The Icefields Parkway...Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada The Icefields Parkway is considered to be one of the top ten scenic drives in the world, and rightly so. The Parkway consists of the northern section of Hwy 93 which stretches from just beyond Lake Louise all the way to Jasper, Alberta. It is built through both Banff and Jasper National Parks and was one of the "make work projects" during the 1930's the government implemented to provide jobs for men in those Depression years. Today, it is traveled each summer by a multitude of tourists; many on coach tours, some who have rented RV's, others in their cars and even some on bicycles. In fact, it is one of the most popular cycling roads in all of the Rockies and extremely challenging. Without a doubt, the scenery is the reason so many make this their destination to see stunning turquoise-colored lakes, soaring mountain peaks, remnants of the Wisconsin Ice Age in the form of icefields and glaciers.Then there is always the hope for a glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat, protected by Parks Canada and overseen by the Park Wardens. Black bears, grizzly bears, mule deer, elk, mountain goats and bighorn sheep are all species that one might see along the way. Park regulations specify that you not get out of your vehicle when animals are spotted. In fact, one must remain a minimum of 135 feet from the animal. After all, they are wild and can be unpredictable. The speed is limited so one might enjoy the scenery along the Parkway. You travel parallel to the Continental Divide, the highest point of the Rockies that divides the watersheds. Some of the lakes you see from the highway are Hector Lake, for James Hector who named many of these Rocky Mountains and was part of the Palliser Expedition from 1857-60; Bow Lake, the source of the Bow River and home to Jimmy Simpson's Num-Ti-Jah Lodge; and Peyto Lake, named for Bill Peyto, early outfitter and guide. It's considered to be the bluest lake in the Canadian Rockies and will make you gasp in awe at first sight.
 Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada |
As you travel over Bow Pass to Peyto Lake, you leave the South Saskatchewan river system and enter into the North Saskatchewan river system, both part of the Atlantic watershed. Continuing on towards the Columbia Icefields area, you pass the Weeping Wall. Water seeps over the edge of the rock in the summer leaving the rock face glistening in the light but in the winter it is an ice climbers mecca and considered to be one of the finest ice climbing walls in North America.
Coming into view of the Icefields Centre, you have entered into Jasper National Park and the Sunwapta Pass. The excitement rises as you head for your Ice Explorer ride on the Athabasca glacier, a truly unique experience. How many can say they've stood on 1000 feet of ice? By the way, that much ice would cover the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. The Ice Explorers are made specifically for the journey onto the glacier, the tire pressure being quite low so as not to impact the ice. It's just a trip one needs to make to feel the exhilaration of this natural wonder.
Mt. Snowdome, one of the mountains surrounding the Athabasca glacier is a very important geographical feature being one of only two triple continental divides in the world. Here is where water runs to three different oceans; the Pacific to the west, the Atlantic to the east, and the Arctic to the north.
Traveling up on the Snow Shuttle to get to your Ice Explorer, you pass small trees with branches growing only on one side. This is caused by the catabatic winds that blow off the glacier and freeze the one side of the tree, stunting the growth. This is called flagging. The branches look like a flag blowing in a stiff wind. These trees are also well over three hundred years old as the growing time in the mountains is only 60 - 90 days.
After your ride on the Ice Explorer, it's time for a snack in the Icefields Centre and a chance to see the outstanding exhibit by Parks Canada on the glacier and Icefield. What is the difference between a glacier and an icefield, you may ask? The icefield is a large body of ice that covers many mountains with only the peaks appearing above the ice. To be considered an icefield, it must have two or more major outlet glaciers flowing from it. There is so much to learn in the mountains whether it's about the ecoregions, the microclimates, the glaciers, the animals and why those lakes are blue, that one must really spend some quality time there to learn all these aspects. It is nature at it's finest and a sight to behold.
Traveling from the Columbia Icefields Centre towards Jasper, the history continues. Fur traders from the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Company used these rivers as their highways during the fur trade era. Exploration was not only carried on by men and their native guides but by some adventurous women. One in particular was Mary Schaefer, a lovely lady who was a writer and photographer. She carried on her husbands botany work of documenting the plants and flowers in the this region and is given credit for finding Maligne Lake and naming the mountains surrounding it. As you approach Jasper, the landscape opens into the broad Athabasca Valley and the many wonders that unfold there. One can only invite you to experience this entire UNESCO World Heritage Parks area. Prepare to be humbled and amazed. And be prepared for whatever adventure you chose and know that the mountains will always win. Enjoy yourself and as we say, "Take only photographs and memories and leave only footprints".
Happy Travels,
Willo Jones
 Ice Explorer at the Columbia Icefields, Alberta, Canada |
 Walking on 1000 feet of ice |
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