Pretty decent mode of travel; sometimes it can be annoying to be stuck in a slow moving group and…read moreunable to pass. If that happens, pull over at an overlook and take a break.

The Icefields Parkway took us through Banff & Jasper National Parks…read more The parkway links Lake Louise with Jasper is considered one of the most beautiful journeys on the planet, Alberta's Highway 93. Most of the scenic places that we stopped were along this parkway. Rated as one of the top drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, the Icefield Parkway is a 144 mile stretch of highway winding along the Continental Divide through soaring rocky mountain peaks, icefields and vast sweeping valleys. As we drove along the ice fields Parkway, we saw cars stopped on the side with cameras, sticking out the windows. We knew that that meant that there was an animal nearby to view. From our tour bus I saw sheep, moose, goats and marmot, and eagles.

Same thought with Peyto Lake; too many tourons that only want an Instagram picture and climbing…read moreover railings and acting a fool. 3rd world country stuff here. If you take the trail off the beaten path, you can hike for miles without another person and get some peace and quiet to yourself! The overlook is a 2/5 for me, the trail is a 5/5!

This is a scenic and attractive lake with an entrancing deep turquoise color. It is conveniently…read morelocated right off of the Icefields Parkway about halfway between Banff and the Columbia Icefield, so there's really no excuse for not stopping for a view. There are actually two parking levels and only tour buses are allowed on the top level closer to the Kodak viewing lookout. Private cars need to park on the lower level and folks need to do a modest hike upward to the lookout. This lake is fed by a receding Peyto glacier that is in view also. We saw quite a few lakes on this trip, but they are all worth seeing and all spectacular in their own individual way, and this one was no different in that regards.

As you're leaving the Columbia Icefields - Athabasca Glacier area heading north towards…read moreJasper...these Tangle Creek Falls are fantastic in terms of being a quick, efficient and beautiful roadside stop! You don't have to walk/hike at all to arrive here...or in fact...even exit your car! For me...this was a rewarding experience without having to work hard to get to. I would be cautious when driving... If you're going north to Jasper...Tangle Creek Falls are situated on the right hand side of the road and can easily be passed if you're not going slow because the road slopes downhill as you're driving, so that's where I'd keep my foot close to the brake. Worst case scenario you pass it and then just turn around. No big deal. Off to the left hand side parallel to the falls...there's a parking lot pullover area for you to leave your car. Then cross the street and you're standing in front of a 3-layer/tier waterfall that I found to be quite photogenic. In fact...among all the waterfalls I confronted throughout my Canadian Rockies adventure (which interestingly weren't too many)...I found these Tangle Creek Falls to probably be the best! I would say this stop is popular because it's so nearby the Columbia Icefield area...within just a couple of kilometers. So, for me, lol...I found it difficult to capture pictures of the falls without being "photobombed". Some strangers were occupying their selfie photos time too much and I did have to stand by the edge of the road and wait for them to finish. Lol, just so you know...you may encounter an issue like this. But me...I'm very, very picky about avoiding strangers in my picture moments. Also here at the falls, people were climbing the rocks and ledges to immerse themselves among the falls in a more optimal manner for photos. I was okay with standing by the edge of the road and snapping pics. I felt satisfied with how my photos appeared. You only need a few minutes hanging out here at this terrific roadside stop. I used 15 minutes before returning to my car. Overall, for what it is (being located right on the side of Icefields Parkway)... I found Tangle Creek Falls to be a memorable experience along my journey north towards the attractions of Jasper.

This is a pretty falls that's literally on the side of Icefields Parkway…read more You can look at it while driving by or stop to get a picture. The parking lot is across the street, so make sure to be careful when crossing the highway. The falls starts out wide at the top and narrows some at the bottom. You can climb up to get closer to the falls, but the best view is really from the roadside at the bottom.

A short excursion from the highway to see some raging waters from a bridge or from rocks, it's a…read morefree attraction. Busy tourist attractions and way too many people trying to get themselves too close to the edge. Besides that, watching the water go is quite interesting.

Mistaya Canyon is a quick and popular roadside stop around the midpoint area along famed Icefields…read moreParkway. It lies 5 kilometers south of the Saskatchewan River Crossing, which many people consider as the "official" halfway point between Jasper (158 km) and Banff (130 km). From the parking lot, it's a short walk to Mistaya Canyon. You'll first confront a bridge/overlook viewpoint that showcases the raging Mistaya River zigzagging through the rugged rock canyon walls. And best of all from this bridge vista point, you're afforded scenic sights of the forest trees around you with beautiful snowcapped mountain peaks set in the distance. I recommend capturing a photo or two from the bridge. Then...you have the chance to go and explore at your own accord, sort of like choosing your own adventure. Although there is a trail pathway you can follow, most people were climbing on the rocks beside the river and taking their best family photo moments. When I was here for the middle of June, it wasn't too crowded, so you're able to get some decent alone time among the picturesque setting. Since there's so much to see and do along Icefields Parkway and if you're managing your activities throughout the day....I'd just mention that you only really need 30 - 40 minutes while here. But...if you're in no rush, you can sit down and enjoy a picnic lunch and spend 1 or 2 or 3 hours. Point is...to witness Mistaya Canyon, you don't have to work hard to get a real feel glimpse of the surroundings. Overall, this place is another worthwhile attraction within the Canadian Rockies and should be taken advantage of because its conveniently located right off Icefields Parkway.

Like many of the falls in the area, you will find a breathtaking view if you just go a little bit…read morefurther than the average tourist. Do yourself a favor and hike to the lower falls! A little bit farther and a little bit more of a work out, the lower falls offer a crowd-free experience. My husband and I visited shortly after visiting Athabasca falls and pretty much had the entire place to ourselves. It was an overcast day, but that did not take away from the beauty of everything we saw. There is plenty of parking as well as a public restroom when you get to Sunwapta Falls.

The falls are located about 42 miles south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway. At the road is a…read more'resort' / motel and a restaurant, I think. You turn there and go less than a half mile to a loop / parking area near the falls. When we went (early afternoon on a Monday in the summer), it was a bit challenging to find a parking space. Overflow appeared to be along the approach road. We did find a space that was being vacated by another car, but later it appeared this was likely a less-than-legitimate parking space. Oh well. The falls are quite close to the parking area (maybe 100 yards?). There are actually two falls connected by a narrow / deep canyon of about 100 feet in length. There are several viewing areas and it pays to visit all 3 - 4 of them, to get the best overview of both falls. I'd recommend visiting in the afternoon for better lighting. Also, if you are visiting both, I'd recommend coming here *before* going to Athabasca Falls (which is further along the road towards Jasper), as the latter is more impressive. That is not to say that Sunwapta is not worthwhile; I just think you'll be more impressed with it if you see it first and are not comparing it at the time with Athabasca. The trails to overlooks are fairly short. Seeing the whole place took on the order of 30 - 45 minutes, for us. YMMV. Definitely a worthwhile stop, though.

Stopping again in Jasper National Park a 2nd time during my North American travels, I finally got…read moreto hike and explore Mount Edith Cavell. Initially when I arrived here back in June, 2022, the road to the trailhead was blanketed in snow. Now for late September, I had a terrific opportunity to get a real feel perspective for what makes the surroundings here one of the most popular in all of Jasper. There are 2 pathways to hike... Of course, I couldn't decide which to venture along, so I just chose both! The Path of the Glacier Trail will take you to the foot of Cavell Glacier and the colorful turquoise green lake. It takes maybe 45 minutes to hike it. But, the real star to being at Mount Edith is hiking the Cavell Meadows Trail which you will lead you towards the top of the mountainous landscape for views from high above. This Cavell Meadows Trail goes for 6 - 7 kilometers roundtrip and 3 - 4 hours total. I highly recommend it! Regardless of which hikes and or trails you pick from, just being in such a snow-like winter setting made me feel far away from my realities of the South Florida palm trees. I couldn't have asked for a better day hiking and admiring the crisp and clear conditions. Lastly, Mount Edith Cavell is located right off Icefields Parkway...27 kilometers south of downtown Jasper, AB and is conveniently accessible to complementing the rest of the attractions in the area.

Hands down our favorite discovery/adventure while exploring The Canadian Rockies!! This area known…read moreas Mount Edith Cavell is also home to Angel Glacier, which is essentially the draw. Many choose to hike to the top, but after visiting Iceland and spending some time in a glacier lagoon, the bottom was where we wanted to go! It did NOT disappoint. The sound of the ice gently clanking has become one of my favorite sounds in the entire universe, and I've been chasing it ever since!! The only issue with hiking down to the base where the glacier falls is that it is pretty much forbidden. There have been flooding similar to tsunamis in the region when chunks of the glacier break off. There's many DO NOT ENTER signs but we stopped at nothing to get just a small taste of what we experienced in Iceland, so we risked it. The hike down is fairly easy but rocky. It is further down than it looks however. I would recommend hiking boots or shoes with good traction and ankle support so you don't slip on the ice and/or roll your ankle. We felt safe, although fully alert and prepared just in case we needed to bolt. We knew we definitely wanted to be up and out before the sun set and we were sure to listen for ice cracking. I wouldn't recommend this for someone who hasn't been near a glacier lagoon and who isnt familiar with what it sounds like just before the glacier breaks. You can visit and just enjoy the overlook, and it's worth it just to see it from there. There's a pathed walk up, so it is handicap and stroller friendly to a certain point, but it's a bit of an steep incline. It's about a mile or so each way. Totally worth it. It's not really near anything else and you won't have reception the closer to the water you get, again, all worth it. There are outhouses and parking for camper-vans. No overnight parking though. DO NOT MISS THIS!!!

Beautiful! Pictures don't really do it justice…read more You have to feel the energy of the water to get a good feel for the power and beauty. Super easily accessible. There is a small trail across the bridge should you want a different view. Go early in the morning if you can... before 8:30am and you will probably have the place to yourself before the tour buses start rolling in.

Canada has so many beautiful natural wonders. And the Canadian Park Service does such an amazing…read morejob of preserving, presenting, and curating the entire experience. These falls are just another example. There is an ample parking lot, the walk ways are well maintained. The structures are high quality and allow people of all mobilities access to the beautiful views. Lots of places to enjoy the falls, and also take pictures. Amazing!

This is Wilcox Pass Trail located in the Columbia Icefield section of Jasper National Park…read more It's an 8 kilometer (or 5 mile) moderate, roundtrip hike offering rewarding views of Athabasca and Snow Dome Glaciers set in the distance. Basically...if you'd like to capture a landscape/panoramic perspective of this ultra popular, Icefields Parkway area from high above...then you'll appreciate venturing along Wilcox Pass Trail. The hike ends when you have reached Wilcox Ridge, the "pinnacle of it all" where you'll have undisturbed, vista point sceneries. Here at Wilcox Ridge...some hikers were taking selfies as well as sitting and relaxing while having water and snacks. Btw, an added bonus midway through the hike was...passing by a family of bighorn sheep while they were lying and grazing in the grass right along the path towards Wilcox Ridge. Now...I highly recommend you proceed onto Wilcox Pass Trail in the morning to be afforded time with the sun at your back and making for worthwhile picture opportunities. Funny...unfortunately for me, the first time I arrived here, I stopped in the afternoon and the sun was staring me straight in the face. I was barely able to admire the setting because I was blinded by the sun and couldn't see. Welp...with a 2nd chance to make things right, lol, I woke up the following morning (at 6am!) and was the first hiker onto the trail. This made all the difference. With the sun's positioning in the sky exactly where I wanted it, I was now able to have wonderful moments breathing in the fresh Canadian air while enjoying the glacial surroundings. Overall, it made for a fulfilling morning and first half of my day. One extra note...right nearby here (just a few kilometers down the road) is another 1/2-day hike I'd recommend called - Parker Ridge Trail. And, of course, don't forget to spend time at the Columbia Icefield Lodge and taking a tour out onto Athabasca Glacier (which almost every tourist does). Alright, well, this is Wilcox Pass trail situated in the heart of Jasper NP, Alberta, Canada.

This trail is probably the nicest short trail in Banff-Jasper area, especially when there are no…read moreforest fires or low clouds, so you get perfect views of mountains Athabasca, Andromeda, North Twin, and Columbia icefields. I don't think any other trail in the Rockies is that rewarding in terms of the views from the top. We didn't see any wildlife except for lone elk and some pikas, but people report seeing marmots and mountain goats. Someone told us that there are some fossils right at the top, we tried to find them but couldn't. I recommend starting your hike early in the morning as by 2pm the sun will be right behind the mountains and you would see anything. Also, by noon, the trail will be crowded, we met over 30 people on the way down.

This is a great hike in Jasper at Lake Maligne. It's somewhere around 6-8 miles depending on the…read moreroute you take. We started around 9 am and the trail was pretty empty on our way up. There were definitely more people on the way down but still not very crowded compared to trails in Banff. You start out on an old fire road. After about a mile and half, you can either stay on the fire road or take a steeper path. The fire road is about 1.5 km more, but it's a little more gentle of an incline. We took it on the way up and the steeper route on the way down. There's a bit of a view once the two trails meet up but continue on for half a kilometer before you start the climb to the summit. There's supposed to be a loop to get to the summit, but I'm not sure we ever did find it. There were a couple different branches that all led to the top. The climb was quite steep, but the views at the top were worth it. There are several good views of Maligne Lake as well as the valley and mountains on the other side of the summit. Overall, this was a challenging hike but not too bad. It took us about 4 hours and was definitely worth it.

This trail was one of the highlights of our trip in Alberta! It was challenging (because we took…read morethe shortcut, which was a lot steeper than the fire road route) but so worth it once you get to the top. I must admit I was getting a little bored the first half of the trial hiking up, but once you get past the hump and look back to see Maligne Lake- I wanted to keep going! The higher we want, the better the views. We eventually made it up the summit and enjoyed our sandwich. Such breathtaking views and surrounded by snow. It wasn't too cold at all! Overall it took about 4 hours round trip for us.

Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is…read moreoff the Icefields Parkway. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff Park. The lake is turquoise it's just spectacular; It looks like it was just painted. It was a spectacular day. We went off the main trail and climbed around here. Unfortunately, they had a photograph of the glacier not too long ago, and we peaked through the window and saw how it is shrinking.

You've got to come to see peyto lake if you're in the area visiting…read more Peyto lake has a beautiful bright blue colour to it that is spectacular to see and makes for great photos. There's main parking lot at the base and then it's about a 10-15 minute hike uphill to the main viewpoint. Warning - some parts are a bit steep on the way up. Tourbuses and those with handicap parking can drive further up the hill for their designated parking lot for a shorter walk to the viewpoint. We opted to drop off older family members at the higher point and then park at the main base to make their hike a bit easier physically. The path is clear and it's a pretty popular place since it's quite short walk to the view point. Definitely recommend making a short stop there to see the beautiful peyto lake.