Medicine Lake is located within Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is approximately 20 km (12 mi) southeast of the town of Jasper. Medicine Lake is approximately 7 km (4.3 mi) long and is a relatively shallow lake. Medicine Lake is a geologic anomaly, it is not actually a lake but part of the Maligne river (flowing from Maligne Lake into the river, it backs up and then suddenly disappears underground. The underground system is extensive and during the 1970s researchers used a biodegradable dye to determine the underground river’s extent. The dye showed up in many of the lakes and rivers in the area to the point where it became clear that the underground system was one of the most extensive in the world.
Maligne Lake is one one of my personal favourite lakes I ever visited and holds a special place in my heart. The lake is famous for the colour of its azure water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake. Spirit Island, although very small, holds a special kind of magic, it is much photographed and is featured in most brochures and literature promoting Canada. The lake is located 44 km (27 mi) south of the town of Jasper, and is accessible by car and shuttle buses from Jasper. Boat tours run to Spirit Island in the spring to autumn season. Maligne Lake is approximately 22.5 km (14.0 mi) long and is 97 m (318 ft) at its deepest point, in the south end of the lake. It averages 35 m (115 ft) in depth. The lake was well known to First Nations of the area, including Samson Beaver, who knew it as Chaba Imne (Beaver Lake). He drew the first map of the lake and the route to it for Mary Schäffer in 1907. Schäffer was an explorer and artist of the Rocky Mountains area who, being the first non-native to visit Chabna Imne, was accredited with the discovery; which she attached the name Maligne Lake.
