The glacier route - one of the most beautiful in the world!

Second stage of our road trip. After visiting Jasper National Park we head for Banff Park. Between the two 229 kilometers! But fortunately these are the most beautiful 229 km we have made!

On the agenda: glaciers, turquoise water, steep mountains ...

It all started with a visit to Mount Edith Cavell, which can be reached by road. This road reveals little by little all the beauty of this mount perched at 3300m altitude! Once up there are several options available to us. We choose the small hike that allows us to go to the foot of the lake which is below the Mount. It is forbidden to approach more because there is a risk of falling ice!

Then we will see the Athabasca Falls, they are not high but powerful! Among the most powerful of the Rockies!

At the entrance to Jasper Park we were given a map showing the different things to see on the famous Glacier Road. Really very well done!

On the way we stop at the Athabasca Glacier which is one of the most famous in the region. Once on the car park you have to walk. On the edge of the trail markers are placed to show the retreat of the ice. It is impressive and sad to see that the glacier has receded several hundred meters in a few decades.

We then stop to observe the beautiful lakes with indescribable colors. Especially Lake Peyto! Why is the lake water blue? The water flowing from the glacier is muddy and contains gravel, rocks and silt. When the creek slows, most of this rock remains behind and forms the delta. The silt sinks in the icy water and found at the bottom. Fine particles of the powdered rock remain in suspension. This rock flour diffuses the green blue components of the light and gives the lake its color.

Next stop is Banff Park with Lake Louise and Morraine Lake (the one on the $ 20 Canadian banknotes)

To review our journey:
Step 1 - Jasper:here
Preparation : here