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Coronet Creek |
Why did we venture here? Well, after five to six beautiful lucky years, we were bound to have one crappie weather canoe / camp trip. Coronet Creek, still a magical place even if you can't see the mountain tops. Just be prepared and make the most out of it. The Cast: |
August
29-30-31st., 1999 by: Eddie Wong |
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Access: Maligne
Lake Road South of Jasper approximately 54 kilometers.
I was a little hesitant in
writing about this trip, because I wanted to keep it secret from the
mass visitors to the area. Realizing that the best expeditions cannot
be hidden away. This trip consist of watercrafts (canoes & sea kayaks)
of human power. The length of Maligne Lake is approximately 22 kilometres
long and Coronet Creek campsite is at the south end of the Lake. Needless
to say it is a long paddle down, if you can afford to rent the electric
motorized version (no gas powered motors allowed) at various places
in Jasper, you can relax and enjoy the scenic ride. 
There is something about
packing all your gear and being self sufficient for a couple of days
in the wilderness. This particular trip started with a thunder and lighting
show minutes before we arrived at the put-in. The weather seemed to
clear up, so off we went on our annual trip down the lake. We chose
not to stop and camp at Fishermans Bay (approximately 14 km south) this
time around, so the trip only needed three days and two nights, mainly
due to work reasons. Only two campsites are on this lake and only eight
tent pads per site, so reservations are a must. Pick up permits at the
Parks information building in Jasper. 
Lets get back to the
weather as this played an important role on this outing. Giving thanks
to Mother Nature at first, great tail wind that pushed us along to the
narrows and then the dreadful headwind that followed. The sky was overcast
and the the waves were starting to rise, and the tour boats that roam
up and down the lake added to the wakes. Still in good spirits, some of
us were worried about the waves, so we took refuge at several spots along
the lake. There is some day use areas with fire pits if you had to stay
out of the water. Realizing the weather was not going to let up we ventured
onwards to Coronet Creek. 
The kayakers got there
first and we canoeists soon followed. Six and a half-hours since we put-in,
we finally arrived, a shout of joy and a shout for BEER! After quenching
our thirst, tents and tarps went up fairly quickly as a storm was approaching.
We paddled across the bay to pick up driftwood and deadfalls for the campfire.
It was sad to see that earlier campers had left cans in the pits. A beautiful
place and quite a bit of work to get here and still not enough respect
for the area. OH well, I digress.
Nothing like a well-earned
meal by the fire with the tarps over our heads and the rain pouring down,
yet we still managed to stay dry. Morning came quick, the discussion about
whose tents stayed dry and whose snoring was louder was the topic. The
rain did not let up, but that did not stop Mike, Dan and Al from a hike
to Coronet Glacier. The rest of us stayed by the camp under the tarp and
wished the next day would bring good weather. No such luck. The warden
came by in the morning to confirm the bad news, headwind and snow all
the way back home! 
