Icefields Parkway - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 260

20. Athabasca Falls
In summer swing onto Hwy. 93a, a spur loop once a part of the primary Icefields Parkway.
ThesheerdropatAthabascaFalls—onlyabout75feet—isn'twhatmakesthiswaterfallone
of visitors' favorites. Instead, it's the water's power, among the strongest in the Canadian
Rockies. Meltwater from the Columbia Glacier feeds the Athabasca River, the largest river
system in the park, and carves deep, swirling “potholes” into the soft limestone canyon,
which can be seen along the short trail that leads to a viewpoint below the falls.
21. Cavell Road
About 18 miles of scenic evergreen forest bring drivers from Athabasca Falls to Cavell
Road,whichleadsvisitorsupwinding,narrowswitchbackstothebaseofMt.EdithCavell.
Withmorethan11,000feetinelevation,thesnowcappedsummitdominatestheJasper-area
landscape. The short, self-guiding Path of the Glacier Trail leads visitors to a small lake of
robin's-egg blue and views of Angel Glacier and Cavell Glacier, which obligingly calves
into Cavell Pond and sets small icebergs bobbing in the milky water.
Hikeabovetherockdebris,remnantsoftheIceAge,toCavellMeadows,whichblooms
with wildflowers such as red paintbrush, blue alpine speedwell, yellow arnica, purple
fleabane,andwhitewesternanemoneduringashortwindowfrommid-Julytomid-August.
22. Jasper
Aftertravelingabout179milesfromBanff,you'llarriveatmilezeroontheIcefieldsPark-
way. Jasper, the “little town in the big park,” is home to fewer than 5,000 residents but
hosts about 2 million visitors per year who come for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor ad-
ventures.
The railroad rooted Jasper at the turn of the 19th century, and its importance can be felt
still today. Connaught Drive traces the train tracks through the heart of the town. Lodging,
dining, and shops are centrally located on this street, as well as several information and
visitor centers. Get your bearings with a guided trip up Whistlers Mountain on the Jasper
Tramway, the country's longest and highest aerial tramway, located just south of town.
Nearby Patricia and Pyramid lakes are visible from the northwest side of the 7,472-foot
overlook.
The clear, shallow lakes are popular destinations for summer and winter visitors who
are drawn to activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.