Icefields Parkway, Alberta

Martin can’t believe that he has lived in BC on and off since 1994, and never traveled the Icefields Parkway – probably one of the most scenic drives in the world. He had been to Lake Louise and Jasper (towns at the top and bottom of the Parkway) but has never done the 230km (160 miles) Icefields bit between them until now. For me, this will be my second time exploring this beautiful and interesting place.


A wet, soggy start was a sign of things to come for the next few weeks. When the sun finally came out we screeched to a halt and draped a thankfully, quiet picnic area with our tarps, groundsheets and tent. And Bow Lake was a great scenic spot for lunch too!

After that the clouds came and went, and we passed many beautiful mountains and glaciers, lakes and rivers stopping off to do small hikes here and there along the Parkway. At the beautiful aquamarine Peyto Lake we just managed to get out alive from a bus load of Japanese tourists that engulfed us at the viewing platform. We found a little solitude on a small hike away from the busloads, and actually had a better view of the stunning lake. We also saw our first snowflakes of the trip here!

On to Saskatchewan Crossing with views of the Saskatchewan River which comes from the Saskatchewan glacier in the icefields. This eventually feeds Lake Winnipeg – a looooong way away! Mistaya Canyon was pretty cool with its turbulent waters down below and long-ago eroded potholes in the walls and rocks.

The Icefields Parkway passes within viewing distance of seven icefields which are monstrous-sized upland glaciers, and about 25 smaller glaciers. The massive Athabasca glacier was the view we had from our great, but cold, campsite that night. *Mush