From Calgary to Kananaskis, to Aga Khan Garden, to Medicine Lake, to Maligne Lake – an exciting 1,200 km trip in 24 hours!
“The Qur’an refers very often to nature as a reflection of Allah’s power of creation, and it says, look at the mountains, look at the rivers, look at the trees, look at the flowers, as evidence of Allah’s love for the people whom He has created. Today, I look at this environment, and I say to YOU, I believe Allah is smiling upon you, and may His smile always be upon you.” – Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, Rushan, Badakhshan, May 27, 1995.
On July 4, 2025, I embarked on a drive through the breathtaking Kananaskis. The day was filled with a stopover at the serene Mount Lorette Pond, a stopover at the Kananaskis Village for a lookout from Viewpoint 1 on the Village Rim Trail and a delicious takeout sandwich, which I enjoyed at the picturesque Opal day-use area by the Kananaskis River, and a scenic drive to the Highwood Pass — the highest paved road in Canada. I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed at not spotting any Grizzlies or Pikas in the Rock Glacier. The possibility of encountering bears and moose at the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes was alluring. Still, the heavy traffic and congestion at the junction of the Kananaskis Trail and the road leading to the Lakes due to construction work was a deterrent, and I decided to return to Calgary.
KANANASKIS
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
_____________
THE AGA KHAN GARDEN
As I drove to Calgary, I couldn’t help but feel a personal connection to the Pathways event unfolding at the Aga Khan Garden in Parkland County near Edmonton on the same day. I had been aware of the Pathways program, a series of events that celebrate the richness of diverse traditions and artistic expression through the universal language of the arts. It will be hosted over four parts at different cultural gardens within the University of Alberta Botanic Garden. And that’s where I decided to drive to, 15 minutes short of reaching my Calgary home! I knew I would be late for a Qawali presentation by the famed singer Karim Gillani.
I was particularly motivated to make the 3-hour drive at the last moment as a fond remembrance of my beloved 49th Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, who passed away on February 4, 2025. The Aga Khan Garden was built by him as a gift to the University of Alberta. Were he alive, I, along with millions of Ismailis worldwide, would be celebrating the 68th anniversary of his spiritual leadership or Imamat Day, on July 11, 2025. Instead, the community will witness history as his successor, the 50th Ismaili Imam, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, meets with his community in France and the countries under its jurisdiction during his visit to Paris from July 11 to 13. Ismailis worldwide fervently look forward to his first community visit and are eagerly awaiting announcements of his visits to meet with his spiritual children in other parts of the world.
Story continues below
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
The beautiful flowers in the garden, the evening views of the Talar Building and the pond, the colourful nature of the unique clothing, artwork and paintings, and the jewelry set up by vendors as part of the Pathways event all enchanted and brought me joy. I was delighted to acquire a two-set heart artwork for my daughter, who had celebrated her birthday a couple of days earlier.
Story continues below
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
_____________
THE AGA KHAN GARDEN LEADS TO MALIGNE LAKE
Instead of sleeping overnight in Edmonton, I thought of driving back to Calgary, as late as it was. But wait! As I sat in the car, I had another idea enter my mind! How about going to Jasper instead, about the same distance to Calgary? The thought of seeing the iconic Maligne Lake was stimulating as I had only visited it for a few short minutes with my daughter, Nurin, in 2007.
I drove to Hinton, where I arrived around 1:30 AM. I was lucky, as the receptionist at the motel I had booked was leaving for the night. I had been assured by Booking, one of my top accommodation choices, that the desk was open 24 hours a day. After an invigorating visit to the Aga Khan Garden, with a few hours of sleep in Hinton, I was fully energized for my drive to Maligne Lake.
On the way, while on Maligne Lake Road, I had a beautiful and unforgettable stop at Medicine Lake, where I watched newly born bald eagles in their nest, with the mother watching over them from another tree. What a thrilling moment. Then I went to Maligne Lake, where I walked for about an hour along the scenic Mary Schäffer Loop.
Story continues below
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
At The View restaurant, which boasts a patio offering a stunning and breathtaking view of Maligne Lake and the surrounding mountains, the Colombian-Italian waiter, Paulo, recommended the Lakeside Burger, claiming it was the best in the Jasper area. I fully agree. A gelato at the next-door Waffle House was a treat, with its very crispy cone made by a lady in Banff.
It was time for a 5-hour drive to Calgary. On Maligne Lake Road, before taking the exit for Jasper, I witnessed the devastation caused to Maligne Canyon from last year’s Jasper wildfires. This highly popular attraction is now closed to the public. Visitors, before the wildfire, could walk through the canyon on a series of layered bridges. In winter, visitors walked through the frozen waters of the Canyon.
I did not stop at Jasper, which I had visited the previous fall after the wildfire had occurred. I drove along the beautiful Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise before continuing on Highways 1A and 1 to Calgary. In total, my odometer recorded 1,200 km for this spectacular drive, which took me through the Kananaskis, the Aga Khan Garden, Maligne Lake, the Icefields Parkway, the Bow Valley Parkway, and Hwy 1, all in 24 hours.
After that truly inspirational time, my thoughts for the remainder of the week are focused on Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan’s visit to France, a joyful event for Ismailis worldwide, as they eagerly await the visit of their new Imam to their respective countries in the coming months. In particular, the visit to the Aga Khan Garden brought me immense joy and happiness, as it reminded me of the incredible legacy of generosity left behind by Mawlana Shah Karim, an extraordinary Imam whose vision improved the lives of his community and those among whom they live.
Mawlana Shah Karim’s actions, through impactful socio-economic projects, are a true reflection of his noble name, Karim, which means generous. We are forever grateful for his kindness and of course, for bestowing upon us the continuity of Imamat, through the new Hazar Imam (Imam-of-the-Time), His Highness Prince Rahim, as promised by the Qur’anic verse, “God chose Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of Imran above all beings, the seed of one another; God hears, and knows” (3:33-34)
This Qur’anic verse was a precursor to the Prophet Muhammad’s — may peace be upon him and his progeny — proclamation at Ghadir-Khumm, which established the institution of the Imamat through Heredity via Hazrat Mawlana Ali and his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima az-Zahra, Khātun-i-Jannat. Mawlana Hazar Imam is the 50th Imam in this succession.
Date posted: July 6, 2025.
____________
Simergphotos welcomes your feedback. Please scroll down for the COMMENT box. If you encounter problems, email the comments to mmerchant@simerg.com. We want to reassure you that we respect your privacy and that your published comment will never reveal your email address. For recent and older posts, please visit our HOME PAGE. Please also follow Malik Merchant @Facebook, @X and @LinkedIn.
Excellent Narrative!