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Columbia Icefield Region
One of the most famous icefields in the world, though certainly not anywhere near the biggest, the Columbia Icefield straddles the Continental Divide between Alberta and British Columbia, as well as the boundary between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Perhaps ironically, most of it is not actually visible from the Icefields Parkway itself, because it is an ice cap located behind most of the mountain slopes scene from the road. The icefield is the source from which many of the famous glaciers of the Canadian Rockies flow. This sceneset includes many views of mountains and glaciers in the area, including images from a visit out onto the ice of Athabasca Glacier, and some scenes from the more northern reaches of the Icefields Parkway.

The Columbia Icefield This wide panorama gives you a general view of the lay of the land near the Icefields Visitors' Centre, located near the border between Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. In the background, from left to right: Mount Athabasca and the Athabasca North Glacier; Mount Andromeda; Athabasca Glacier; Snow Dome; Dome Glacier. In the foreground, the access road leading tours onto the Athabasca Glacier; the Icefields Parkway (heading north to the right), and part of the Visitors' Centre parking area. The Columbia Icefield
Athabasca Glacier Athabasca Glacier is one of the prime tourist attractions in the Canadian Rockies, visited by thousands every year. It is readily visible from the Icefields Parkway. Notice the steep lateral moraines on each side of the glacier, which has been shrinking and withdrawing back to the Columbia Icefield for over a century, but is still very large. Athabasca Glacier
Athabasca North Glacier Amusingly, this glacier is actually located to the south of Athabasca Glacier. It gets its name from its proximity to the north face of Mt. Athabasca, visible just barely shrouded in clouds on the left side here. The triangular-shaped peak is called the Silverhorn (also slightly obscured by clouds). On the far right, part of Andromeda Glacier. Athabasca North Glacier
Snow Dome and Dome Glacier Snow Dome is another mountain accurately named for its appearance. The mountain's summit is actually located under the Columbia Icefield, and so it appears as a smoothly rounded mountain more reminiscent of what you'd see in the winter in the Appalachians, buried under feet of ice and snow. The small Dome Glacier flows down the valley formed by Snow Dome and Mt. Kitchener. Snow Dome and Dome Glacier
Secret Canyon Well, it's not really a Secret Canyon
Sheltered It's common to find ice and snow in the higher elevations of the Rockies well into the summer, but we were surprised to find this ice in our Sheltered
The Ice Road This panorama was taken from near the end of the access road to the Athabasca Glacier. It is in this area that tourists disembark from conventional buses and board the special snocoaches that go out onto the ice of the glacier, buses with very large wheels that can grip the ice and deal with smaller crevasses that have to be traversed. The Ice Road
Edge of the Glacier The southern edge of Athabasca Glacier, showing the significant lateral moraine and erosion on the flank of Mt. Andromeda. Edge of the Glacier
Andromeda Glacier A small hanging glacier in a cirque on the north side of Mt. Andromeda. Apparently at one time this glacier connected to the Athabasca (seen in the foreground here) but has become separated as both have retreated over the last century and a half. Andromeda Glacier
Athabasca Glacier - On the Ice Once the snocoach arrives in the area designated for exploring for that day, you are allowed to disembark and walk around. The view from on the glacier is actually worse than from the Visitors' Centre, but the experience of walking on the ice is unique. It's not nearly as slippery as some would imagine, because it is not smooth like ice on a lake, and there's a lot of eroded grit from when the ice passed over rock. Athabasca Glacier - On the Ice
Glacial Flow The heat of summer causes substantial melting of ice on the surface of the glacier, which collects into small streams that flow down its face. The water itself of course melts more ice, carving the streams deeper and deeper over time; all part of the ever-changing nature of a glacier. Glacial Flow
Drinking Ice A close-up of the stream we encountered while on the ice. This is some of the freshest, cleanest water in the world, and glacial meltwater is in fact bottled and sold in the area. Drinking Ice
Athabascan View A wide view from the Athabasca Glacier, with Andromeda Glacier and Mt. Andromeda left, and Snow Dome right. In the foreground, a tourist stoops to fill a water bottle with glacial meltwater. Technically it is not 100% safe to do this, but a lot of people give it a try anyway. The flavor of the water is amazing. Athabascan View
Parker Ridge, Mount Athabasca and Hilda Peak You come around a corner on the Icefields Parkway not far from the Visitors' Centre to this beautiful view. Center-right, the distinctive peak of Mt. Athabasca, seen from the south; to its right, Hilda Peak, and between them, Hilda Glacier. On the left, the slopes of Parker Ridge, a popular hiking area that leads to the Saskatchewan Glacier. Parker Ridge, Mount Athabasca and Hilda Peak
Climbing Parker Ridge A view of Mts. Athabasca and Hilda from about a third of the way up the Parker Ridge switchbacks. The Icefields Parkway snakes northward on the right side. Climbing Parker Ridge
Ancient Reminder Small marine fossils can be found readily along the slopes of the Rockies, a good reminder that this high-elevation rock was once underwater. Ancient Reminder
Wildflowers Atop the Ridge Cresting Parker Ridge provides the first view of Saskatchewan Glacier, along with pretty alpine wildflowers growing not far from the remnants of the preceding season's snows. Much of this ground is only bare of snow for a handful of weeks in July and August. Wildflowers Atop the Ridge
Saskatchewan Glacier Valley A wide panorama of the valley that has been created over centuries by ice and water flow from the Saskatchewan Glacier as it descends Saskatchewan Glacier Valley
Shades of Green The dark green of conifer forest is interrupted by the cool, almost luminescent green of a small glacial tarn in the Saskatchewan Glacier valley. This is the same small body of water at the far left in the preceding panorama. Shades of Green
Saskatchewan Glacier Despite its dramatic retreat, the Saskatchewan Glacier is still the largest ice tongue flowing off the Columbia Icefield. Also seen here, some of the stunted trees that are barely able to hang on through the tough winters and short summers on this windy ridge. Saskatchewan Glacier
Saskatchewan Glacier Close-up A closer look at the Saskatchewan Glacier, taken from a considerable distance (perhaps one or two miles) using a long lens. The word Saskatchewan Glacier Close-up
Angular The gentle slopes of Parker Ridge contrast with the sharp peaks of Mt. Athabasca and Hilda Peak in this image taken near the middle of the ridge hike, which is short but fairly steep, with a lot of switchbacks. Angular
Standing Out from the Crowd A couple of small white alpine wildflowers stand out from a sea of smaller lavender ones on a rock on top of Parker Ridge. Standing Out from the Crowd
Caught in the Act I spotted this black bear right from the Icefields Parkway on a cloudy, gloomy day. The way he (she?) is standing and the facial expression almost make it look like the bear has been caught doing something naughty. It was just frolicking around in the water, though. Caught in the Act
Pensive Black Bear The same bear from the previous image, looking much more serene here. Pensive Black Bear
The Weeping Wall Small waterfalls plunge down this sheer cliff visible from the Icefields Parkway, creating the impression of streams of tears. The water flow is slight and so the area is not that impressive in the summer, but in the winter these cascades freeze to create towering ice falls. The very accessible location makes the Weeping Wall one of the most popular ice climbing areas in the Canadian Rockies. The Weeping Wall
Tangle Falls This waterfall is formed by Tangle Creek flowing over Tangle Ridge (starting to notice a pattern?) in multiple stages. Honestly one of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen, this spectacle is conveniently located right near the Icefields Parkway near the border between Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Tangle Falls
Tangle Falls, Middle Stage This smallish fall in the middle of the larger Tangle Falls complex is, I think, the prettiest part. Tangle Falls, Middle Stage
Looking Back at Mount Kitchener A less common view from the Icefields Parkway, taken shortly after dawn looking south back in the direction of the Icefields Visitors' Centre. It was a beautiful morning as I drove in and out of valley fog along the parkway. In this image, the dominant peak is Mount Kitchener, rising high above the valley on the right. What appears to be a thick layer of snow on Kitchener is actually the edge of the Columbia Icefield. Looking Back at Mount Kitchener
Sunwapta River Valley Panorama The Sunwapta River is a major tributary of the Athabasca River, and nominally begins at the toe of the famous Athabasca Glacier just north of Sunwapta Pass, flowing north towards Jasper National Park. This is a classic view of its river valley from just north of the Icefields Visitors' Centre, showing layers of early morning fog burning off in the July sunshine. Sunwapta River Valley Panorama
Fresh Snow in Mid-July Climatologically speaking, the warmest day of the year in most parts of North America is around July 20th. This image, taken July 12, 2004, shows fresh snow dusting the upper slopes of Mount Athabasca (center) and Hilda Peak (right). It literally can snow at any time in the Canadian Rockies! Fresh Snow in Mid-July
033694-033699_0960 A wide panorama taken at the same time as the preceding image, from across the parkway from Parker Ridge. On the left side the probably-now-familiar cirque of Mount Athabasca and Hilda Peak. On the right, foothills leading up to Nigel Peak. A small glacial moraine can be seen in the foreground, along with some small conifers struggling to take hold. 033694-033699_0960
Parting Shot A final panorama showing the spectacular view from the Icefields Visitors' Centre. It was really hard to stop shooting, even when I realized I was taking the same images over and over! Parting Shot

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