Pyramid Lake is one of the few spots within town Jasper that is easily accessible within walking distance and is very dark with very little light pollution for Milky Way viewing. Check the map at end of this article for exact location.
The First Annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival took place on Oct 21-24, 2011. Weather permitting, star gazing is accessible within town of Jasper by Pyramid Lake. I’ve been there on September 23 (one lunar month prior), so I know it’s possible to see milky way there. :D Jasper National Park is designated as the World’s Largest Dark Sky Preserve.
September 23, 2011: Star gazing on the Pyramid Lake Island Bridge in Jasper National Park. The Big Dipper can be seen.
Exif Data
Camera: Canon 60D and EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Lens: Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens for Canon
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV Multi Coated Glass Filter
Exposure: 30sec
Aperture: f2.8
Focal Length: 11mm
ISO Speed: 3200
Flash: off, did not fire
September 23, 2011: Starlight at Jasper Pyramid Lake Monument. Pyramid Mountain can be seen in the background.
To take the above shot, I used Coleman LED Quad Lantern to light up the foreground (ie, my face and the Pyramid Lake monument). Pyramid Mountain in the background is lighted up by starlight.
Exif Data
Camera: Canon 60D and EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Lens: Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens for Canon
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV Multi Coated Glass Filter
Exposure: 30sec
Aperture: f2.8
Focal Length: 12mm
ISO Speed: 3200
Flash: off, did not fire
September 23, 2011: Milky Way can be seen directly above my head. So amazing!!!
This shot was taken in front of Coast Pyramid Lake Resort. No additional light was required. The whole place was illuminated by the lights from the hotel. I was quite impressed by the amount of details captured with the Canon 60D camera.
Exif Data
Camera: Canon 60D and EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Lens: Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens for Canon
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV Multi Coated Glass Filter
Exposure: 10sec
Aperture: f2.8
Focal Length: 11mm
ISO Speed: 5000
Flash: off, did not fire
Other star gazing locations within Jasper National Park include: Milky Way at Pyramid Lake/Island/Mountain, Milky Way in front of Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls Milky Way, and of course Milky Way Over Columbia Icefield.
Map
Exact location of Pyramid Lake is indicated by Green Arrow.
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