Icefields Parkway – Lake Louise to Jasper 5/30/2009
The Icefields Parkway is an extremely scenic highway that runs the length of the Banff and Jasper National park between Lake Louise and Jasper – a distance of about 250 km.
We got up and out of campground at 8 am. Our 1st major destination was the Columbia Icefields. On the way, we hiked up to Peyto Lake overlook – which gave us outstanding views of the highest point in the Canadian Rockies. We also visited Mistayla Canyon.
We had lunch at the Columbia Icefields Information Center and went through the exhibits about the Glacier area.
As we got back on parkway, we spotted a black bear and her cub in a filed adjacent to highway. We did get a picture. We stopped alone the rest of the parkway at Sunwapta Falls and Arthabasca Falls. When we checked into the Whistlers Campground in Jasper, an Elk was grazing between campsites.
The town of Jasper was larger than we imagined. It was smaller and more subdued than Banff but much larger than Lake Louise. We arrived about 3 pm. After setting up camp, we went to information center and the Gondola to go to the top of this place. It was closed due to high winds.
After super, we went to Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Jasper. It was Pentecost Sunday. The church was a modern, conservative style. The local people were a very diverse group from all races. We enjoyed being at our first church service since leaving. We always seemed to be in a remote location.
We added a couple of pictures of our camper being shutdown to our camper page (TAB at top of blog)