When you pass by the Columbia Icefield on Highway 93, at first sight I didn’t think much of it. It was plainly put, a large chunk of ice! We stopped by the main centre (pictured below) and looked around, took some snaps and then went back on to Highway 93 to continue on our journey to Jasper.
It wasn’t until we passed by the icefields again on our way back to Banff, that we went a little further into the icefield and actually got closer to the ice. It was then that we realized how grand of a chunk of icefield was, and that’s what left a lasting impression. We didn’t take the tour to actually walk on the icefield, but we went a close as we were allowed to go by ourselves. It’s a simple walk around the foot of the icefield, but it gives you a great view of the entire area that is much more impressive to see than from far away.
If you look at the photo above, you’ll see the tour busses that go up the icefield, allowing you to get off and walk on the ice. We didn’t sign up for this, so I simply took a picture of it. You can get an idea of how large this field is in comparison to these tiny busses. Perhaps next time if we were to go one step further and go on these busses, it will change my impression of these icefields once again.
Until then, I will be in awe of this natural icefield from the photos that I took that day.