The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
enjoyed Horseshoe Lake
Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
August 1, 2015 and August 26, 2009

One of the hidden gems in Alberta's Jasper National Park is stunning Horseshoe Lake. This small lake is hemmed by towering cliffs along much of its shoreline and displays sparkling clear water in varying shades of blue. Shaped like a lopsided 'U', the reason for the name is obvious, as is the reason for its great attraction. With Mount Hardesty looming in the background, the lake is both easy to get to and offers some of the best of Jasper's beautiful scenery. Located next to the Icefields Parkway, a small sign next to a pull-off along the road announces Horseshoe Lake.

Sign: Welcome to Horseshoe Lake Lee Duquette on the trail in 2015

It did not take the two RV Gypsies long to get to the cliffs because the trail was not very long, but it was a touch tricky in a few spots.
Lee Duquette on the trail in 2015 a small cave and walking sticks

Located about 20 miles south of the town of Jasper, Horseshoe Lake has a reputation as the best local swimming hole. The water is extremely cold even during hot summers, because the water comes from glacial melt. And unfortunately the lake has attracted thrill-seekers who jump off the cliffs into the water. The park service is trying to discourage this dangerous practice after several accidental injuries, some fatal. Mirroring the unusual boulder formations above water, there are many rocks below the surface, making any diving or jumping dangerous.

people jumping at Horseshoe Lake 2015 people jumping at Horseshoe Lake 2015

Below: People jumping in the two photos above and the one photo below.
people jumping at Horseshoe Lake 2015
 

Horseshoe Lake - under the cliffs of Mt. Hardesty - August 26, 2009
sign - Horseshoe Lake
There were several local guys jumping from both sides of the cliff seen in the photo below. They were so high up, that a LOUD thud could be heard when they hit the water.
Horseshoe Lake
Lee on the trail at Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake
Lee at Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake
Below: Lee Duquette checked out one of the areas from which some local guys were just jumping from. Karen Duquette videotaped the guy jumping from these cliffs. You can get a sense of the height by looking at the size of the people below, and the water is quite a bit below those people too. The Videos can be seen on this website by choosing the TOC button above, and then choosing Canada Movies.
Lee on the cliffs of Horseshoe Lake
Lee looking down the cliff at Horseshoe Lake
Below - The view down into the water - this is where the local guys jumped from.
where the guys jump from
a rock the guys jump from
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake

Below: In 2009, The two RV Gypsies walked further on up the trail. Nobody else was around other than the local guys jumping. Lee Duquette just did not want to walk it further in 2015, maybe because the trail was crowded.

Lee Duquette in the woods
Lee Duquette in the woods
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake

Below - The sign on the trash can at the parking lot of Horseshoe Lake in 2009. There were a lot of people and cars in the parking lot in 2015, so the two RV Gypsies are not sure if this sign was still there in 2015.
bear sign on trashcna
look below

This is not a linear website, so visitors always have options of where to navigate next. Below are three of those options.

please continue on to travel adventures of the two RV Gypsies Visit sites in the order they happened and continue on to Honeymoon Lake.

OR

go back to the British Columbia menu RETURN to the Alberta main menu

OR

please continue on to travel adventures of the two RV Gypsies Go to the main Canada menu for British Columbia, Saskatchewan, The Yukon Territory, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, PEI, Nova Scotia, Campobello Island, and New Brunswick.