Day 14 - Miette Hot Springs

Torrential rain during the night was sufficient to clear the flies and bugs that had embedded themselves on the front of the car.
Our objective for the day ws to visit Miette Hot Springs. On the way there we see more gophers and a black bear. The rain also returns so by the time we reach the springs it is continuous. This does not prevent our enjoyment of taking the plunge in the hot pool. The water that comes out of the mountain is 54 degrees and is cooled to 40 degrees for the pools. Most of the rain and snow that falls on the slopes of a mountain ends up in rivers and streams. Some of it, however, filters down through the cracks and pores in the mountain rock, pulled by gravity to a depth of three kilometres below the surface. It is this water which later returns to the surface in the hot springs.
Why is it warm?
As it seeps into the ground, the water becomes hotter and hotter — heated by radioactive decay in the earth's core. When the water boils, pressure forces it upward, just like the water in a coffee percolator. The speed at which the water rises, and the degree to which it mixes with cold ground water, causes the temperature to fluctuate.
So to wallow in the pools of such warm water whilst the rain/sleet pours out of the clouds is quite something. There is a couple who have an umbrella! The surrounding mountains gradually disappear in cloud. We later notice that the mountains have become whiter and a passing hiker confirms snow higher up. Indeed as we return to Jasper there is a sign of snow falling on the car. However, the rain had not detracted from such a wonderful experience that none of us will forget.
After a session inthe hotel pool we return to the main street in Jasper for dinner, the rain now cleared. We immediately notice that the tops of the surrounding mountains are covered by fresh snow, there is an immense change of freshness compared to the previous evening when it was stifingly warm.
After dinner we head for an evening drive to Patricia Lake. On the way we see more caribou, quite a number in fact.
In view of the cold we don't spend too much time there, but note that it was here in World War 2 that, on the request of Winston Churchill, steps were taken to create an ice aircraft carrier to protect the North Atlantic fleet. The project worked but did not get of the ground as it was too expensive and the prototype was sunk here at Patricia Lake.