Day 4, September 3, 2019 - Northwest Mountains Expedition

Day 4, September 3 … Lake Louise and the Icefields

It is an absolutely perfect day today. The sky is clear with no haze on the mountains and the temperature is refreshingly and comfortably cool.  We head north up the Trans Canadian Highway to Lake Louise; however, access is impossible. The parking lots are full -- doesn’t anyone work anymore?!  So we continue north along the Icefields Parkway. Of course the vistas continue to be the magnificent Rocky Mountains, many of them with glaciers either capped or in secreted various crevices.  We made several stops along the way …

Numerous wildlife crossings along the
Trans Canadian highway

Crowfoot glacier – This glacier is named for the three smaller glaciers resembling a crow’s foot and is the first of many glaciers to follow!

Beautiful Bow Lake

Bow Lake – This is one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park,  fed by runoff from the Bow Glacier.  Because the winds were calm, the aquamarine water of the lake perfectly reflected the deep green alpine forest and Bow Summit behind it.  Amazingly beautiful.

Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake – Climbing up to Bow Summit, 7,000 feet, the highest point along the Icefields Parkway, we find another lake nestled among the mountains and glaciers; and that is Peyto Lake. The lake is considered the “bluest” of all the lakes in the park. That color is due to the light reflecting properties of the glacial flour flowing into the lake from the Peyto Glacier. The view is also spectacular.

Mistaya Canyon

Waterfall Lake – Yet another beautiful turquoise lake created by the glacial silt coming from Peyto Glacier.

Mistaya Canyon -  This necessitated a quarter mile hike, all down hill on a steep rocky path.  But, of course, the end result was phenomenal.  Water coming down from Peyto Lake gushing through a narrow six-foot wide, 70-foot deep canyon which it has carved into the rock.  The rushing sound of the water is mesmerizing, the water is icy clear, the smell of the spruce and pines is intoxicating and the area is pristine.  But … arg … the hike by UP the trail can certainly be considered our workout for the day!

Howse Pass Lookout – This pass had been used for hundreds of years by the Aboriginal people to access the Alberta plains for buffalo. The river here, of course still surrounded by evergreen forests and tall barren mountain tops spotted with glaciers, looks like the braided river beds we saw in Alaska.  Very interesting.

Saskatchewan River

Saskatchewan River Crossing – This is a beautiful braided portion of the Saskatchewan River, which eventually flows into Lake Winnipeg. It was discovered by British fur traders in 1807 as a trade route to the Pacific Coast.  Because this particular area gets little snow in the winter, it is an oasis for wildlife. The overriding views of the evergreens and glaciers in the mountains continues to enthrall us.  It’s also time for lunch, so we enjoyed our picnic in this very peaceful, beautiful setting – perfect temps, no wind, no bugs, lots of sunshine and, of course, great company!!

We pass by Panther and Bridal Falls, the Saskatchewan Glacier and Parkers Ridge.

Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Ice Field

Columbia Ice Field – The Athabasca and Dome Glaciers are impressive, and one can even take bus tours to step out onto the glacier if so inclined.  We simply enjoyed from afar!  While the glacier has receded almost a mile in the past 175 years, it is still a sight to behold. It is almost four miles long, covers an area of about 2 ½ square miles and is between 300 -980 feet thick.  And the gift shop had some lovely “Canadian” items for sale too!

Dome Glacier

Lake Louise – So all day long we’ve been in this incredible valley of alpines and mountains, and both Diane and I were snapping pictures practically continuously at every turn that had a slightly different view point.  We probably have enough mountain pictures to fill an encyclopedia!!  Lake Louise held no exception.  The parking pressure relieved on our return trip, so we left the car in Bob’s capable hands and proceeded on foot to the shoreline of this magnificent alpine lake. Victoria Glacier looms at the far end of the lake, about 4 miles away, and is about 300 feet high. It is said when the glacier calves – that is when a piece of ice off the front of the glacier breaks and crashes into the valley below – the gunshot-like sound takes 20 seconds before it is heard on the other side of the lake!!   Bob and I did reminisce about the last time we were here 11 years ago. At that time we still had the wherewithal to hike up the mountain for six miles to the lovely tea house for the best tea we’ve ever had!!  Instead, today we took advantage of the Happy Hour at a local restaurant/bar.

Lake Louise with Victoria Glacier in the background

Moraine Lake – A Canadian icon, this is one of the most photographed paces in all of Canada.   The lake is nestled in the spectacular Valley of Ten Peaks. Those ten mountains envelope the lake that reflects those peaks on its glistening, blue green water.  The lake, the alpines, the mountains, the glaciers – simply jaw-dropping. This is one of the greatest stops!

Lake Moraine in the Valley of Ten Peaks

This has simply been a stunningly beautiful day.  We top it off with delicious Fish and Chips dinners at a local British Pub , Georgetown Inn … and now we put our bodies to bed – tired but awed by all we saw and experienced today!