Highway 93 is a major north/south highway that begins in Jasper, Canada and ends in Wickenburg, AZ, 1,720 miles away. The stretch from Mile 0 to Mile 144 is known as the Icefields Parkway, and it links Jasper to Lake Louise in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It winds along the Continental Divide, through Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, traversing some of the wildest and most rugged land imaginable – mighty mountains, vast sweeping valleys, raging rivers, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and simply spectacular scenery.
We had seen pictures and read friends’ blog posts, and now we certainly agree it’s a must see, must drive for any visit to this part of Canada.
The parkway was built during the depression era, and due to the rugged terrain and short warm season, it took 9 years to complete. Click here for more history about the parkway.
The trip can be made in three hours or less, but why rush it? The jaw-dropping scenery will slow folks down soon after they cross through the entrance gate at Jasper (you need a Parks Canada pass to drive through), and likely wildlife encounters grab everyone’s attention.
We explored the parkway on several occasions. While at Jasper we went as far as the Columbia Icefield – the border between Jasper NP and Banff NP – on one drive. On another day we drove to Valley of Five Lakes near Jasper and picked up a trail there. Finally, we drove all the way with Betsy to our next destination at Lake Louise.
There are several viewpoints, interpretative displays, points of interest and photo opportunities along the route that once again kept my camera in overdrive. Some pictures were “drive-by shootings”, while others were taken while we were on a trail.
Columbia Icefield
Columbia Icefield, the largest in the Canadian Rockies, is a surviving remnant of the thick ice mass that once mantled most of western Canada’s mountains. Nearly three-quarters of the park’s highest peaks are located close to this ice field, and the area is the center of all glacial adventure.
One of the most popular tourist attractions is the trail to the toe of Athabasca Glacier. It ‘s a short but steep hike that ends close to the edge of the receding glacier.
The Athabasca glacier is one of the “toes” of the Columbia Icefield, and is 2.3 sq. miles long and 300–980′ thick.
After that trek we crossed the parkway and visited the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center to learn more about the history of the parkway and the gradual recession of Athabasca Glacier.
One of the plaques mentioned that because of a warming climate, the Athabasca Glacier has been receding rapidly for the last 125 years. Losing half its volume in that time, the shrinking glacier has left a moonscape of rocky moraines in its wake. Below are photos from 1940 and Sept, 2016.
Wilcox Pass
Further along the parkway was Wilcox Trail, where our hearts pounded as we climbed to the top of the ridge for a rewarding view:
There are six pairs of red chairs scattered around Jasper National Park, but we’d found only two so far.
The Drive Back to Jasper
Sunwapta, meaning ‘turbulent water’ in Stoney native language, offers a drop of 60′ and is 30′ wide.
Valley of Five Lakes
Off the parkway is the Valley of the Five Lakes, which was close to our campground. We followed the long loop (6 mi) counterclockwise, passing five extremely clear lakes displaying shades of jade or blue, depending on their depth.
Rain was due the morning we hiked the trail, but thankfully we finished our trek before the skies opened up. The lakes were amazing, and I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves:
Driving Betsy to Lake Louise
We got a new perspective during this drive on the parkway, as it had snowed the previous night. It added a beautiful dimension to the already breathtaking scenery.
Approaching Lake Louise, we saw the “million dollar overpass”, built just for bear, elk and other wildlife that may want to cross the Trans-Canada Highway.
The drive along the Icefields Parkway was sensory overload, and one of the highlights of our Rocky Mountains adventures. A visit to the Canadian Rockies would be incomplete without experiencing this captivating area.
Lowes Travels 
Thank you so much for posting these beautiful pictures! When I retire in a few years, this drive will definitely be on my To Do list.
Yes, make a note to yourself, this is a once in a lifetime drive.
Wow, how beautiful but looks cold. What visual delight you two have been seeing. And to think we are near the end (or beginning) of Hwy 93 as we sit in sunny and warm Phoenix.
Definitely cold! but we have to do go out as much as we can, it is such a beautiful country.
Now there is something I have never seen…a Caribou crossing. Wow are they huge.
I love those red chairs.
Your photos are outstanding. What an amazing place. Thanks for the great tour. I know we will never get there.
And yes, that tourist needs her head examined!
You take some great pictures. Waiting for January as we are making reservations for this summer. Thanks
Thanks. Just so you know, entrance to All Canada National Parks will be free next year, which means double the crowd we had, but the scenery will make it up for you.
What a great post Mona Liza. I love that the pictures are so large I can really feel the scale and absorb the beautiful colors. That is some bull caribou. I have never seen one that close. He is really spectacular. How absolutely wonderful to be able to hike up to a glacier. Your comparison pictures show how much has been lost and make me very sad that we are still not doing anything to even try to stop our part in global warming. Love the pictures of the lakes. So beautiful and the one of Steve in the chairs made me laugh. If you two keep it up, you’ll find all the red chairs. Should be a prize if you do. Thanks for the tip about the skyway verses the discovery center. Another smile when I saw the overpass. Big high 5’s to the Canadians for caring. You seem to have had reasonable tourist traffic and not toooo cold although 30 degrees is lower than I ever said I’d do but still I hope some day to use your blogs as a guide for my own trip so thank you so much for such great posts.
I LOVE the red chair program. Such a great idea! And I have yet to see any placed in a location with less than spectacular views. How do you get THAT job – the person who gets to check out the most picturesque locations in the National Park System and decide which gets the red chairs? I want that job. 🙂
This is such a breathtaking drive:) How nice of Steve to remove the screen door for better photos:) We have removed the screen from the long window by my seat permanently just for that reason. All the ice and glaciers are so beautiful. Love your photo approaching the low clouds surrounding the mountains. Outstanding photo!! Great photos of the Five Lakes! The bull elk are so massive! Glad you got to hear the trumpeting! John didn’t miss your little comment…haha! I’m sorry it was so cold for most of your visit. While it seems too much heat was everywhere else, you were in early winter way too early.
Oh, how spectacular!! I love that you not only drove the Icefields Parkway, but took us out onto the nearby trails (of course!). So beautiful that you were there for the leaves changing, and also for a dusting of snow. Your photos are very enticing—the lakes are gorgeous and the red chairs are so fun. That has to be the biggest bull elk I’ve ever seen!
Absolutely incredible! Every photo is a postcard. What a terrific visit you had in this area!
Amazing photos! And I love the red chairs. What an awe-inspiring trip.
I loved seeing your photos during a different time of year. Gorgeous country!
SO beautiful! Love the red chairs. The hikes looks amazing. I can’t wait to travel across the southern route of Canada!
Amazing beauty…words don’t describe these pictures. What a great drive and adventure!
It’s a spectacular drive. I agree … why rush it? We did half of it from Banff to the Columbia Icefield, and completed the other end from Jasper a few years later. That allowed us to dally and hike along the way. Those red chairs must be new since our visit in 2009. They make a nice counterpoint of color to the scenery. The Glacier Skywalk must be new too. I can see why such attractions are built, but I wish they weren’t. I’m with you on clueless tourists and wildlife. Now problem if the wildlife comes to you, but it’s so obvious she was going to them … a big no, no.