The Icefields Parkway stretches from Lake Louise to Jasper, and is only easily accessible in Summer. Winter requires appropriate vehicles and triple the drive time. I made this a 2 day trip with overnight in Jasper before returning south to Banff, fingers crossed weather gave me the best experience. Unfortunately,  the wildfires smoke blanket combined with heavy overcast diminished the vista’s. but, it wasn’t hard to imagine what a blue sky would have changed to the scenery.
So my day drive up the Icefields Parkway included stops at Bow Lake, Bow Summitt for views over Peyto Lake, a stop at the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre before a walk at Athabasca Falls and into Jasper.
The next days drive south to Banff included stops at Sunwapta Falls and the Columbia Icefields to walk to the tongue of the Glacier, before motoring into Banff.
Peyton Lake
Bow Lake & Peyto Lake provided more unique hues of Blue, both with a short walk or longer trails available subject to your desire and the weather. Parking, as always, was a hit or miss, too small an allocation for the number of visitors.
The Columbia Icefields Centre is the launch site for a Walk on the Glacier, and the Glacier Skywalk, along with a rest stop with cafe’s and amenities. I decided to make time the following day for a free walk to the Glacier tongue.
Athabasca Falls
Heading north, my next legs stretch was the Athabasca Falls and that frankly was a delightful surprise. An easy walk from the carpark, that featured a number of viewpoints to these powering falls.
Jasper was RV central, easy to walk around, with the main street dedicated to souveniers, so happy to enjoy the night & rest before returning south.
Sunwapta Falls
First stop south was at Sunwapta Falls. Athabasca Falls was such an enjoyable surprise, I thought it best to try more, and Sunwapta Falls did not disappoint. Another powering falls, but also an interesting path along the falls canyon to the exit.
On arriving at the Columbia Icefields, I ignored the discovery centre and instead turned right into a small carpark at the foot of a rise to the tongue of the Glacier. This too was a rewarding free experience, truly remarkable standing at the foot of such a huge glacier.
With other stops along the route at roadside falls like Tangle Creek, and lookouts, it was worth the drive and time, pity about the weather, but hey, that’s travel for you.
With roadviews driving the Icefields Parkway, obviously more interesting left & right 🙂
