Athabasca glacier in the Canadian Rockies is one of the last remaining magnificent glaciers which you can explore on foot.
Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the Canadian Rockies where you can drive up to the toe of the glacier and literally touch it. If you are more adventurous at heart, you can also sign up with companies like Ice Walks who will take you on a guided hike through a stunning glacier landscape. Just be sure to watch out for out-of-sight crevasses and slippery meltwater beneath a solid-looking glacier surface.
Just one example of a magnificent scene along the Icefields Parkway drive
Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is undoubtedly one of most scenic drives in the world. Approximately 150 miles in length, the 2-lane highway hugs and curves along the Canadian Rockies as it goes North from Banff National Park. The road winds through endless vistas of mountains and glaciers, continuing past spectacular sights to the Icefield Center in Jasper National Park. When driving this scenic route, make sure to stop often and admire the bounty of natural beauty in front of you.
An Ice Explorer parked in front of the Icefield Center at Jasper National Park
At the Columbia Icefield Center, visitors can do a Glacier Walk on Athabasca which involves traveling in a special vehicle called the Ice Explorer. Only 23 of these specialized vehicles exist in the world. One is in Antarctica being used by scientists & explorers and the rest (22 to be precise) are all at the Icefield Center being used to explore glaciers like Athabasca. The Ice Explorer vehicle has balloon-like tires and specializes in being able to travel safely over fragile glacier surfaces that may have crevasses underneath.
View of Athabasca Glacier from Wilcox Pass trail.
If you see the above photo closely, you’ll notice the barely visible specks midway up the glacier – these are the custom-designed Ice Explorers making their way to the top! Once the Ice Explorer gets midway up the glacier, your joyride has come to an end. There is a cleared-out area which has been made safe to walk around for visitors. Walking on the Athabasca glacier is a truly marvelous experience. Chances are you’ve never seen anything as massive and stupendous before. Our first sight of the glacier is one we’ll never forget. We got to walk around on the icy surface, drink pure glacier water, and touch the freezing but pristine turquoise-blue ice! The glacier was covered with deep crevasses so we did not venture outside the recommended area.
Walking on a glacier!
For those seeking an adrenalin-high, there are exciting ice walks involving actual hiking and walking on the surface of the glacier with a guide whose main job is to ensure that you don’t fall through a deep crevasse. Jokes aside, these walks require you to be in great physical shape, and crampons
People hiking on the glacier! These excursions have to be with an expert who knows their way around.
Nearby hikes like Wilcox Pass (5 miles roundtrip) allow visitors to explore the Columbia Icefield from a superb vantage point. While on the trail, you get a direct view of the glacier capped valleys of the Columbia Icefield which feeds Athabasca and several nearby glaciers. Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep which are frequently spotted in these alpine landscapes.
Thrilled to be hiking in the Canadian Rockies with a fantastic view of glaciers!
Athabasca has retreated nearly 1.5 km (4,900 feet) since it was discovered in 1898. Scientists predict the glacier will disappear in 100 years and be replaced by a turquoise blue lake similar to glacial lakes like Peyto in Banff National Park. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to the Canadian Rockies now for what will surely be the experience of a lifetime!
Happy Hiking!
~ Trupti