Alberta, Johnston Canyon, Columbia Icefields and travel home - October 8 & 9th, 2022 - Part 3

 Last full day in Alberta we made our way back to Edmonton to catch our flight in the morning, but we decided to take the "longer" way and head up Ice Fields Parkway.

We left our rental and stopped at Johnston Canyon.  We had been there long time ago in the Winter but wanted to experience it in the fall.  It was a great hike and view but a little disappointed we could only go to lower falls, but it was closed to the upper falls. It was a lot different compared to the frozen water we saw the last time we were there. 

We continued up the road to Ice Fields Parkway, and enjoyed the scenic drive. The mountains, the water, glaciers and the winding roads was all pretty neat.  We only got out of the car to see Bow Lake, before getting to the Columbia Icefields.

 Once at the Ice fields, we purchased our tickets for the Skywalk and then we had a picnic lunch. (forgot to take a photo, but it was great, we had sausage and crackers, raw carrots, mixed nuts and some berries.)

We took the shuttle to the Skywalk, where we went on the glass-floor platform of the Columbia Icefield Skywalk is approximately 280 metres (918 feet) above the valley floor. The Discovery Vista (glass-floored platform) extends 35 metres (115 feet) out from the edge of the cliff face.  It was a pretty cool experience, but Lola did not enjoy when people were jumping on it. It was easier to walk on it if you didn't look down at the glass.  

The one mountain, Snow Dome is a Continental Divide, The mountain is one of two hydrological apexes of North America; it is a major triple divide between three great drainage basins. The glaciers have receded a lot over the years, but something pretty neat to see.

Back at the Ice Fields main base, we had to get Starbucks from the highest elevation Starbucks in Canada. 

We headed back on the road to get back to Edmonton.  The Larches along the way were very gold and super neat. On the way we stopped for Supper at Nick's Diner and Pizza in Rocky Mountain House. The food was really good, and they even had a gluten free bun!

 

The drive from Rocky Mountain House to the airport was dark, but bright from the beautiful moon.  We made it to the hotel, AA returned the car and we went to bed pretty early. 

The next day we got a shuttle to the airport and got back home with little troubles.  We had an awesome trip to the Rocky's and can't wait to go back!

Back to Winnipeg.