Jasper: Athabasca Glacier and Tangle Falls

After hiking Wilcox Pass it was only natural to visit Athabasca Glacier as it is basically right across the road. This glacier is very well known as it is easy to reach from the Icefields Parkway. There is a large parking lot and then all you have to do is climb up a short path and you are literally standing within feet of this massive glacier.

Path leading to the Athabasca Glacier

 Just like at Wilcox Pass it was rather chilly. A result of the wind blowing over the Columbia Icefield. Dad and I saw many people in a wide variety of dress. There were girls in flip flops and mini-skirts, guys in shorts and t-shirts, and one couple looked as though they were about to undertake an arctic exploration as they were so well covered! My suggestion is to wear a pair of running shoes to make climbing the path easier and to have a sweatshirt of jacket handy. Many people do stop here for a few minutes as they are traveling down the parkway so dressing in layers would probably be best so as to be comfortable in the car but warm when you stop to see the glacier.

It is possible to actually go out onto the glacier but you should not do so unless you are with an official guide. It can be very dangerous to walk out onto the glacier by yourself and there are many informational signs telling you exactly why this is not a good idea. Unfortunately, many people ignore the warning and cross the fenced off area to walk on the glacier anyways.

Here are some of the plaques they have on display telling you about the glacier and warning of the dangers.

Standing at the foot of the glacier

A very sad story

Some of the not so wise people who decided to risk it and walk on the glacier

After taking in the glacier we jumped back in the car and continued up the Icefields Parkway. I had Dad stop for a few minutes so I could take in Tangle Falls. These beautiful falls are literally right on the Parkway. I am drawn to water, I love it. I love waterfalls, and lakes, and oceans, and rivers. If you are a water lover like me you will adore these Falls, they are picture perfect.

Instead of heading right back to the campsite Dad and I made a detour into town to gas up the car as we would be moving campsites in the morning. There are some lovely views as one drives into Jasper on the parkway.

The dogs and stepmother were waiting for us back at the campsite. Dad and I rewarded them for being so good that day by taking them for a walk along the Athabasca River that runs right next to the campground. There is a nice trail that runs next to the river. The dogs loved it and splashed around in the water. A nice way to spend our last evening in Jasper.

 

Jasper National Park:Wilcox Pass

Dad had the alarm set to wakeup us up at an absurdly early hour as we would be driving about two hours south to hike Wilcox Pass which is near the Athabasca Glacier. I am NOT a morning person and it was very difficult to drag myself out of bed.

The stepmother was once again not joining us on this hike for whatever reason, no complaints from me!

It was a beautiful drive to the hiking trail, the sun was coming up and there was a lovely misty fog settled around the mountains.

We were the first hikers at the trail that morning thanks to dad's insistence of an early wakeup. I was grateful for that as we were able to get a good ways up the trail before more accomplished hikers showed up and started to pass us due to my slow hiking speed.

This trail has a steady elevation gain, there were not too many steep slopes to scramble up which made it more enjoyable.

The hike starts out in the woods and you gradually climb above the treeline and are greeted with fantastic views of the Athabasca glacier and the other glaciers that surround it as they all come down from the Columbia Icefields.

Athabasca Glacier

Once out of the treeline you are hiking out in the open with the view of the glaciers to your left.

You eventually reach a large valley that appears to stretch on forever. Dad says you could continue walking through the valley for hours but we did not have time for that. Instead we decided to climb up a bit higher and find a good lunch spot.

View from our lunch spot. It was VERY cold up there. Dad says it is because the air is blowing over the glaciers which cools it. It is also because we were on an exposed hilltop. If you ever hike this trail make sure to pack a warm sweater or fleece! 

Wilcox Pass is well known for the Mountain Sheep that frequent the valley. On the way up Dad and I did not see any and so thought we were out of luck. However, on our way back down another hiker pointed one out to us. Up where Dad and I had been eating our lunch there was now a Mountain Sheep! We could barely see it as we were so far away but Dad was able to get some pictures thanks to his zoom.

Jasper National Park: Athabasca Falls

After returning from our Bald Hills hike it was decided that we would all make a trip down the road to visit Athabasca Falls. The falls are about a 20 minute drive south of the Wabasso campground where we were staying. There is a large paved parking lot by the falls as it is a popular tourist spot and many tour busses stop here.

You walk along a path from the parking lot until the beginning of the falls come into view. The path continues on and wraps around the falls and is connected by several bridges allowing many different views of the lovely falls and waters running turbulently in the canyon below.

This plaque was on one of the benches. It is very sad that people often make foolish decisions that cost them their lives and cause their family much sorrow. 

Raindrops started to fall so we made our way back to the car to drive back to the campground. It was a lovely evening despite the rain clouds.