Mountain Therapy Escape February 16, 2022

Icefield Parkway

Banff National Park & Jasper National Park

There are times in my life when the "stars align" and then there are times when the "Stars Align", and then times when the "STARS ALIGN" ! Well today the STAAARS ALLLIGNED!  As luck would have it, Adventure Designer and I would be enjoying a mountain escape in the same general area over some of the same days.  We were in touch with her stating she was designing an adventure and was I game to go off on this journey with her.  I have been a part of these designs before, I knew what I would be in for so I jumped on board just like that!  

She left her home away from home and dropped by mine to pick me up and off we went for a tour along the Icefield Parkway! I have never been here in the dead of winter and was excited for the day.  It's not a road I would take on at this time of year.  We decided to see how far we get given time and her level of comfort with the road conditions.

Not far along we were stopped by a patrol person who advised us they were cleaning up snow and debris from a controlled avalanche performed over night.  This was the view as we were give the go ahead to move along.  The plow had cleared enough roadway for us to get through.

This is a view from inside the vehicle.  

We drove the big bend and reached high elevation and now approaching Parker Ridge area.

We pulled off in this section to admire the view.  Parker Ridge is to the left and our plan is carry further along and assess as we go.  There was no traffic, we owned the road, so I went for a shot that shows my excitement for being here.  It's the dead of winter, it's remote, it's wild, it's desolate, but I felt so alive! 

This photo was taken from the vehicle.  

We crossed over into Jasper National Park and we are aiming for the Columbia Icefields.  

The road was plowed down to the parking lot for the Columbia Icefields.  We bundled up and went for a walk as far as we felt comfortable with.  This is looking up at the Athabasca Glacier in the centre of the photo.  It was cold here and there was a bit of wind every now and then but that blue sky and the scenery was incredible.  

here we are on a small ridge off the trail

Adventure Designer taking a few minutes to just be in the moment!

There is something so incredibly moving to be out here, right now!  

As we were heading back to the vehicle, we both kept looking back!  I didn't want to leave and I wondered why she kept looking back but we had so much more to experience and it was time to head further west.  We drove to the Tangle Falls parking lot and made this our turn around location.  Before carrying on back, we crossed the road to visit the Falls. How about the colour of those falls!  WOW!  

Tangle Falls

This photo was taken from the car as we drove back towards the Columbia Icefields.

More amazing frozen falls so we stopped again and crossed the road to see them.  There was a beaten path that lead in the direction of the falls that was probably used by ice climbers.  We did not venture any further, we respected the avalanche warning sign.  

This is a view from the vehicle showing how narrow this section of road is and how the ice and snow on the road is melting.  The sun was so intense and worked its magic on the road, at times the road was bone dry.  That was the case with the winding steep big bend section of road further back.

view from the vehicle as we carried along heading for Peyto Lake

The road to the lower parking lot at Peyto Lake was ploughed and the parking lot cleared.  This is the view as the Peyto Lake kiosk.  A few other cars were already here and as we hiked in to the Lake we met the people coming back out, all who were beaming brightly so we knew we were in for a treat. 

This is the pile of snow cleared from the parking lot! 

Of course, I had to climb it!

the trail through the forest heading towards the new viewing platform at Peyto Lake

We arrived at the platform and on this day at this time we owned it!  That never ever happens during other seasons.  This view is looking down onto Peyto Lake with it being snow covered.  Other times of the year this lake is turquoise in colour.  To me it is just as beautiful in winter!  

another view in another direction

Adventure Designer brought her Buffalo Plaid blanket and settled on it for some photo ops.

joining in on the photo opportunity

realizing the colours we choose to wear today were perfect

the biggest marshmallow I ever did see

It was time to continue further back east and stop off at Bow Lake for a walk around.  This is the view of Crowfoot Mountain just after we left the parking lot aiming for the edge of the lake.  The snow is wind sculptured into a perfect drift.

embracing the feeling of being out on Bow Lake in the dead of winter

There was no water anywhere to be seen so no reflections to capture.  

In this location it was all about the shadows!

Adventure Designer designing her shadow shot!

I am not much of a designer, this is mine!

this is our shadow shot

view of Bow Lake and Crowfoot Mountain from the little wood bridge

As we worked our way back to the vehicle, I stopped to admire the Lodge and to see the Canadian Flag waving in the wind. It will be another few months before the Lodge opens again for another season. 

This was our last stop before heading back to Lake Louise.  It was early evening by the time we arrived back at The Village and decided to dine in at The Outpost at the Post Hotel.  Once inside we checked our comfort level for being inside there and with an A.O.K we then picked the comfy sofa in the corner.  Two hours later, it was time to head on home. 

Today was absolutely amazing!  I kind of knew it would be with my friend being the designer of our day!  It was great that Mother Nature came on board and presented us with wonderful weather and parks people worked their magic to give us safe driving conditions.  Like I said early in this story, today in the dead of winter I felt so alive!