From Jasper, we headed for Miette Hot Springs, a 58.8-km. (one-hour) drive away. On the eastbound side of the Yellowhead Highway 16, we stopped by a small pullout/parking area where a narrow, short walking path, running roughly 200 to 250 m. along the roadside, led us to the shoreline of a cold sulfur spring and pool area, a road trip highlight around Jasper National Park. Its crystal-clear water had a striking, vibrant green-turquoise hue caused by mineral and sulfur content from the local springs. There are no picnic benches or formal facilities here; it is strictly a quick roadside scenic stop.
Check out “Miette Hot Spring”
Located right by a limestone cliff, 1,021 m. above sea level, it features unique cold sulfur water and microbial white filaments. The cold water, roughly 7° to 9° C, actually originates from deep underground (2+ kms. down) where rocks heat it past 100° C, under heavy pressure, before it migrated upward along fault lines and mixed near the surface.
The microbial white filamentous bacterial mats, seen thriving in the sulfur-laden run-off, are bacteria such as Baggiatoa and Thiothrix which use the hydrogen sulfide in their life cycles, releasing pure yellow sulfur as waste products. The yellow is masked by the white color of the bacteria. Ancient micro-fossils (stromatoporoids/saltwater sponges) are embedded in the nearby rock cuts.
We immediately noticed a distinct rotten egg smell from trace amounts, bubbling up from the water, of hydrogen sulfide, a poisonous gas that the human nose is very sensitive to. Its concentration is very low and, therefore, not dangerous except for persons especially sensitive to the gas. Its presence tells us that this water was hot enough and under enough pressure to acquire sulphate from the sulfur-bearing minerals in the rock here.
Bighorn sheep are frequently seen here, especially during morning hours, as they get sulfur (an essential element for their hair which they shed, in large quantities, every year) from the mineral-rich spring water and salt content. Agile climbers, the cliffs above also provide the sheep with an escape terrain from predators. As we arrived in the late afternoon, we didn’t any bighorn sheep during our visit.
Cold Sulfur Springs: Highway 16, Jasper, Alberta. Coordinates: N53° 02.711’, W118° 04.950’
How to Get There: The paved pull-off is located 22.6 kms. east of Jasper, not far past the bridge over the Athabasca River. The stop is 56.1 kms. west of Hinton, 22.9 kms. past the eastern park gate.