Day 22: How Natalie met the Athabasca Glacier

The Columbia Icefield and

Jasper National Park

Total Miles: 155

Total Distance:3065

Our Route:

Today, we left Lake Louise campground and drove about an hour up to the Columbia Icefield on Hwy 93. 

The scenic drive was one of the best I've ever seen. It's absolutely fantastic.

Once at the Icefield, we took the Brewster Ice Explorers out onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. 

Natalie found one of the many holes on the glacier surface and stepped into it up to her calf. 

It was cold. She said her foot went numb. 

The glacier surface is dangerous and is constantly moving.

Then we drove on up to Jasper National Park for the evening. 

We stayed at Whistlers Campground, where we found many elk around the campsites. Even coming out of the bathhouse last night, we found a female elk munching on grass right outside the door. It was quite an experience. Not one we are used to. It was quite entertaining watching the ladies come out of the bathhouse and stop short, not knowing whether to move on or stay put. The male elks are very aggressive this time of year and we were cautioned about not getting in between the male and female elks. So we have been very careful about wandering around the campground at evening and night. We also received much information about bear proofing the campsites.

Day 21: Plain of 6 Glaciers Trail Ride

Trail Ride to Plain of 6 Glaciers and Teahouse

The kids and I took a half day trial ride up the Plain of 6 Glaciers. We can't remember the names of the 6 glaciers though.

It was magnificent.

My horse was named Spam. Natalie's horse was Kidd and Adam's was Cherokee.

Our trail guide was Chuck.

Not sure if that was his real name or not. Sounds like a cowboy name though doesn't it. We skirted around the base of Lake Louise and then rose steadily on the plain. The plain looked like the remnants of the receding glacier. There were rocks and boulders all over the terrain.

Some of the trail was a bit scarey and steep. So I didn't look down at those points. We did have one lady who decided she was afraid of heights. She walked some of the way up and down.

Once we got to the top, there was a nice teahouse up there in the clouds. We stopped for tea. We had creme caramel. Plus Adam sampled the rice crispie treats and Natalie and I shared the chocolate cake. All were delicious.

On the way back down, one of the horses threw a shoe and the guide had to walk a ways. We had to swap horses around a little and I rode Peaches on the return trip. He was nice too.

This is Lake Moraine. Natalie and I drove up there early this morning to take in the view. The sun was just coming over the mountain top.

You can see the reflection clearly.

Natalie and Kidd

On the way up. We are skirting around the right side of Lake Louise.

You can see the largest glacier in the foreground. We could also hear loud crashes as the snow melt caused avalanches.

Adam says he wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.

Adam riding Cherokee

Looking back toward Lake Louise. Can you see it? Barely visible in the middle.

Plain of 6 Glaciers Teahouse. Serves the best tea and chocolate cake. The wait staff pack in all the fresh fruits served there when they hike up. They typically live there for 3 to 4 days at a time and hike down for their days off. Once  a year, a helicopter delivers all the flour and sugar and other supplies needed for the entire summer. The rest is brought in by the staff. They also have to pack out all the trash.

The view from the Teahouse.

Not as crowded as the Lake Agnes Teahouse. It's alot further hiking. Glad we came by horseback.

Adam wonders what his dad would say if he brought a Canadian horse home as a souvenir.

So now it's getting dark and the sun is setting behind the clouds. We're all tired again. Tomorrow, we set out for the Columbia Icefields and Jasper National Park.