Our day started with a drive to the Columbia Icefield. We had done about three-quarters of that drive during our rainy-day drive, but we still found spots to stop and take pictures.
In the icefield, youâll find Snow Dome. Water flowing from that mountain can flow in three different drainage basins and, that way, into three different oceans (Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic). Impressive on its own and beautiful to look at, too.
Discovering the Columbia Icefield begins at the visitor center, where you can hop on a bus to the Skywalk. The skywalk is just up the hill. The bus is only required as it has minimal parking space, and having hordes of people park and walk along the highway to get to an artificial outcrop might cause more trouble (and death) than the view is worth.
From there, we continue to the valley of the five lakes. Itâs a little over 5km loop with a view of, you guessed it, five lakes, but with a surprise puddle or swamp at the start. When you start the loop, the first turn goes around a small puddle. Thereâs enough water to create the impression that youâve just encountered something similar to Mirror Lake. Something that might be a lake in the spring, but turns into weeds and little water in the fall. Itâs really once youâve met the next lake over with a panel named âlake fiveâ that youâll feel the relief that youâll actually see lakes!
The last stop is Jasper. Another ski town with a mix of a very relaxed vibe with its rainbow crosswalks and funny signs, and a stringent side with reminders to wear masks inside and outside, with bylaw numbers in all caps. In the end, itâs a little different than Banff but nothing impressive. We stopped for a delicious meal, then got back in the car for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Lake Louise.
Tomorrow weâre moving. Weâll be making our way to BC!