The Icefields

Had a few days off, so we ventured up the Icefields Highway for some camping and hiking. My daughter was taking a few days of mountaineering courses through Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, and had a campsite at the Icefields campground (Jasper National Park), so we took it over from her. The weather was supposed to get better (ha!).

We did a late afternoon hike up Parker's Ridge, and then beyond on a ridge heading towards Mt Athabasca. We had fabulous views of the Saskatchewan Glacier, and the huge peaks around Athabasca. Very cool coral fossils abound in the area. Pretty much everything is above tree line here, since the highway is at 2000m.

The next day, we hiked behind the campground towards Wilcox Pass. A couple of Park's Canada's famous red chairs overlook the Athabasca Glacier on the trail above the campground. What a view! But the view got better once we turned off the trail and wandered across the alpine meadow to gain the ridge up Mt Wilcox. Towards the top of the mountain, it starts getting a bit sketchy, with some exposure, and very steep chimneys/gullies. But our lunch spot was unsurpassed!

On the way down, a dozen  Big Horn rams were lazing in the sun on the ridge. We had to circle around them - catching some cool photos of the beasts while doing so. Pretty much a National Geographic moment!

The following day proved to be rainy, and we pulled the plug. But we have to go back! This area is so incredible! And only 2.5 hours drive from Grandview Chalet B&B in Canmore.