Icefield Parkway

The icefield parkway is an iconic Canadian route.  We did it twice – we drove up from Lake Louise to Jasper and then back down again heading south for the states.   We had only intended to come down it but the other roads into Jasper were closed due to forest fires which were proving very difficult to get under control – causing 40,000 plus people to be displaced and evacuated. 

This terrible misfortune for those people afforded us the chance to see the most awesome scenery twice from both directions, marred by smoke but hey its only a view for us while some people were losing their homes so it’s a small disappointment in the scheme of things.   The road was very busy and on the way up we stopped at a picnic site about half way up and at first thought this is great we have the place to ourselves – how nice is that and then a car pulled in and then another and then a coach load of American tourists arrived –well we picnicked anyway and then went and had a look at the river I had a quick paddle but it was really freezing – straight off the glacier. We got back to the car and these two American tourist were giving it the once over,  we said hi and they started chatting about the car about how it was the first of this model they had seen we fessed up to it being a rental and that we were used to driving a 15 year old VW camper and were slightly embarrassed about this posh car – they thought it was hilarious that it was the cheapest we could find and admitted to driving a jag with similar tyres that held the road, he said - we said the appropriate responses but I think it was evident we didn’t really know much about cars!!!

We carried on up the road and stopped at the Icefield Visitors Centre.   At first we couldn’t park but we squeezed in at the end of a row and walked up the steps.  It was absolutely packed out, it felt like China revisited.   There were loads of tours available at a price but we just wanted to walk on the glacier – not an option unless we parted with serious money -we could park up and walk within 200 ft but not allowed on it , we thought we would keep the option open for on the way back down.  

All the way up the mountains were amazing, getting bigger and grander with huge snow peaks on them and lots of hanging glaciers.  Dr Freds mouth was agape in awe and wonder.   He confessed to feeling ‘Queasy’ maybe not the right word but he was finding it difficult to see these stupendous peaks and not be able to access them!!!  Every way we looked it was just stunning!

We spent a few days in Jasper doing various things  and then did the return drive back down past Lake Louise onto new territory.   The beauty of the landscape did not diminish in any way on a second viewing.   I think Dr Freds Queasiness did due to his knee playing up but we stopped and admired the various viewpoints and gazes across the hazy skies taking in the majesty of the Rocky Mountain Way!