Sunwapta Falls is so very similar to Athabasca Falls. And the two of these attractions are separated by only 22 kilometers along famed Icefields Parkway inside Jasper National Park.
And just like Athabasca Falls, here at Sunwapta...all you have to do is exit your car, stroll down a paved pathway and you're afforded 2 accessible viewpoints where the Sunwapta River is cascading through a canyon gorge eventually dropping down below which creates a natural waterfall.
And I know I am repeating myself, but just like Athabasca Falls, this Sunwapta Falls is not some gorgeous appearing waterfall where you can snap its entire length while standing at some sort of base or shoreline.
While here, you're pretty much looking down upon it.
Some tourists were standing off to the side beside the trees to capture their loved ones posing in all their glory, announcing that they're officially standing in front of some magical waterfall...when in reality it's just okay.
I used roughly 20 - 25 minutes of my time to take a couple of photos of Sunwapta Falls.
By the viewpoint overlook bridge area, visitors were also taking selfie pictures.
Almost left out...from the parking lot area to the falls is a casual walk of about 200 meters.
During my visit from the falls viewpoint bridge, I was able to include some of the snowcapped mountains set in the distance.
But, overall, I never had the gratifying moments as if I were viewing the next great attraction on the journey from Banff to Jasper within the Canadian Rockies.
I left here feeling (in my head) like I hope there's better than this, and more worthwhile places to explore traveling towards Jasper.
Unfortunately, my next stop was Athabasca Falls which felt like a mirror image to being here.
Sunwapta Falls might be special for most tourists and visitors while driving along the Columbia Icefields Parkway.
For me, maybe I have just been spoiled by attractions like the Banff Gondola, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and the impeccable sights and surroundings I first received starting out my Canadian Rockies adventure.
And so eventually stopping at this Sunwapta Falls, my expectations were definitely too elevated. read more