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Ice Fields & Athabasca Falls
Still some distance from Jasper, at what is called the Jasper Ice Fields, we viewed a glacier. It is the only one upon which tourists can ride, right onto the ice. The area is barren, and deadly, and monstrously huge, and magnificent. Tourists are advised to stay with guides for safety; but it is "easy" for nearly any age. I would not recommend it for folks past 70 or so. But they could view it from the chalet, which is warm; and of course they serve casual lunch, and have a big gift shop. (There was always somebody willing to take our money, which we so gladly gave.)
Roger at the chalet with info marker. The glacier is the part to the right.
This is the bus-like truck (there were many) to take visitors to the ice. All 23 of this design are here, except one more, which is at the Antarctic. The degree of descent is 37 %; no other mass-mover of humans exists for this steep of a hill. (The one you see is just beginning. It got steeper; but did level off once on the ice.)
Roger scraped away last night's snow to reveal the ice itself which is deep, beyond belief. I think thousands of feet.
Here we are, beside the mammoth vehicle. The ice on the mountain behind us is a bit blue, visible to the naked eye, and seen also in other glaciers.
Roger beside the SnoCoach.
From the visitor parking lot, which is across the road from the glacier, you get an idea of the vastness. Those tiny specks on the ice are those busses!
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Now, on to Athabasca Falls: The following photos have my vote for the best of trip.
Can you hear the rushing water? Imagine the nippy, but calm fall day, and more beauty-near and far-than you can stand.
Only a few feet away, another angle.
Here we go again. I don't know: which one is best?
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