Place · 1.5 mi away
This is the mellow lakes-and-forest outing on Maligne Lake Road. Starting from the Jacques Lake trailhead by Medicine Lake, you’ll cruise a broad forest path past Beaver Lake and on to the two Summit Lakes. Expect a mostly shaded walk with intermittent mountain glimpses and tranquil water views rather than big alpine drama.
Plan on roughly 7.7 miles total, out and back to Summit Lakes, with very little elevation gain (around 50 m/164 ft). The tread is generally easy to follow and fairly flat to the lakes, which keeps it friendly for mixed-ability groups. Do know that the corridor is wetter near the lakes—after rain or spring melt, sections can be muddy or even a bit flooded. Past Summit Lakes toward Jacques Lake, the track gets noticeably rootier and rougher, so many hikers sensibly turn around at the lakes.
Scenery is classic Jasper low country: spruce and fir forest, meadows, and calm water framed by distant peaks. Keep an eye out for wildlife—moose and elk are occasionally spotted here, and bears do roam the area—so carry bear spray and give animals lots of space if you’re lucky enough to see them.
Winter turns this into a beginner-friendly cross‑country ski when snow coverage is good (the trail is often trackset). Stick to the trail edges near the lakes and don’t ski across the ice; snow bridges can be thin. In any season, a map helps at small junctions if you’re hunting for the second Summit Lake.
Tips: wear waterproof footwear in shoulder seasons; bring a map or GPS if you plan to tag both Summit Lakes; and treat this as a serene forest-and-lakes wander, not a summit push. For bigger views with more climbing, you’ll find better payoff elsewhere in Jasper, but for a peaceful, lower‑elevation day that stays accessible longer into spring and fall, this one hits the mark.
Best time to hike: Year‑round. Summer and fall have the driest footing and colorful foliage; winter is great for XC skiing when coverage is solid. Go early or midweek for the most solitude. Always check current trail conditions and advisories before you go.
Pros
- Lower‑elevation corridor that often stays accessible in shoulder seasons
- Gentle grade and wide tread make it great for mixed‑ability groups
Cons
- Muddy and occasionally flooded sections near the lakes after rain or melt
- Mostly forested with intermittent views; lake access is more glimpses than shoreline
Parking
Park at the Jacques Lake trailhead on Maligne Lake Road, at the east end of Medicine Lake.
Caution
Carry bear spray and know how to use it; watch for muddy, flooded, and rooty sections near the lakes. In winter, do not ski across the lakes. Some junctions to the second Summit Lake can be confusing—bring a map or GPS.
