We stayed at Lake Louise again last night at Lake Louise. This morning we packed the car, took a last look at Lake Louise and took the turnoff for Hwy 93, the Icefields Parkway. We started early again to stay ahead of the tour buses, but maybe didn't need to because the weather wasn't exactly ideal. Fortunately it did improve as the day wore on.
Crowfoot Glacier
The customary first lookout point was Crowfoot Glacier. The weather was wintery like the previous day and unfortunately didn't make for nice photos. It was interesting to see these sights with snow clouds shrouding the peaks. (photo by Julie)
Bow Lake
Right next to Crowfoot Glacier is Bow Lake. This is one of my favourite lakes in the mountains, but the weather wasn't playing by the rules this morning. The lake still had the beautiful green colour to it despite the cloudy conditions. (Photo by Julie)
Peyto Lake
We snuck up to the 'tour buses only' car park at the Peyto Lake outlook. It was still quite early and the buses wouldn't be there for at least an hour or so. I stayed in the car just in case. Wasn't a bad option in the end. The lookout is quite high up as far as the Icefields Parkway goes and it was cold with some light snow was falling. The girls were none to impressed with the cold by the time they got back, but managed to get the first few decent photos of the day. Out in the distance toward Jasper, the cloud did seem to be breaking up.
Waterfowl Lake
Waterfowl Lake didn't disappoint on this occasion. Quite often we've come to this lake and been a bit underwhelmed because when the wind picks up it's just not that exciting. This time it was dead calm and the reflection combined with a bit of snow on the peak of Mt Cephren made for a great view.
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls isn't one of the most spectacular waterfalls going around and it is quite difficult to get a nice photo of it. We stopped and had a look anyway with a different agenda. We had done some research and learned that just next to Bridal Veil Falls was another hardly visited and much more spectacular water fall. We descended from the Icefields Parkway and found a nicer view of Bridal Veil Falls from along the path to the other falls.
Panther Falls
After taking a wrong turn somewhere along the poorly marked track, we found the right track and were still wondering whether there was a waterfall at all. Then, all of a sudden, we turned the corner and there it was! Panther Falls turned out to be one of my favourite (if not the favourite) waterfalls in Canada. The early morning clouds had lifted and allowed us to see the beautiful sight in all its glory. We even saw the rainbow that I'd overheard a photographer talking about a month ago. Nobody I've spoken to amongst my friends in Canada even knew this existed. We had to go, but I could have sat and watched the waterfall for ages.
Parker Ridge
Parker Ridge is really popular with alpine skiers and hikers, depending on the season. Most of the tourist set drive straight past it. I quite like it because you're up above the tree line and the panoramic view is quite humbling.
Athabasca Glacier
If you were to walk over Parker ridge you would end up right at the foot of the Athabasca Glacier and probably the most horrible tourist trap along the Icefields Parkway. The Columbia Icefields Centre is incredibly overrun but tourists and the bus (above) tours onto the glacier are a complete rip off. It's easier to take a couple of photos and keep going. It's a shame because the view from the viewing deck is quite to scene with the right conditions. Unfortunately, not today.
Tangle Falls
Tangle Falls is always worth a stop. In bright conditions it can be quite photogenic if you can get the marauding tourists out of shot. Today wasn't quite there.
Chain Range
The weather was really odd today. One minute we were submerged in thick snow laden clouds and then the next we were in beautiful blue skies. That's just how the mountains are I guess.
Although we'd been through this valley a number of times before, we'd rarely stopped to take photos. The range to the right of shot is called the Chain Range and seems to go on for ever when your driving beside it. It's a classic example of the pushed up sandstone layers that are typical of the Rocky Mountain formations.
Sunwapta Falls
No trip along the Icefields Parkway is complete without a visit to the two waterfalls up at the northern end, Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls. They are about 20kms apart but are strangely similar. I never get tired of seeing waterfalls.
Athabasca Falls
Horseshoe Lake
Here's another little hidden gem, Horseshoe Lake. It is one of those signs that we keep seeing and saying "Let's just get to Jasper and we'll stop next time." We finally stopped and it was so worth it. It's a beautiful lake and the colour of the water is as dark green/blue as I've seen anywhere. Unfortunately the setting is nothing flash. No snow capped mountain peaks or anything remotely interesting in the background. The places where you can view this lake are right up on small cliffs at the edge of the lake so you just can't get a decent photo to show how gorgeous this little lake really is. I did try.
Maligne Canyon
We arrived in Jasper fairly early in the afternoon so we had a bite to eat and set off along Maligne Canyon Road. The initial stop was an old crowd pleaser, Maligne Canyon. I always marvel at the depth of the chasms in this canyon, along with the multiple waterfalls along the way.
Medicine Lake
We went out as far as Medicine Lake hoping to see a bear or two. It's proven to be a happy hunting ground for us, but sadly, not today. Medicine Lake always makes it worth the drive.
I've caught glimpses of these little creatures at various times while on various hikes. They're called Pikas and are about the same size as a large mouse. They're fairly closely related to the ground squirrels and, oddly, have no tails. It makes them look like a cross between a guinea pig and a mouse. They like to live amongst rocks and have a ferocious appetite for all things leafy. There was a family of these skittish little things right at the Medicine Lake viewpoint. Tick... another animal to add to my photo collection.
More from Jasper tomorrow.
