbell
Remnants of the forestry phone line
Having two history buffs in the group, there was always time to stop and take photos of what had been in the early days of this trail. At one point, we found old telephone insulators of different vintages, still nailed to the trees and with the occasional wire still attached. Maintaining telephone lines was one of the many responsibilities of the wardens in the day (probably pre-1950). The insulators and wire remnants along the trail were likely part of the old “forestry phone line” as it was known - a single line to a central switchboard in the town of Jasper. For some, this would have been a life line, the only communication to the outside world, and so it was important that it be checked and maintained. It was called the “forestry” line as it was strung across trees. The connection would be reminiscent of the party lines I grew up with on the prairies where the operator and neighbours could listen in on any call. Some saw this as an invasion of privacy and others a social tool to connect to on a lonely evening.
Being the first group in to the cabin this winter, we had some trail breaking to do with the fresh snow that had fallen just before our trip. We encountered some dead fall on the trail, which presented challenges but for the most part the trail was good. We could not have had better conditions for our trip in to Jacques Lake. At one point, the leader decided heading down to the lake was the best option so we deserted the summer trail and finished our trip on the lake rather than through the campground and over the bridge. (note: there have been some reports of skiers encountering water, slush or “overflow” while skiing on the lakes in the time since this report. Be prepared for wet feet if skiing on lakes. –Ed.). The ski to the cabin was easy from that point forward. We all anticipated our arrival at the cabin, enjoying the food we had carried in our packs and relaxing after a wonderful day of skiing.
Section Members reach Jacques Lake and take a few minutes to enjoy the grandeur of the Queen Elizabeth Range. The range of mountains was named in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as Canadian Sovereign at her young age of 25. The stunning surroundings lit up by the full moon later that day would fill me with joy. None of us let the experience pass without reflection on our privilege to be in this place.
Section members: Tim Shain, Marilyn and Wayne Campbell and Christian Weik. Photo Wayne Campbell
Arrival
What a welcome sight it was to see the cabin sitting on the edge of the lake awaiting our arrival! I found myself wondering how many other weary travellers had been happy to see the cabin after their journey. It would be our cozy home for two nights! Such a rustic structure looks at home here in the picturesque mountain setting.
Jacques Lake Cabin. Photo Marilyn Campbell
Historical significance
For some of us, there will always be a curiosity about the history of a place and mountain cabins are special for the life histories recorded in the hearts of the people who worked and lived in them. Wardens raised families in these cabins, their wives spending many independent days in them as their partners were away on patrol.
The cabin was constructed in 1951 by Harvey Crate and used as an administrative cabin for the Rocky District Headquarters. It was one of the “outposts” constructed to be used by boundary patrols of the Warden Service to monitor poaching and visitor activities. The structures were connected to historic travel routes and to the intersection of important trails through the park. Both the cabin and tack shed are designated “Recognized.” as of 1997/11/19. (Taken from Heritage Character Statement FHBRO Number 96-099)
What does this designation mean? Federally owned buildings over 40 years old are reviewed by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, managed by Parks Canada, and assessed for their historical, architectural and environmental significance. Buildings that meet heritage criteria are designated as Classified or Recognized Federal Heritage Buildings. This designation offers protection of the character and heritage value of the buildings and will affect how they may be used or disposed of.
Jacques Lake Warden Cabin (above) and Tack Shed (on the right) both reflect the design favoured by National Parks in the west in the early to mid-20th century (Heritage Character Statement 96-099)
Tack Shed
Day two
Christian and Tim would leave us Sunday morning after serving up a hearty breakfast. We bade them farewell and hoped their journey out would be safe and uneventful. We were joined later in the day by Marie-Josee Girard and Keith Campbell, section members from Hinton, who brought in more food and their good company. On their way in they had passed the guys, who were having a good ski out.
More History
The trail east of Jacques Lake is impassable due to trail damage and fallen trees due to a large forest fire in 2003, but it’s possible to picture where it begins. An old sign just east of the horse corral, indicates the historic South Boundary trail to the old town of Mountain Park.
Mountain Park was a mining town at the east end of the historic Coal Branch line of the Canadian National Railway. Once a booming mining town of 1,500 people outside the eastern boundary of Jasper National Park, it closed in 1950 and is now a ghost town. There is nothing left there now other than the town cemetery. Realizing that the trail once connected it to Jacques Lake, one realizes how long the South Boundary Trail is and how rugged the countryside is that it weaves through.
I wanted to put my skis on this historic track and although my ski was short, I was able to visualize the history there and I was glad to see the sign still hanging as a piece of the past for travellers to appreciate.
Thoughts on the future
All too soon our time at the cabin came to an end and it was time to ski out. We hope that many visitors enjoy their time at the Jacques Lake Cabin. May their journeys be safe, their experiences rich and all leave only memories and no physical trace so that the privilege of using these facilities remain. May we honour the history of this special backcountry destination and show it the respect it deserves!
Executive Members of Jasper–Hinton Section, Wayne Campbell and Claire Levesque open the door to visitors for the first time at the newly acquired Jacques Lake Cabin. Photo Marilyn Campbell
Cheers to the first reservation at Jacques Lake Cabin for the Winter Season of 2019/2020 under winter management by The Alpine Club of Canada. Photo by Claire Levesque
Section members arrive at Jacques Lake Cabin and take a few minutes to enjoy the splendour of the area, highlighted on a sunny clear day. Photo by Claire Levesque
My ski tracks on a short section of the historic South Boundary trail to Mountain Park. Photo by Marilyn Campbell
Book the Jacques Lake Cabin
The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. Family-friendly huts in alpine meadows, backcountry powder paradises, remote clmibers’ refuges and everything in between.
Browse our huts or call our reservations line at 403-678-3200 ext 0 between 8:30am and 8:30pm MT - we’d love to talk to you!