Columbia Icefield : glaciers in retreat

The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic highways that we have experienced.  With magnificent natural landscape and evergreen trees on both sides, you can drive leisurely along the Parkway.  You can stop at lookout and picnic areas to enjoy the beautiful scenery and to take some pictures.


(Icefields Parkway)

 We drove from the Banff to the Jasper National Park along the Parkway.  In mid-way, we stopped at the Parks Canada hotel that overlooking the Columbia Icefield.  We had snow that night even though it was already in June.

(Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier)

We took the "Ice Explorer" which took us up the glacier.  It was an experience walking in the glacier and coming close to the icefield.  You will realize how tiny we are in front of the Mother Nature.

("Ice Explorer" going up the glacier)

(Icefalls of the Athabasca Glacier)

(Walking in the glacier)

With the global warming effects, the glaciers are in retreat.  Compared to what we had seen in our previous trips, we could notice the terminal moraine moving up the hill.