Photo of the Athabasca Glacier by CPF Photography
It’s a kilometre walk from the parking lot to the trail proper, through gently sloping forest and across a meadow which must look spectacular when covered in summer flowers. We opt to do the short loop hike, and turn right at the signpost to approach Fifth Lake first. The trail undulates with a few small sharp inclines and descents, and eventually we can see water glinting through the trees on both sides. The forest opens up, and on our right is the absolutely magnificent Fifth Lake. The green water is so clear and there is a small jetty which just calls out for this Brummie to remove her shoes and dip her toes in the freezing cold water.
(It’s at this point, Mr Fletche on one corner of the jetty and me on the other that a lovely lady asks if she can take a picture for us “because we look so great”. The resulting photograph may be my favourite ever. In fact, it was such a great composition that another couple wanted a picture taken in the same spot! Finally, I’ve cracked this Instagram pic lark π)
Possibly my favourite picture of us since our wedding day!
Athabasca Falls
Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park
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Waking up to a Winter Wonderland at The Glacier View Inn.
Our tickets are scanned and we’re finally on our shuttle bus. Only we have to then get off our shuttle bus as it has no traction and the wheels are turning without us going anywhere. We have a little more luck with Bus No 2, and we’re soon making our way up to the transfer station where we alight one of the 22 strong fleet of $1.3 million all-terrain Ice Explorer buses. Our driver Paige is funny and engaging as well as being informative and it’s a fun drive out onto the glacier.
It’s an amazing experience walking out onto the glacier, almost 1000ft thick. Unsurprisingly, it’s a bit chilly out on the ice, and the wind is strong. We wander around, taking pictures and just gazing at the piercing blue ice field all around us. After a short while on the glacier, we are called back into the relative warmth of the Ice Explorer before being transferred back onto a shuttle bus. Now, our understanding is that, having purchased both the Glacier Adventure and the Skywalk, we will be taken from the glacier straight to the Skywalk. However we are deposited back at the Discovery Centre with no instruction on what to do next. We – along with a bunch of confused Orientals – then have to queue once more inside for the next shuttle bus.
Eventually we get to the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-bottomed platform suspended 918 feet above the Sunwapta Valley. There are stunning views of the valley, forest and waterfalls below, and the mountains all around us. We’re glad we were patient and completed our adventure by visiting. We get the next shuttle bus back to the Discovery Centre and it’s time for us to get back on the road.
Just chilling. Literally
Keeping watch
Having fun on the glacier
You wait ages for an Ice Explorer then three turn up at once…
A colourful scene on the Skywalk
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There’s little doubt that the stretch of Icefields Parkway between Athabasca Glacier and Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful drives we have ever had the pleasure of taking. Mountain after mountain fills the horizon, each seemingly bigger than the next. We leave Highway 93 for the Bow Summit viewpoint. It should be a relatively easy and short hike to the overlook; however the recent snowfall has hampered the trek somewhat. We manage to circumnavigate the first slippery slope, but have no choice but to tackle the second. It is akin to climbing a pane of glass in socks. I sit down before I fall down. This is the second time this trip I’ve been left on my backside. I eventually manage to crawl on all-fours to a slightly more stable piece of ground before attempting to stand once more. Back on two legs, we continue our walk. And the result? Views over the breathtakingly beautiful Peyto Lake. This maybe the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Worth the humiliation of crawling up on my hands and knees.
To get to Bow Summit lookout we had to hike through this snow forest. Sometimes on all fours…
Peyto Lake. Yes, it’s snowing.
Admiring the view. From here you can’t see the snow still clinging to my backside
Beautiful Bow Lake. Image by CPF Photography
Vermillion Lakes
Squeee your Canada trip posts just keep getting better. The scenery up there is amaaazing isn’t it!
I really love the photo of you two by the lake. You should get it printed and framed.
Thanks Josy! Everyoneβs getting a copy of that pic for Christmas π
Wow, that skywalk looks amazing! π
Beautiful, we were there in July and I LOVED it, would definitely return.
What lovely pictures π this is definitely on my bucket list!
So beautiful. It’s a winter wonderland. We just got an email from Lake Louis that skiing was open for the year. Snow comes early in Canada. This looks like a beautiful way to see the country and a nice time to go when there is snow but no skiing yet.
It’s crazy to think we were hiking there just a month ago although there was snow on the ground at a higher level. Was a great time to visit! Thanks for popping by π
Iβm very jealous of your Canada trip. That Skywalk looks amazing!
Loved reading this. It’s years since I’ve done the Icefields Parkway roadtrip – maybe next year!
It’s such a stunning drive, wish we’d had the time to drive it again!
Yeesh I’m so jealous. The photos are amazing! And I can feel the joy and satisfaction spilling between your words. I came really close to detouring into Canada to see what everybody has been talking about recently but time ran out on me. Now I really regret it.
And I can see why you love the image of you and your husband so much!
Thanks Gabe, we’re not usually on the same side of the lens! Canada’s not going anywhere, you should definitely factor it into future plans!
What an awesome trip and truly beautiful photos! π
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! It was a wonderful trip π
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[…] The short hike to Bow Summit from the parking lot was memorable for a number of reasons. Not least because I spent a significant portion of the ascent on my thankfully well padded ass. […]