We started the day with a lovely walk to the bus depot (-1C at 7:00 but not unpleasant). We knew this was going to be our longest day and we weren't disappointed. Altogether, the tour lasted 10 1/2 hrs, but what a great day!
First stop was beautiful Lake Louise named after Queen Victoria's 4th daughter. With no wind, the water was like glass giving a near perfect reflection. In case you think hiring a canoe would be fun, the going rate was $95 for a half hour. Not what we'd call a bargain! As usual John felt the water temperature - first 4 out of 4 for exhilarating.
From there it was back on the bus and past some beautiful lakes in the Bow River Valley, ending up at Peyto Lake. These lakes are a beautiful blue colour caused by 'rock flour' ground by the glaciers as they move. This effects refraction of light allowing the blue end of the spectrum through.
Because it had snowed, and several bus-loads of tourists had already walked to the viewing platform at Lake Peyto the path was icy and therefore extremely slippery. It was pretty seeing the snow still on the trees.
This photo is typical of the road along the Icefields Parkway.
This may look like we are standing in snow but we are actually on the Athabasca Glacier. The ridge in the background is part of the Columbia Icefields which feeds many glaciers. This one is 5km long, 1km wide and 300m thick in places. Sadly it is also receding at a rate of about 5m per year.
To get onto the glacier, special vehicles with 6 wheel drive and tractor tyres are used.
Our last adventure for the day was the Glacier Skywalk over the glacier. It is fairly new and takes you our on a glass walkway almost 300m above the valley floor. (John and me in the photo on left).
Seen today: Mountain goats; 700 year old but only about 3m tall fir trees (due to very short growing season and poor soil); lines of tourist buses; Triple Continental Divide (where water flows to 3 oceans - Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic.
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