Banff: Parker Ridge and the Saskatchewan Glacier

It was another very early morning. We were leaving Jasper and making our way to Banff. We had done most of the necessary packing the night before so it was just a matter of hitching the trailer to the car. Luckily this went smoothly unlike when we unhitched it a few days beforehand!

The early start was necessary as we were going to be hiking Parker Ridge that morning and the light is best for optimal glacier viewing in the morning. The trail was just about two hours south on the Icefields Parkway, very close to the Wilcox Pass trail that Dad and I had hiked the day before.

We had red skies that morning, what would that portend? 

It was an uneventful drive down the parkway and we made good time and got to the trail before any other hikers. It took a little time to get ready in the parking lot as we would all be doing this hike so we had to leash the dogs and fit Tilly with her hiking pack (carries the dog food and water; when people ask about the pack Dad likes to say they are carrying our beer, don't ask).  I think the dogs were excited to be going on the hike, they had spent the past few days hanging out at the campground with the stepmother, not very exciting.

There was this sign at the start of the trail, beware! Luckily we did not come across any unexploded devices on our hike!

This trail is not too difficult, there is even a bench to take a rest on halfway up! You will see several pictures of the same thing as the light and weather kept changing while we were hiking which of course changes how everything looks. Typical mountain weather, completely unpredictable.

Marcus ready for the hike

Tilly and her hiking pack

Marcus wants to know why we stopped to sit on the bench

I spotted some marmots on the climb up, luckily the dogs did not or they would have been pulling us all over the place to try and get to them.

Once we reached the top the path flattens out and you walk across a large meadow until the  Saskatchewan Glacier comes into view. The trail then follows along the ridge for more views of the glacier and the valley.

Saskatchewan Glacier

 Maria was too scared to walk along the path on the ridge so she found a spot to sit and wait with Tilly while Dad, Marcus and I continued to explore. Tilly was rather distressed seeing us walking away and we could hear her whining despite the fact that we were never out of sight.

There was a pretty waterfall on the other side of the valley.

I loved how this sunbeam seemed to shine down directly on the small pond/lake in the valley.

Dad had me pose for a picture. I felt as though I was very close to the edge and was very nervous although when I look at the picture I wasn't that close to the edge at all. Hahaha

After Dad and I got our fill of picture taking we went back and rejoined the stepmother. As we started back Dad voiced his interest in exploring an offshoot of the trail the goes further up the mountain. Maria and I weren't interested so we waited while he went up the trail.While Dad was gone it started to get colder and colder and we could see a bank of rain clouds coming our way. I thought for sure we were going to get drenched. In preparation we put on our rain gear. My rain coat is a bright pink. The only other hiker out on the ridge with us was a photographer and he asked to take my picture with the dogs as he said the colour of my coat, combined with the two dogs and the background of the mountains in the rain was perfect. He then gave me his card so I could get the picture. I did get it eventually but I won't post it since it is not my photo.

The picture below is one that Dad took while up on the trail. You can't really tell but there are some specks that are the stepmother and myself while we wait. What you can see is the rain heading straight for us.

Luckily Dad rejoined us in good time and we were able to barely escape the deluge.

Overall this was a good hike and not too long. Dad says the glacier would have been more spectacular if we had been there on a sunny day. Next time!

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.