Oh, Canada! Icefields Parkway-Day 1

(Bow Lake)

6/25 – CHANGE OF PLANS

Today we thought we would take it easy after our full day hiking yesterday. But looking at the weather forecast for the next couple of days, we decided to leave Lake Louise Campground a day early to get a jump on the Icefields Parkway. The popular campgrounds that came up first were all full, but we discovered Waterfowl Lakes Campground. It is a first-come, first-serve campground with 110 sites without any hook-ups. It appeared to still have plenty of availability online. That was all we needed to know. We don’t need a huge spot, so we were off.

Yes, it meant paying for tonight at a second campground, but we were OK with that because it means we are going to see more this way.

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OMG. We are so grateful to Dave Lamoureux and Doug and Brenda Lehman for letting us know the Icefields Parkway was a must do!! This drive is the most incredible highway drive anywhere in North America based on the quality of road, the length and the spectacular views that never stop! The pullouts are well marked to be able to take in remarkable natural features right off the highway. Some had a little hike, but they were always well worth it!

Crowfoot Glacier

Bow Lake

Bow Lake—from the other end with The Lodge

Peyto Lake Lookout and Bow Summit. Hmm…how many different views of Bow Lake are there?

Peyto Lake Lookout – More incredible turquoise water!!

It was cool to see the water flows into the lake.

This was a really cool outline frame that most people just walked by without realizing what it was. I didn’t exactly get the mountain “in” as far as I should have but we can still get the idea of how much the Peyto Glacier has melted away since 1902.

How does Peyto Lake get its color?

The lake (and glacier) are both named after Bill Peyto. (pee-toe NOT pay-toe)

Hike to the Bow Lake Summit. The clouds kept moving quickly, so we took multiple pictures when we thought the lighting and the clarity of the distant mountains improved.

Heading back down to Peyto Lake Overlook.

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We got a great site at Waterfowl Lakes Campground no problem. $18 CND + $17 CND for a fire permit, BUT it came with all the wood needed/desired!  Luckily, for us most of this wood was left at our site. Barry collected a little more from an adjacent site that was available.

Barry’s happy place. 🙂

Firewood available in the park!

So much privacy!!

Since a river ran all along the back side of the campground, I went for a walk that evening. WOW…it led right to a beautiful lake. I believe it was the Waterfowl Upper Lake.  

It was getting to be dusk, I figured since we are in bear country that maybe I shouldn’t keep going on this trail or cross the bridge to the forested area. Then I saw this bird. Maybe a ptarmigan?

Then on the opposite side of the trail this guy startled me…I’m not sure what bird he is unless it it a male version, but he didn’t look like the pictures I found on the internet. If you know, let me know in a comment below. Regardless, I headed directly back to Barry and Sadie LOL

I wanted Barry to see the river and lake, so before we left the next morning, we went for a quick walk. It did not disappoint!!

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And just like that we were heading out for our second day heading north on the Icefields Parkway…