More Icefields Parkway Waterfalls

 Some more photos of our recent Canadian trip.  This time north of the Columbia Icefield.

Athabasca Falls was one of our favorite stops.


The falls is only about 23 meters high, but the force of the water makes it one of the most powerful in the Canadian Rockies.


The Athabasca River flows from the Columbia Icefield and is the largest river system in Jasper NP.


There is a paved pathway from the parking lot to view the falls.


The force of the water has carved through the limestone resulting in beautiful walls lining the river.


We got to get very up close and personal with the falls.  


Jasper National Park experienced a massive fire in 2024.


80,000 acres were burned.


In the town of Jasper 358 structures were lost out of only 1,110 structures.  Devastating.

Sunwapta Falls


Before heading to the falls though we had a picnic lunch to enjoy.  Fortunately, we had bought sandwiches and chips at the hotel prior to departing.  No food stops would be available until reaching the town of Jasper.


We found a picnic table and were immediately joined by this beautiful raven.


He had absolutely no fear of humans and thought he'd help themselves to our lunch.


It unfortunate for him because a former park ranger doesn't feed any kind of wildlife--not even her favorite bird species.  How do they survive in the winter when there aren't any tourists to feed them if they don't learn to hunt for themselves?


Sunwapta Falls was created by a hanging valley.


This hanging valley was created 8000 years ago when glaciers receded.  Larger valleys were carved much deeper than the smaller valleys.  Where the two valleys intersect is called a hanging valley.


The higher elevation hanging valley is named Chaba Valley and the lower and larger valley is called Athabasca Valley.  At their intersection is a beautiful waterfalls that has created a deep gorge through the limestone walls.


Athabasca Falls is also the trailhead for a back country hike that we saw several people gearing up for--even packing in their own firewood.  Here's warning sign to not try to ford the river.  You wouldn't have to tell me twice.


We walked up the trail a little ways, but without having bear spray with us we didn't go very far.  We thought this curved tree was interesting.  Probably got this way under snowpack is what I'm guessing.


Then we spotted something along the canyon wall.


A raven's nest.  I feel bad for those fledglings who are either going to sink or fly along the river.


Selfie by the U-shaped falls.  Onward to the next falls.


Tangle Falls was viewpoint right along the Icefields Parkway.

Comments

Yogi♪♪♪ said…
Them ravens are attracted to you Ellen!!
July 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
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