The Spectacular Columbia Icefields and Glacier Adventure

Columbia Icefield, Alberta (28 degrees, cold, snow, blue skies)

"Live for the moments which take your breath away"

Columbia Icefield

The drive from Jasper to the Columbia Icefield is a WOW experience. We decided to boondock at the campground right at the icefield visitor center and spend a couple of days checking out this amazing place. It's the best $15 we have ever spent for a campsite. There is a kiosk on the far side of the parking lot where you register and then you just pick marked site in the parking lot. 

Campground.

We arrived in the morning to snag a good spot. We wanted to wake up in the morning looking at the icefield. Our tank was full of water since there is none available there. After finding a great spot we walked over the the Visitor Center to find out where to check in for our tours. 

Looking down from the Visitor Center to the icefield

We had signed up in advance for the Columbia Glacier Icefield Tour and Skywalk. The Visitor Center is a busy place with a movie theater, hotel, and two restaurants. We were very excited and our icefield tour would take us right onto the Athabasca Glacier. 

After checking in we rode out by a motorcoach to an area where the massive Ice Explorers were located. This behemoth of a bus with huge tires took us down a 38 percent grade road out to the glacier. Our driver was very funny, competent and gave us lots of facts about the glacier and our Ice Explorer. We had a lot of fun after walking on a ice which was as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall. We even gathered some ice in our water bottles to make glacier martinis with our friends at a later date. It was very cold and windy but lots of fun. We spent about 45 minutes on the glacier.

Our Ice Explorers...check out the huge tires

Ice Explorer on the 38 percent grade

Skywalk built into the cliff

Afterwards we were taken by another bus out to the Skywalk. This beautifully constructed walkway is built along the cliff of a mountain. It's a marvel in construction built of rock, metal, and glass We were given headsets to listen to the history of the area, glaciers and how the walkway was constructed. Towards the end of the walkway the floor becomes glass. It was unnerving and exciting all at the same time. I had to cling to the rail for awhile until I adjusted. We were almost 1000 feet above the ground.

View of icefields in the distance

Glass floor looking down 1000 feet below

Visitors standing on the glass skywalk viewing the glacier in the distance

Taking both tours was a great idea. Thanks so much Becky for suggesting this excursion. It was incredible!

TIP:  Be sure to sign up well in advance for these tours. There are a lot of tour companies which bring in  tourists from surrounding areas

Best of all this was our view when we woke up in the morning. Priceless!

Campground Review: 5 stars, basically you are parking on a large asphalt parking lot. There are no hookups, no WiFi, no cell phone signal (there is free WiFi in the Visitor Center), no water or dump,  it's difficult to find a flat spot for a big rig so arrive early. So, why the 5 star you ask???  It's the view!

The Call of the Mountains - Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park, Alberta, (low 28 degrees, high 42 degrees, snow showers)

"going to the mountains

is going home"

John Muir

To say Jasper National Park is spectacular is an understatement. It's vast, beautiful and at this time of year has more wildlife then we have seen all summer in Alaska.

Our campground was a great location for seeing the park and accessing the downtown Jasper area. The town is very vibrant with lots of restaurants and a great visitor center. We had only brief glimpses of blue sky, but enjoyed the park nonetheless. Our first day was spent exploring the Maligne Lake area. It was a very pretty drive and we saw lots of elk, moose and big horn sheep. It mating season for the elk and the males were very busy protecting their females. We heard lots of bugling which is certainly a very eerie sound.

Found some Park Canada Red Chairs at Lake Edith

This moose hung out at the edge of the road and caused quite a traffic jam

Heads of Big Horn Sheep were everywhere

Maligne Lake

There are some nice boat rides on Maligne Lake, however, the weather did not really cooperate.  The boat does offer some great views on the lake but it was really too cold and rainy to justify the cost.  Nest time!!!

TIP:  Advance reservations for the boat trip during the busy summer season is a must.

We did take a short hike out to Moose Lake. The icy snow made it a little treacherous but it was  nice to be out enjoying the quiet forest.

Moose Lake

The next day we hiked Maligne Canyon. This is one of the best hikes we have taken and that is saying a lot. The trail goes along a steep canyon where you cross up to six bridges. We took our time and went from bridge one to four and back. One of the interpretive signs says the river acts like natural sandpaper and has slowly over time wore through the rock to create this magnificent canyon. The views are very dramatic and some overlooks take your breath away. 

Another relaxing place to check out is the Jasper Hot Spring. It's a long, windy drive up to the springs and well worth the trip. It's more like a two big swimming pools filled with hot water and one cold pool for dipping...if you dare.  It was cold and surrounded by some snow. This is perfect weather is our opinion for a hot spring. We got such a kick out of seeing the life guards dressed in warm winter clothes and hiking boots holding life preservers.  It was relaxing and oh so enjoyable for only $7/person. 

Our next stop are the Columbia Ice Fields.  Be sure to dress warmly!