In 2010, we entered the Canadian Rocky Mountains just east of Radium Hot Springs as we crossed into Kootenay National Park, one of the four national parks and three provincial parks that make up the Canadian Rocky Mountains UNESCO Heritage Site. No manmade gate or archway could have been as impressive as this natural canyon entrance. We changed the route a bit in 2011 and entered the park through Kicking Horse Pass.
Lake Louise is the icon of Banff National Park. Known as "Lake of the little fishes" by the Stoney Indians, its present name comes from Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1884), daughter of Queen Victoria.
Moraine Lake sits in the "Valley of the 10 Peaks." Its stunningly bright turquoise water and the closeness of the surrounding snow capped peaks makes this my favorite lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
There is abundant wildlife that you might see, large and small.
Bow Lake is located at Bow Summit along the Columbia Icefields Parkway. A peaceful place to stop and admire the lake and glaciers, and listen to the water lap against the shore.
A short and moderately steep paved path leads to the overlook of Peyto Lake. The bright turquoise color of the lake comes from "rock flour" or "glacial flour," fine, clay-sized particles of rock. Also called glacial milk.
Columbia Icefields Parkway is 142 miles of amazing beauty between Lake Louise and Jasper.
Within the Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Glacier is the easiest to get to from the Parkway. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest of the 6 main glaciers.
Melt water from the Athabasca Glacier combines and runs into Athabasca Falls.