The Icefields Parkway

5th January

Today, we headed out to achieve what we didnt (or I couldnt) do last time we were in Canada - drive the Icefields Parkway. One of the epic drives, taking us to the highest accessible point available to a public vehicle.

When I had researched this drive over four years ago, the general commentary suggested a great drive, beautiful scenery, but trecherous in winter, drive at your own peril and pack food, blanket, flares and a shovel. Sounds like the sort of family winter picnic I would be looking for-yes?

I am not sure if they have performed works to the road since then, but the advice is much tamer now. It didnt mean that the old advice wasnt still sitting in the back of my brain. The onset of snow over the previous two days did perhaps contribute to my uneasy sleep last night. However when I said something to Steve, short of a road closure, there was no entertaining any other route to Jasper. 

I started out with a false sense of security, thinking the No.1 Highway was it - it was so clear, what was I worried about. Um, no. As we turned off the No.1 Highway onto the Icefields Parkway, we were met with sludge. Not too far down the road we landed at the National Park check point. To make me feel better, Steve was gracious enough to ask the Ranger what the conditions were like and if we should have any problems. Her response, " I cant say for sure, the road conditions are graded as poor. Just take your time."

Yes, the road was not great. There was partial to full coverage of snow and ice most of the drive. We did get snow intermittently, but Steve is a great driver and he did an amazing job. The road itself is pretty good and with the exception of a short part of the drive, overall I think I handled the drive pretty well, and certainly much better than mountain driving in NZ. 

Our first stop along the drive was Peyto Lake. A short walk when it is icy cold in the mountains always feels further, especially when it is uphill. At some points we really struggled with the uphill and the slip going up. We were a bit late to video the below, but that would be Joshua slipping back down the hill. At 2088m above sea level, this was the highest we would be.

Peyto Lake

What goes up must come down - for Joshua and Isabelle, this would be on your bottom.

Big Hill and Big Bend was my undoing. It is possibly the only part of the drive where you feel close to the side of a big drop. I wasnt at panic stage, but I can't say I enjoyed this up and down hill part of the drive. The hairpin was kind of weird - it just seemed a bit surpluss, although the reason may have been hidden in the snow.

Although all services were closed, we did pull in for a short walk to view the Columbian Icefields and the Athabasca Glacier (I think). This was the wildest weather on the parkway with the wind blowing directly over the glacier. In view of this, we were all very happy to view the Glacier from a distance.

It hasnt shown up in the photo very well but you could see the Glacier on the day.

 We pulled in for a little toilet stop a litte further down the road and nearly missed the below frozen water fall on the opposite side of the road.

We missed the next turn off and had to turn back to find the Sunwampta Falls. Unfortunately a lot of the actual falls was hidded by snows around the edges, but it was a first glimps of the glacial blue waters.

Out last stop and approx. 30kms from Jasper was the Athabasca Falls. The river leading up to the falls was raging and you can see clearly how the rocks form the canyons through this region.

This little guy just looked spectacular against the fresh snow. He 
had no fear and happily followed Isabelle around the car as she
tried to escape it - likely looking for food.

And of course we made it to Jasper safe and sound. Thankyou Steve. It was really a spectacular drive. It was spectacular even with the clouds covering surrounding peaks much of the drive.