Rockpile Trail

The Moraine Lake Rockpile trail is a short 0.8 km roundtrip loop. On the return from Consolation Lakes, veer off to reach the trail.

Great views of Moraine Lake on the trail.

2019 06 20

Consolation Lakes

The Consolation Lakes trail starts at the other end of the Moraine Lake parking lot.

The trail is 2.9 km one way with an elevation gain of 65 m and takes 2 hours roundtrip.

It's a scramble over rocks at the end of the trail to get to the lakes.

The trail ends at Consolation Lakes.

This was a ground squirrel and not a chipmunk. The ground squirrel doesn't have a stripe on its head.

We also saw very well fed marmots. They were too quick to get a picture.

2019 06 20

Moraine Lake

We arrived at Lake Louise in the early afternoon. There was no parking available at Lake Louise but there was parking available at Moraine Lake.

Moraine Lake is a 20-minute drive up a steep hill from Lake Louise.

The Lakeshore walk at Moraine Lake is a flat 1.5 km one way trail with no elevation gain. It takes about an hour to make the round trip hike.

The views are gorgeous.

At the end of the lake, you'll find the river emptying into the lake.

View from the southern end of the lake.

2019 06 20

Rampart Creek

We spent the night at the Rampart Creek campground. We were now officially back in Banff.

There are 35 reservable sites and 16 non-reservable sites that are available first come-first served.

Site 17. The campground is unserviced and in fact there wasn't even someone to check us in. There were dry toilets, no showers but there was drinking water available. The fee for the night was CAD17.60.

When we woke up the next morning, there was snow.

It continued to snow as we drove towards Lake Louise. Instead of the beautiful view we had on the drive north, we could barely see anything. What a different experience.

2019 06 19

En Route to Lake Louise

On the Icefield Parkway en route to Lake Louise, you'll pass several waterfalls.

Tangle Creek Falls is 7 km north of the Icefield Center. It's a multi-tiered cascade that is visible from the Icefield Parkway.

Bridal Veil Falls is 14 km south of the Icefield Center.

This was another pull-off from the highway. We crossed the field to find a beautiful creek.

We didn't see the name of this creek but nicknamed it Gatorade Frost. The water was an icy blue color.

We followed the creek until we couldn't continue further.

2019 06 19

Athabasca Glacier

103 km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, stop at the Columbia Icefield Center.

The Icefield Center is open mid April to mid October. You can purchase tours to the Athabasca Glacier, learn about glaciers and watch a 25-minute film "Through Ice & Time." There is also a restaurant and a gift shop.

Across the highway from the Icefield Center, you can hike to the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier. It's a 1.4 km roundtrip moderate hike that takes about an hour.

The glacier has receded significantly.

Signs highlight where the glacier was through the years. In 1992, the glacier reached this point.

2019 06 19

Sunwapta Falls

Sunwapta Falls is 55 km and 50 minutes south of Jasper.

From the parking lot, you can access several trails.

It's a short walk to the Sunwapta River

and the Sunwapta Falls.

The trail was submerged in water in certain areas.

The river is very powerful.

There are viewpoints that get you close to the river.

Take the short walk to the lower canyon.

2019 06 19