Mount Robson Inn

Phone: 1-250-566-9899  BC & AB: 1-888-566-9899

Author Archive

Where the birds are

April 12th, 2012 by claudia

In the most recent issue of British Columbia magazine, an article on bird-watching showcases the wonderful opportunities for spotting birds here in Mount Robson Park. In an interview with Dick Cannings, one of the county’s pre-eminent birders, Dick reveals that as well as being one of the most spectacular places on the continent, Mount Robson is great for birding, as it is on an east-west/north-south border of species distribution. A walk up the Kinney Lake Road, just a few minutes away from Mountain River Lodge, can produce sightings of magnolia warbler, blackpoll warbler and Tennessee warbler species not seen in other parts of BC.

WHERE: Highway 16 runs through the middle of Mount Robson Park, offering easy access to many scenic trails, all great for birding.

WHEN: Best times to visit are from May through October.

spring has sprung

April 12th, 2012 by claudia

two baby bears at Mountain River LodgeThe snow is melting and dandelions are appearing…. Bears favorite spring food!

Bears are waking up hungry after a long winter hibernation in the high country of the Canadian Rockies. As well as spring mushrooms, dandelions are one of the first plants to grow that bears find delicious as they fill their hungry tummy’s. Beside the highways and roads in Jasper & Mount Robson Park are fields of yellow dandelions, which a foraging bear will quickly change into   green as he moves through the area and munches off the top of the flowers. It’s hard to imagine that a cow would do a better or faster job than the hungry bear!

black bear near  north thompson highway

Mount Robson Park

February 29th, 2012 by claudia

Jasper National ParkMount Robson Park is home to the largest mountain in the Canadian Rockies.
Its namesake, Mount Robson, rises majestically to 3954 metres, dwarfing its neighboring peaks. This is one of British Columbia’s oldest and largest parks, established to preserve its scenic mountains, waterfalls, lakes and rivers. It is next to Jasper National Park on the B.C./Alberta border. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1990 to preserve it for all the people of earth, it is home to many species of wildlife. Moose, black bear, grizzly bear, caribou, mule deer and mountain goat all call this area home. Over 170 species of birds have been sighted here, with the Rufous Hummingbird one of our most entertaining summer residents. As the headwaters for the Fraser River, a historic trade route, the easy access into the beautiful mountain terrain has long made this park an excellent destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Four Seasons at Mount Robson Mountain River Lodge

February 29th, 2012 by claudia

Mt. RobsonHere in the Canadian Rockies, we are fortunate to experience the beauty of the changing seasons throughout the year. Each offers its own unique experience and opportunities to enjoy them.

SPRING March 20 – June 20
The snow is melting, filling the rushing rivers and creeks. The trees are budding with delicate new growth and the sound of birds fill the air as they pass through on their annual migration up north. Some birds make their home here for the summer, and the Rufus Hummingbird is one of our area’s most entertaining resident. Bears are waking up, hungry after a long sleep, finding delicious spring mushrooms and dandelions to eat. The Berg Lake Trail is usable, the first accessible extensive back-country trail in all the Rockies. Commercial winter activities are closing, and the summer activities begin to operate again.

SUMMER June 21 – Sept 21
The season is in full bloom, an explosion of wild flowers fill the meadows and ditches. Local wildlife feasts on Mother Nature’s bounty, storing energy for the coming winter. New-born babies of all kinds can be seen; fuzzy little bears with protective mama bear, spotted fawns staying close to mother deer as they cross the highway, and baby humming birds buzz around the sugar-water feeders in swarms. The mighty Chinook salmon come back to the waters in which they were born, to complete their life cycle in a dramatic migration 1200 km upstream the Fraser River. Mount Robson Park hosts the headwaters of the powerful Fraser River, which empties into the Pacific Ocean at Vancouver. The salmon swim the length of the river, some stopping sooner than others as they recognize their birthplace. Eagles are a common sight as they feed on this rich protein source. Local tour operators are in full gear, offering visitors to the area an abundance of fun choices, something for every one of all age groups and interests. Popular activities include hiking, white water rafting, horseback riding, guided fishing expeditions, gentle river floats, and 4X4 ATV tours into the backcountry.
Click here to see summer activities.

FALL Sept 21 – Dec 20
The crisp air is filled with the aroma of autumn. The colors of the trees are changing from a verdant green to rich yellow, red and oranges. Leaves sprinkle the ground and the squirrels scamper through them as they are busy storing pine nuts for winter. Fewer people around at this time offer visitors a quieter experience, a unique opportunity to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. This is perfect hiking weather, with a long sleeved top with vest and pants acting as comfortable attire, neither to hot or cold. With no flying insects to swat at, less people around, and the fall colors, this time of year is a favorite for many.

WINTER Dec 21 – March 19
Snow-laden tree branches bow under the weight of their burden. The ground is white, as far as the eyes can see. The landscape consists of sharp contrasts; the dark green of the pine trees and the stark whiteness of crystallized snow. Many winter days feature blue skies, the mountains dramatically outlined against the azure sky. Mountain Robson gleams bright, the light reflecting off its south face. It hurts to look at it, it is so bright, and one must shield their eyes from the blinding snow glare. The days are mild, and the snow-covered landscape beacons the outdoor enthusiast. Find here some of the best snowmobiling in all of western Canada, with groomed runs to alpine snow bowls and day huts. An opportunity to spend the day mushing a team of dogs as they pull you and your sled across the snow is a childhood dream come true. Ice fishing, heli-skiing, and cross-country skiing are also popular with visitors to the Robson valley.
Click here to see winter activities.

For great packages and last minute deals, take a look at our SPECIALS.(hyperlink)
Sign up for our newsletter to receive notice of great seasonal room rate discounts. We can help you create a fun and memorable visit, one you’ll always cherish. You’ll vow to come back time and again. We are your destination in the Rocky Mountains!

Hiking in the Area

February 7th, 2012 by claudia

The Berg lake Trail is located minutes from the Mountain River Lodge, this is one of the classic Rocky Mountain trails. The trail follows the Robson river from the south face to the north face of the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies Mt. Robson. The views are spectacular and the trail ascends through some very unique terrain for the Rockies.

The trail begins in an interior temperate rain forest. Giant western red cedars tower towards the sky in this magnificent old growth forest that appears completely out of place with the rest of the Rockies. With such a massive peak nearby, prevailing air masses are lifted over Robson, condense and rain with the frequency and intensity of a coastal climate. The result is this unique plant community.

It is an easy walk through the forest to Kinney lake. Along the way avalanche paths crossing the trail are rich in blue berries that makes for good bear habitat, and berry picking. One avalanche path down the great coulour on Mt. Robson ran all the way to Kinney lake. The terrain near the lake caused the avalanche to become airborne and many of the great cedars are shattered like toothpicks ten metres above the ground. Today new growth hides most of the old scars and the frightening display of power is all but hidden. ( There is no risk of avalanche activity on the trail in summer.) Past the lake, the trail follows a broad open valley with a braided stream.

Travel is relatively easy across the valley and up a moderate switch back. It is not until passing the Whitehorn campground that the trail becomes more challenging. From here a large headwall is ascended through the valley of a thousand falls. The trail is well maintained and the views during the ascent are very impressive, especially in late June or after a rain storm. From the top of the headwall the trail follows the shoreline of Berg lake. Travel is again moderate and the magnificent view of Mt. Robson’s north face comes into view. From the Berg lake campground there are some good day hikes to explore the area further.

Jasper Alberta, Canada

February 7th, 2012 by claudia

Jasper AlbertaJasper National Park is the largest of Canada’s Rocky Mountain parks. Jasper spans 10,878 square kilometers (4200 square miles) of broad valleys, rugged mountains, glaciers, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta. There are more than 1200 kilometers (660 miles) of hiking trails (both overnight and day trips), and a number of spectacular mountain drives. Jasper joins Banff National Park to the south via the Ice fields Parkway.

The Columbia Ice field borders the parkway in the southern end of the Jasper Park. It’s the largest of the chain of ice fields along the Great Divide separating Alberta and British Columbia. This 325 square km accumulation of ice feeds eight large glaciers. Visitors are warned NOT to walk out onto the glacier. Guided tours are available. Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer and other large animals, as well as their predators make Jasper National Park one of the great protected ecosystems remaining in the Rocky Mountains. This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places in southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores, including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines.

Maligne Lake

February 7th, 2012 by claudia

Mailgn LakeMaligne Lake, the largest in Jasper National Park (22 km). It’s one of the most beautiful sights in the Rockies, a popular day-use area, and the jumping-off point for boat trips and hiking trails. Enjoy a leisurely walk from the Tea House down to the 5th Bridge following the Maligne Canyon. This is the deepest canyon (50m) in Jasper National Park. Was this, at one time, part of the most extensive underground river system in North America or has 10,000 years of water flow created the canyon? Maligne Canyon Crawl: In the winter the water filled Maligne Canyon freezes to create a unique and interesting experience for the outdoor adventurer. You can walk on the canyon bottom and venture in behind the frozen falls for a breathtaking view.

Mount Robson

February 7th, 2012 by claudia

Mt. Robson

View from the our driveway on Highway 16


Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, towers 3,954 metres over the western entrance to the Mount Robson Provincial Park. Whether seen in the winter when snow mantles all but its sheerest sides, or in summer when wispy clouds form a lacy veil silhouetting a tiara of snow at its peak, Mount Robson is one of the most impressive and beautiful sights in British Columbia. Visitors gaze in awe at its massive magnificence much as early explorers, fur traders, trappers and native people must have done a century and more ago.

Bird Watching

February 1st, 2012 by claudia

Bird WatchingBird watching has reached new heights at the Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary.
Get a bird’s eye view from the 30 metre viewing towers overlooking the expansive marsh, home to many species of migratory birds and waterfowl. Created as a protected area in 1985 by the conservation group Ducks Unlimited, is now enjoyed by enthusiastic local and bird watchers from around the world.
An interpretive trail, maintained by a local hiking and trail club, explains the many plants and animals found here, as it winds through and around the marshlands.
To get really up close and personal with the muskrats, beavers, ducks and geese, glide silently through the maze of reeds and channels in a canoe.
A knowledgeable guide will steer you through the marsh and point out hidden nests of goslings, beaver lodges built of sticks and mud, and show you a world unseen by many.

Columbia Ice fields

January 29th, 2012 by claudia

105 km S. of Jasper/125 km N. of Lake Louise. From the highway the Athabasca and Dome glaciers are visible and there is a fine view of the glacier-draped north face of 3,491 meter Mt. Athabasca. It’s the largest of the chain of ice fields along the Great Divide separating Alberta and British Columbia. This 325 square km accumulation of ice feeds eight large glaciers. Visitors are warned NOT to walk out onto the glacier. Guided tours are available

»