Day 216 – Waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, sheep and a lot of driving
Wells Gray Provincial Park is a huge tract of wilderness in the middle of BC. Aside from a few roads that penetrate a small way in from various directions, the road we drove up was the only substantial paved incursion into the park. I have a bit of a waterfall obsession that everyone kindly decided to share for the morning. Our first stop was Spahat Falls, where a narrow canyon emerges into a broad bowl creating quite a stunning effect.
Next stop, a bit further into the park was Dawson Falls. Quite different from Spahat Falls, here the broad river cascades over a wide drop in the river. Perhaps the most impressive feature of these falls was the rainbow shining through the spray.
The waterfall hat trick was completed by Helmcken Falls. Supposedly the most impressive of the park’s falls we all agreed that we preferred Dawson Falls. They were also an impressive sight nonetheless.
On the way back toward the main road Marg spotted some wildflowers by the road and we pulled over so she could get some practice with the macro mode on their new camera.
Our final stop in the park was Green Mountain Viewing Tower where we grabbed a few quick snaps before hitting the road toward Alberta.
Erin practicing to be a grid girl. [E: Because that beast made me look skinny ; p ]
Driving toward and then around the imposing Mount Robson, BC’s highest peak.
After a quick whizz around the town of Jasper we headed south toward Banff along the spectacular Icefields Parkway.
Some Bighorn Sheep kindly grazing within viewing distance of the road.
Athabasca Glacier as seen from the Columbia Icefield Centre.
Eventually the Icefields Parkway joins the Trans-Canadian Highway, which as it passes through the national park has regular animal bridges!
Early in the evening we finally reached Banff and checked into the luxurious accommodation that Marg and Jeff had kindly organised for the six of us. Aside from our three story apartment we also had views over the surrounding countryside from the balcony and access to some lovely hot pools. While Elliott and Kat cooked us dinner all that was left for us to do was relax.
Banff Hidden Ridge Resort.
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