Thunderstorms in the night led to a wet pack-up and a drizzly drive west, up and over the Kicking Horse Pass and on to Golden, BC and Glacier National Park. We switched drivers before heading back east, as my back situation was not improving, so Jane got to experience driving the same sketchy high mountain pass in the rain and fog. Fun stuff.
Once back at the Yoho campground, we took the winding road up to Takakkaw Falls to view Canada's second-highest waterfall. Jane also got to "enjoy" driving the sharp switchbacks up the cliff. My ambling gait in the pouring rain made for a poor combination on the walk in to see the Falls - but hey, once you're wet, you're wet. Just ask the elk standing at the side of the road.
On the way back up the hill, we stopped to appreciate the Spiral Tunnels from a higher vantage than our campsite afforded the night before.
After doubling back to Lake Louise for gas and a new USB charger, we left the TCH and took the Icefields Parkway north for one of the country's most scenic drives, through Jasper National Park and on to Jasper. Stunning vistas abound, including mountains, glaciers, icefields, lakes, rivers and wildlife. Oh and tourists, though few could truly be described as the "stunning" variety.
After meandering our way up the Parkway, we stopped in Jasper for food and a break. Originally planned as our stop for the night, we decided to press onwards and make up some ground. The drive on Highway 16 East from Jasper towards Hinton featured more spectacular mountain visuals, before we turned north on the Bighorn Highway and headed up through Grand Cache and on to Grand Prairie for the night.
Between the rain and my ailing back, camping didn't seem like a good option. We enjoyed a dry motel room and HGTV with some Mary Brown's for dinner.....and for dessert, two Ibuprofen washed down with some local beer!
Golden, BC
Driving the Kicking Horse Pass
Back to the valley floor near Field, BC
On the road to Takakkaw Falls
Hope nobody is coming the other way!
Elk along the roadside
Rivers run through it!
Spiral Tunnels over the Pass
The Road goes ever on.....
Jasper, Alberta
Driving the eastern portion of Jasper National Park
Takakkaw Falls
Bow Lake
Columbia Icefields
An inch an hour, two feet a day....
A glacial reception
Heading east from Jasper
Jane gets her fix for dinner
Gateway Motel in Grand Prairie, Alberta
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