Tag: #travelwithchildren

Jasper National Park: Athabasca Falls

On By mubeenazamIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 24th September)

I was looking forward to visiting these falls as I read that the rock formations around the area were pretty dramatic, I had decent weather so was happy to be visiting.  Walking around I was struck by the multitude of natures designs in the rocks around the landscape, really fascinating.  In some areas, as you will see, the trees were beautiful and the fact that many trees had fallen, created their own unique tapestry within the woodland area around Athabasca Falls.

One of my favorite places during this visit were the steps that had absolutely amazing rock formations on either side of them, you can see these in the few photos.  The way the water is eroding the rock is truly incredible which is why my second favourite place was where the potholes are, you could easily imagine that a human has created these with her or his hands from clay, the fact is, that these are all unique designs created by the caressing of the water over many, many years.

While walking around, you come across benches which have been placed in certain locations in memory of people who underestimated the rocks and how slippy they could be, and unfortunately fell to their death.  Being in those areas were stark reminders that you really cannot mess with nature and feel you are invincible, caution must be exercised and respect given to natures gift to us, always!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athabasca_Falls

http://www.albertawow.com/hikes/Athabasca_Falls/Athabasca_Falls.htm.

http://www.todocanada.ca/city/jasper/listing/athabasca-falls-jasper-national-park/

IMG_2218 IMG_2216 IMG_2215 IMG_2214 IMG_2212 IMG_2211 IMG_2201 IMG_2198 IMG_2193 IMG_2188 IMG_2186 IMG_2182 IMG_2180 IMG_2176 IMG_2171 IMG_2170 IMG_2166 IMG_2164 IMG_2161 IMG_2160 IMG_2150 IMG_2148 IMG_2147 IMG_2144 IMG_2143 IMG_2139 IMG_2134 IMG_2133 IMG_2129 IMG_2125 IMG_2122 IMG_2120 IMG_2119 IMG_2113 IMG_2109

Jasper National Park: Sunwapta Falls

On By mubeenazamIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 24th September)

I loved this place, there were so many aspects of this ladscape that were very cool and original.  For example, the pathways that were interwoven with the roots of the trees was absolutely amazing, no steps needed here, nature was providing its own staircase for the benefit and comfort of its guests…tread with gratitude.  Another thing I really liked about this place was the island of trees that was being caressed by water around its sides  with the magnificence of the mountains in the backdrop.  Although the sound of the water was refreshing and soothing, my favourite aspect of this place was the formation and the setting of the trees and their roots.

http://m.sunwapta.com/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunwapta_Falls






  

Jasper National Park: Tangle Creek and Stutfield Glacier 

On By mubeenazamIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 24th September)

I read about the Tangle Falls (Tangle Creek) and the description of it stated that it was a series of mini waterfalls that interlinked together, it was if they were braiding a hair style out of water, it was so relaxing to be at these  waterfalls as they were different levels of sounds of water depending on where you stood, very nice.

Stutfield Glacier was very different from the Athabasca Glacier but still beautiful in its own sense, it was another landscape that was different from others I had seen so far.  The last photo was special at the moment I saw it,  I captured this first in my rear view mirror, I stopped on the side to take this, it was a scene of its own, not sure the photo does justice to what I actually saw, beautiful nonetheless. The sun, different colours of the trees, the grey and white clouds, the empty road and the snow capped mountain made it a captivating image and memory.

http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/canada-tangle-falls.html

http://travelingluck.com/North+America/Canada/Alberta/_6158658_Stutfield+Glacier.html


  
  


  
  

Banff National Park: Weeping Wall and Bridal Veil Falls

On By mubeenazamIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Wednesday 23rd September)

Sorry again, a day too late..

I suppose when you read on a map that along your drive you will pass by waterfalls that are called “Weeping” and “Bridal Veil Falls” you really  have to keep an eye out and visit them.  The beauty of these two falls is that  they were along the way and very easily accessible.

The Weeping Wall Falls were totally gorgeous, to see this wall literally weeping was fanatastic, it was quite moving actually, as you focussed on the wall and the different areas it was “weeping” from, it was as if the wall was emotionally narrating a moving story.

I continued the wonderful drive through the mountain range, it was such a buzz, some of the switchbacks were crazy and the view I was capturing through my eyes from the rear view mirror was as beautiful as what was unfolding before me, the unfortunate thing was that I could not stop as much as I wanted to in order to capture the view I was leaving behind me.  I know this is the young boy car fanatic in me, but I wish I had a convertible sports car in many parts of this trip…including this very drive.

The Bridal Veil Falls were stunning, they were not as close as the Weeping Wall Falls, I used the longer range lens to capture as close as I could, you can make out the lovely, crisp and clean fall of the water overthe  rock edge, it is evident to see why they are named Bridal Veil Falls.

http://www.albertawow.com/hikes/Weeping_Wall/Weeping_Wall.htm

http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/canada-bridal-veil-falls.html








  

Jasper National Park – Colombia Icefield, A hidden gem hike!

On By mubeenazamIn Uncategorized1 Comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 24th September)

When we were returning from visiting the glacier, our guide mentioned a hidden gem of a hike that he said if anyone who has the time and the energy to do, should do.  He pointed it out, it looked good and although it was not part of the plan, I really wanted to do it. We arrived at the depot where we transitioned from the mother snow coach to the boring standard everyday coach…I did not board, everyone else did and I decided to do the hike.

I was advised to watch my step, not just for loose rocks but lots of poo from mountain goats which were seen frequently in these mountains. The hike was great and I was full of adrenaline as I was the only one on the mountain, unfortunately I did not see the wildlife I wanted to but thoroughly enjoyed myself…and as you can see the views are totally incredible and exhilarating.

The hike (or crazy run down) was awesome!  The trees that you see that have growth on one side and not the other are perfect examples of how harsh the conditions become in this environment where the extreme weather and brutal winds kill off one side of the trees and the other side that is protected from the rough elements continue their existence, a real contrast of the beauty of life and death in nature.  Setting off I saw some wildlife on the road and decided to stop briefly at the glacier lookout bridge known as the ‘glacier skywalk’…very cool piece of engineering.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/explore-interets/glacier-athabasca.aspx

http://www.brewster.ca/activities-in-the-rockies/brewster-attractions/glacier-skywalk/the-experience/


  
  
  



  


  
  
  
  
  


  

Jasper National Park – Colombia Icefield, Athabasca Glacier…interesting!

On By mubeenazamIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 24th September)

I took some photos of the names and heights of some of the mountains in the surrounding area and very interesting facts about the ice and the glacier I had just visited as I did not have time before my tour in the morning and because of my journey ahead, this was the best way of educating myself, absolutely fascinating, especially the artist paintings which are on display in the Glacier Interpretive Centre.  If you have a few minutes read the information and have a look at the artists paintings which are apparently a true reflection of what the glacier used to be like in the early 1900’s.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Icefield


  
  


  
  
  


  
  
  

Jasper National Park – Colombia Icefield, Athabasca Glacier

On By mubeenazamIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Thursday 24th September)

I was so excited about seeing, touching, and experiencing a glacier which is said to have formed during the Great Glaciation (238,000 to 126,000 BC)…even tasting it!  The Colombia Icefield is the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains of North America and it is the most visited glacier too.

There are options to go without a tour guide but I was not going to travel on this without experts as I had read about people dying in certain areas on this glacier. I was also happy about the timing as the centre which accommodates these visits closes sometime in October.  I read that some parts of the glacier were nearly 300m deep which was a fascinating fact and reassuring to an extent that I would not fall through!

You take a bus from the Colombia Interpretive Centre to where you take the mother of buses, the ‘snow coach’ as it is sometimes referred to and it was cool to be boarding one of only 23 of these in the world to transport us to the glacier. I booked on to the 10am tour which was the best thing I did as we were the first tour of the day and when we did get to the glacier we had the whole glacier to ourselves for about 20 minutes, after that it did get quite busy as by the time our snow coach was due to return there were already two other coaches parked up on the glacier with others on their way.

What a fantastic experience, a completely different environment and landscape to what I had seen so far on this trip and I knew that unless there was some crazy change in weather (which could definitely happen the more north I drove) this would be a unique experience. It was very cold, and at times the glacier wind was freezing and some people took refuge in the snow coach whose engine and heating was left on for that very reason. One of the best sights, other than the fact I could stand next to the thickness of the glacier we could see, was the independent glaciers hanging off two other mountains…that was an amazing sight and these can be seen clearly in the photo after the first video.

However, with every wonder and gift of the world there is always a sad reality. In the third photo down, I am stood in the car park with a bridge behind me and behind that in the distance is the beginning of the glacier, over a hundred years ago the glacier used to be where the car park is!!  The depressing aspect of this stunning glacier is where it used to be just over a hundred years ago and how much it has now receded and continues to recede, so much so that our tour guide said that this particular glacier that you see has a lifespan of between 70-80 years before it completely disappears!

http://www.brewster.ca/activities-in-the-rockies/brewster-attractions/columbia-icefield-glacier-adventure/#/0

http://www.icewalks.com/page7.html


  
  

  

  



  
  


  
  

Banff National Park: Mistaya Canyon

On By mubeenazamIn Uncategorized1 Comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Wednesday 23rd September)

I am amazed at how powerful water is and can be and how we are often reminded and sometimes forget that water can not be underestimated…in any way.  I visited this place as a person mentioned while I was in Banff that this was a spectacular canyon that I should try to visit.  In my opinion, it is an example of natures artistry at work that no human can re create, and this piece of art is constantly changing and will continue to change.  It was so peaceful listening to the roaring water as I looked at the serene curves in the limestone rocks where each layer tells its own story.  I could have easily spent much longer here as I would have loved to spend more time at different parts of the canyon as each aspect of the canyon had its own individual beauty, at times as if they were separate canyons in different locations.  I am left amazed again.

Mistaya Canyon is a canyon in the western part of the Alberta province of Canada. It is formed by the Mistaya River. Tourists who are visiting Banff National Park often visit it because of its distinctive curvy canyon walls and because it is easy to access, being just off the Icefields Parkway.

http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Mistaya-Canyon-Falls-2728/

http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Mistaya-Canyon-near-Banff-AB-1641






Banff National Park: Peyto Lake…a true gem, you won’t believe this!

On By mubeenazamIn Uncategorized1 Comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Wednesday 23rd September)

Ok, I have seen some beautiful things in my life in different parts of the world, but what this blog is about is something that I don’t think I will ever forget about and will long to visit again.  It is something that I take great pleasure in showing photos about and when my friends and family have seen the video, I watch it with them as if I have never seen the video before and I am left awe struck just like the first time.  From my whole trip, there has been no other place that has left people’s senses bamboozled and struggling to differentiate between reality and non reality, I witnessed over the course of over 45 minutes visitors reactions as they approached the balcony to view this, you may react the same way?

Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake located in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is easily accessed from the Icefields Parkway. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area.

During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake, and these suspended rock particles give the lake a bright, turquoise colour. Because of its bright colour, photos of the lake often appear in illustrated books, and area around the lake is a popular sightseeing spot for tourists in the park. The lake is best seen from Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway.
The lake is fed by the Peyto Creek, which drains water from the Caldron Lake and Peyto Glacier (part of the Wapta Icefield), and flows into the Mistaya River.

http://banffandbeyond.com/is-peyto-lake-really-that-blue/



  

Edit

Banff National Park: Herbet Lake, Bow Lake and Num-Ti Jah Lodge

On By mubeenazamIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

(My solo road trip of western Canada – Wednesday 23rd September)

Banff was truly brilliant and set me up for the next part of my adventure and that was the drive towards Jasper National Park.  The drive through the Icelands Parkway is said to be one of the most scenic and breathtaking views you can experience and honestly, there were times when I was left totally speechless and I could not even string a sentence together to myself…and that is saying something!  The plan for this part of the trip was to stop at as many places as possible and to cover as much distance as I could before my next stop which actually was not hours and hours away but I was aware that there was much to see.

Bow Lake is a small lake in western Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Bow River, in the Canadian Rockies, at an altitude of 1920 m.  It is one of the lakes that line the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park and Jasper National Park along with many other such lakes.

Herbet Lake


  

Bow Lake

http://albertatravel.org/Bow_Lake.htm


  
  

Num-Ti Jah Lodge

http://sntj.ca/