JASPER NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 320

summer, these open slopes and meadows are carpeted with a profusion of flowers such as
golden arnicas, bluebells, pale columbines, and red and yellow paintbrush. Higher still
are brightly colored heather, buttercups, and alpine forget-me-nots.
FAUNA
Wildlife is abundant in the park and can be seen throughout the year. During winter, many
larger mammals move to lower elevations where food is accessible. February and March
are particularly good for looking for animal tracks in the snow. By June, most of the snow
cover at lower elevations has melted, the crowds haven't arrived, and animals can be seen
feeding along the valley floor. In fall, tourists move to warmer climates, the rutting season
begins, bears go into hibernation, and a herd of elk moves into downtown Jasper for the
winter.
While the park provides ample opportunities for seeing numerous animals in their nat-
ural habitat, it also leads to human-animal encounters that are not always positive. For ex-
ample, less than 10 percent of the park is made up of well-vegetated valleys. These lower
areas are essential to the larger mammals for food and shelter but are also the most heavily
traveled by visitors. Game trails used for thousands of years are often bisected by roads,
and hundreds of animals are killed each year by speeding motorists. Please drive slowly in
the park.
Campground Critters
Several species of small mammals thrive around campgrounds, thanks to an abundance
of humans who are careless with their food. Columbian ground squirrels are bold and
will demand scraps of your lunch. Golden-mantled ground squirrels and red squirrels
are also common. The least chipmunk (often confused with the golden-mantled ground
squirrel thanks to similar stripes) can also be seen in campgrounds; they'll often scamper
across your hiking trail, then sit boldly on a rock waiting for you to pass.
Aquatic Species
Beavers are common between the town of Jasper and the park's east gate. Dawn and
dusk are the best times to watch these intriguing creatures at work. Wabasso Lake, a
2.6-kilometer (1.6-mile) hike from the Icefields Parkway, was created by beavers; their
impressive dam has completely blocked the flow of Wabasso Creek. Also common in the
park's wetlands are mink and muskrat; search out these creatures around the lakes on the
benchland north of the town of Jasper.