saskatchewan glacier trail

Trailhead: Highway 93 North, 40 km north of Saskatchewan Crossing or 9 km south of the Icefield Centre. The water from the glacier feeds the North Saskatchewan River. At the end of the trail, views allow you to see Saskatchewan Glacier, which is a massive 9 kilometres in length that feeds into the North Saskatchewan River. Once you continue on the Banff to Jasper drive, keep an eye out for Parker Ridge. When you reach the ridge you will be blown away by the views over the impressive Saskatchewan Glacier and the beautiful bright blue lake- seriously it doesn’t get much better! Like the more famous Athabasca Glacier, which is across the mountains to the north, the Saskatchewan Glacier spawns an important river. Or continue on a trail that parallels the North Saskatchewan River … Help maintain this fragile alpine ecosystem by staying on the trail. Saskatchewan Glacier July 12 Participants: Sandy, Trent, Don, Caroline, Tamara, Zen, Sasha, Terry This trip was supposed to be the first of two hikes on the weekend. There’s a hotel and restaurant at the Icefield Centre. However, given that a forest fire was burning around Saskatchewan Crossing, it made it difficult to plan. There are a couple of options once you reach the saddle. It’s possible to continue along the trail across a scree-covered slope until it fades into a goat trail. The hiking is easy now and the views of the Saskatchewan Glacier are nothing short of magnificent. Parker Ridge is a 2-hour drive from Banff and a 2-hour drive from Jasper.It’s best to complete this hike when you are already camping in Jasper or driving the Icefields Parkway. This hike is easy for families. This 2.7 Km hike (5.4km roundtrip) leads you to a viewpoint of the Saskatchewan Glacier. If you head here for the day consider combining the hike with Wapta Ridge or a visit to the Athabasca Glacier nearby. ; The closest gas station is at the Saskatchewan River Crossing. Note: Due to trail refurbishments, Bow Summit and Peyto Lake are closed until Summer 2021. From the ridge crest, the trail continues for another kilometre, ending abruptly at a seemingly randomly chosen point on the ridge. Leave the highway noise after you’ve reached the top of the switchbacks and enter a world full of 3,000 metre peaks. While the right-hand trail takes you higher, the official Parker Ridge trail branches off to the left, taking you south along the ridge to the viewpoints for the Saskatchewan Glacier. It’s the perfect place to get out and stretch your legs. This trail holds a lot of snow, so either bring gaiters or be prepared to get your feet a little wet. Description: After a series of switchbacks you’ll be rewarded with dramatic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier – headwaters of the Saskatchewan River. Signs show how much the glacier has receded in recent years. One can imagine that in centuries gone by this Glacier covered much of the flats we walked through, but it has since receded. Hike to Siffleur Falls | Photo by Sarah Pittard. The trail then follows along the ridge for more views of the glacier and the valley. The second hike was supposed to be Glacier Lake, but the trail was closed. The Saskatchewan Glacier is just one visible part of the massive Columbia Icefield. (Note that it’s closed in winter.) Stellar views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. Do nothing but sit and admire the views. And if you are lucky enough, the view point allows you to see Castleguard Mountain and an array of smaller peaks which is quite a beautiful spot to capture stunning sunset and sunrise photos. People are surprised how cold it can be at the glacier, even in summer. Saskatchewan Glacier from Parker's Ridge By ParleUsted at youtube I found that when I did this hike it brought me back in time as you start out near an old bridge from the original highway of the 1930's when the highway was first built, it made me think of what it might have been like back in those early years, when most travel was done by foot or by horseback. The scenic, moderately strenuous trail to Parker Ridge is located at the heart of the Icefields Parkway; halfway between Banff and Jasper. This is a vast sheet of ice. Parker Ridge, Banff – Saskatchewan Glacier at left. To see the ice up close without paying, follow the trail to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier. Saskatchewan Glacier Maria was too scared to walk along the path on the ridge so she found a spot to sit and wait with Tilly while Dad, Marcus and I continued to explore. 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