Jasper National Park and the Icefield Parkway
The Icefield Parkway (highway 93 north) runs from highway 1 at Lake Louise to highway 16 (the Yellowhead Highway) at Jasper. I consider this to be one of the most spectacular highways in Canada. As soon as you turn onto the highway you start encountering a string of lakes, rivers and mountains all the way to Saskatchewan Crossing and highway 11, the David Thompson highway. The first lake you encounter is the small but beautiful Herbert Lake, where you will find incredible reflection views of the mountains surrounding Lake Louise. Next comes Lake Hector, nestled in a deep valley to the west of the highway. Crowsnest Glacier overlooks the Bow River, flowing out of nearby Bow Lake and the source of the Bow River, Bow Glacier. You can take in the view of all three from the historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge built by Jimmy Simpson, an early mountain explorer. Crossing over the Bow Summit you start into the Mistaya River valley where eventually you will pass Lake Chephren with Mount Chephren reflected in its magnificent blue waters. Another half hour drive will bring you to the Weeping Wall, an imposing monolith that is over 2,400 feet high. When you are done admiring the incredible waterfalls on its face, drive on over the Nigel River bridge, around the Big Bend, then part way up the steep hill leading to the Athabasca Glacier stop to look back at the mountain and roadway where you just were. It is a spectacular view if the weather is cooperative.
Herbert Lake Crowfoot Glacier Crowfoot Glacier2 Chephren Lake Weeping Wall
Turning to your left from this vantage point you will find the wispy Bridalvail Falls. As you drive further north over the Big Hill and cross the border between Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, you will come to the Icefield Center and across from it the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. Take the bus tour out onto the glacier if you have the time. (Can you see the bus in the picture below?) Driving past the icefield following the Sunwapta River valley, you eventually climb uphill to a point opposite Mount Kitchener. Looking back you can look down into the Sunwapta River canon and in the background see Mount Athabasca and the road in front of the Icefield Center. Going further north, just before descending back into the river valley, you will discover the incredibly picturesque Tangle Falls. This is one of my favorite falls, it is so beautiful. As you continue toward Jasper you will pass the Sunwapta Falls turnoff. It is worth the short drive to view that falls and I usually stop to photograph it.
