A Lake Hike; A Glacier Hike; Add in a Waterfall

I swear, I have not reached “beautiful scenery overload,” despite how much these images look quite alike. I think my problem is that I’m stuck like a skipping record, taking the same shots from the same angles.

But they’re all so lovely!

Five Lakes Hike

One morning we went on a loop trail that passes by five lakes, and it turns out each lake’s name is its number as you encounter it in the loop.

We started with Lake Five in order to be walking against the crowd by the time the morning progressed, plus I took several photos of each lake, so when I organized them all I ended up having no memory of which lake is which.

I do know that the lakes with pure glacial runoff are bright blue, whereas the green ones get that color from algae. (I’m sure you knew that, too.)

I love when the lakes contain all of the above.

Athabasca Falls

When we stayed in that parking lot on the Icefields parkway, we hiked up to see Athabasca Glacier. And here we’re camped right off of Athabasca River. So this morning we drove out for a view of Athabasca Falls to round out the threesome.

Lots of educational signs are along this short, paved walk letting us know about the geology and history. Too bad that by 9:00 am there were tour buses in the parking lot, so crowds of people in front of each sign and view.

‘Twas worth it, though. We did see a black bear foraging on the edge of the parking lot, until a couple of men decided to walk out to it, and then it split.

Cavell & Angel Glaciers

Again, we made this drive to short hikes because we needed a break from the big hikes (and because it was late enough in the morning that all the other good hikes would be too crowded).

We drove way up Cavell Mountain (I believe) and walked a short walk to see this glacial valley behind us and Angel Glacier across the way.

Notice the tracks south through the snow where ice has fallen.

And check out the pure blue snow to the top right, which is the toe of Angel Glacier. The green pond is Cavell Pond, with Cavell Glacier a little out of eyesight. Those stripes right above the pond must show snowfall each year, yes?

Just to prove that all my photos don’t look the same, here are algae-covered rocks with several wild flowers growing among them, near the glacier valley.

And for you Banjo lovers, she’s enjoying sunrise walks, noon walks, and evening walks along the Athabasca river each day.