Icefield Parkway

From Lake Louise we turn north on Canada Hwy 93 or as this section is more commonly known - the Icefield Parkway. It's one of the most spectacular drives we've ever been on despite the sketchy weather at first. As a word to the wise should you make this same drive, the National Parks booklet you get as you pay your park entrance fee titled "Mountain Guide" is somewhat impressionistic as to the exact locations of various sites along the way. It's our guess a graphic artist did the maps and layouts with only minimal copy editing. Consequently, view those maps as a general guide only.

Bicyclists, RVers, bikers, and motorists all drive the parkway

Yet another bear warning, but no bears yet

No matter where you look, the scenery is stunning. Since it's late afternoon and we are getting tired, we stop to camp at Waterfowl Lakes. Unfortunately, we only see one small duck on the lake, but it must be a stopover for migrating flocks of ducks and geese. After getting settled we hike the trails around camp to check it out.

Misty mountains on the early part of drive

Foot bridge over Saskatchewan River

Fisherman angling for a fresh trout dinner

Wildflowers are in bloom and I can't resist taking a few snaps of them, some of which I know their names and others not.

???

Columbine

Indian Paintbrush

Mule's Ears ?

On our circuit around camp, we wonder about some of the sites we come across.

Wow - that's a BIG rock. How did it get here?

Opps - maybe those bear warnings are right

Waterfowl Lake (upper)

The next day we keep our fingers crossed for a break in the weather for better viewing of the mountains and glaciers.

Morning mists on the mountains

High waterfall

Sun breaks through the clouds to reveal a glacier

Peter and I set our cameras on panoramic scan and start taking shots of the wonderful vistas.

Glacier at Bow Lake

Glacier and icefield at Saskatchewan Crossing

Athabasca Glacier

Close up of Athabasca Glacier

Ack! I hate rickity narrow bridges over rushing water

Hikers on Athabasca Glacier

Next time we're here we'll take the tour bus up the hill to the area you can walk on the glacier, but for now it's north to Alaska time.

Closer to Jasper

Athabasca Falls

Hey! Look there's a bear!

The Icefield Parkway ends at the town of Jasper, "Aspen of the North", where we park, have lunch and walk around a bit.

Jasper town boundry

Town Square

Horse and carriage tours through town

Jasper looks like a fun place to spend more time - next summer.

Main street of Jasper across from train station