Medicine Lake is not quite all it seems. During the summer months, this relatively shallow body of water covers an area up to 9 kilometres long by 1 kilometre wide. Visit in the winter, and you may only find an expanse of mud with the occasional small pool. With no obvious exit channel, the mystery of the disappearing lake has puzzled everyone for centuries.
Biodegradable dye held the answer. In the 1970s, dye added to the lake’s water was traced to many surrounding rivers and lakes, suggesting the existence of a vast underground network of caves and channels. Medicine Lake was actually draining from the bottom, just like a bath. During the warm summer months, the flow from the melting glaciers fills the lake faster than it can empty. In the winter, it is the reverse. Medicine Lake is not a lake, but a sinking river.
Apart from this perplexing natural phenomenon, Medicine Lake and the surrounding area boast a rich and varied wildlife population. Look out for both grizzly and black bears, as well as moose, caribou and wolves, all frequently sighted here.
During the summer, the lake is home to surprising numbers of fish, including rainbow trout and brook trout. This is a hugely popular spot for fly fishing, or alternatively you can hire a boat and try your luck further out from the shore. Look out for the spectacular sight of the bald eagles and osprey that dive down to catch their dinner.
The Medicine Lake Provincial Recreation Area is perfect if you’re looking to set up camp and stay for a night or two. Sites are available both lakeside and sheltered within the wooded area. There are fire pits, and firewood is sold on site, perfect for dinner under the stars. If you’ve been lucky, this may even include your catch of fresh fish!
Medicine Lake is situated on the Icefields Parkway, 20 kilometres southeast of Jasper. Visit in the summer to see the water at its highest.
