{"id":53490,"date":"2024-05-01T08:10:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T14:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=53490"},"modified":"2024-05-12T23:45:20","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T05:45:20","slug":"a-canadian-rockies-waterfall-tour-on-the-long-drive-north-alberta-british-columbia-canada-7-25-23-7-26-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=53490","title":{"rendered":"A Canadian Rockies Waterfall Tour on the Long Drive North, Alberta & British Columbia, Canada (7-25-23 & 7-26-23)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 2 of Day 3 & Day 4 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

7-25-23, 4:35 PM, 52\u00baF, Wilcox campground, Jasper National Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>\u00a0– After closing the side door behind Lupe’s perch, SPHP walked around the RAV4 and hopped into the driver’s seat.<\/p>\n

Get all the water we need, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 We’re ready to roll, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

Wilcox Pass<\/strong><\/span><\/a> was awesome, SPHP!\u00a0 What’s next?<\/em><\/p>\n

Mainly the long drive N, Loop.\u00a0 Need to keep making tracks, if we want to spend as much time as possible in the Yukon & Alaska.\u00a0 You can look at the scenery or snooze on your pink blanket while I drive.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not that late.\u00a0 It’ll still be light out for a long time, SPHP.\u00a0 Aren’t we going to stop at some of the big Canadian Rockies waterfalls along the way like we usually do?\u00a0 Doesn’t take very long.\u00a0 Most of them are practically right along the highway.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fully intend to, Loopster.\u00a0 No sense in missing out on your traditional Canadian Rockies waterfall tour.\u00a0 In fact, we probably won’t go too much farther today.\u00a0 We’ll concentrate on making tracks tomorrow once we get past Rearguard Falls.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds good, SPHP, but I’ve got a request.\u00a0 After seeing Tangle Ridge<\/span><\/a><\/strong> again from up at Wilcox Pass, it reminded me of Tangle Falls.\u00a0 We usually don’t stop there.\u00a0 Can we this time?\u00a0 It isn’t much farther, is it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 We can stop at Tangle Falls.\u00a0 Think it’s only something like 9 km NW of the Icefields Centre.\u00a0 We’ll be there before you know it, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

7-25-23, 4:48 PM, Icefields Parkway No. 93, Tangle Falls pullout<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Careful, Loop!\u00a0 There’s a ton of traffic.\u00a0 I better leash you up.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tangle Falls was already partly in sight right across the highway, but to get a really decent look at it, Lupe would have to cross the road.\u00a0 Easily done with a little patience, although room was limited along the steep shoulder on the other side.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Tangle Falls<\/strong>, Jasper National Park. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorry, Loop.\u00a0 Not enough room here to get you in the picture.\u00a0 Want to hike up to the base of the lower falls, like we’ve done before?\u00a0 Can easily get you in there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you even have to ask, SPHP?\u00a0 Of course!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the base of Tangle Falls<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The lower falls<\/strong> and crystal clear pool below it. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe scrambled around on the rocks at the base of the lower falls amid a fine spray of cool water.\u00a0 Unfortunately, since Tangle Falls is actually a series of waterfalls instead of a single dramatic plunge, the middle and upper falls weren’t in view from the base of the lowest one.<\/p>\n

However, while the American Dingo watched, something happened that she’d never seen before here.<\/p>\n

Did you see that, SPHP?\u00a0 They found a way up!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure enough, L (NW) of the lower falls, 2 young people and a black lab had scrambled up to the next level, and were now out of sight.<\/p>\n

Let’s try that, too!\u00a0 C’mon, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Caution was required along a near vertical rock wall, but the trickiest part wasn’t all that tall.\u00a0 A route up with only momentary exposure did exist, and that was all there was to it.\u00a0 Entirely worth it, too!<\/p>\n

The upper Tangle Falls were undisputedly the best.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Upper Tangle Falls<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The full effect. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clearly this was it as far as being able to go any higher, but just getting to the base of the upper falls was awesome.\u00a0 Lupe hung around for a little while, enjoying the magnificence of the multiple cascading showers.<\/p>\n

So much for making tracks today, though!\u00a0 Upon returning to the RAV4 at the Tangle Falls pullout, 2 young women approached SPHP asking what direction Lupe was going?\u00a0 When SPHP said N, that was the wrong way.\u00a0 They’d done the entire Wilcox Pass trail clear down to Tangle Falls, and needed a ride back to the trailhead at the Wilcox campground.<\/p>\n

No worries!\u00a0 It wasn’t that far back.\u00a0 SPHP made room for them.\u00a0 Soon enough, the young ladies were giving Lupe a farewell pat.<\/p>\n

Deja vu all over again!\u00a0 Once again, the Carolina Dog headed N.\u00a0 This time the RAV4 went right on by Tangle Falls.<\/p>\n

7:25-23, 6:20 PM<\/em> – Even though skies were rather darkly overcast, SPHP had to wait for a parking spot to open up at Sunwapta Falls.\u00a0 Throngs of people were on the bridge with the best overall views, and many more were right down by the fence near the lip of the mighty roaring torrent.\u00a0 Lupe had to wait her turn to get to see anything at either place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sunwapta Falls<\/strong> from the pawbridge over the gorge. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the fence near the brink.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The upstream view.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sunwapta Falls is mighty impressive, SPHP, but I seem to recall a lower falls that isn’t nearly this crowded that we went to once.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s right, Loopster.\u00a0 We went and saw the lower falls during your first ever Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Only about an hour round trip.\u00a0 Shall we?\u00a0 It’s quite a waterfall, too, if I remember right.<\/em><\/p>\n

The American Dingo did want to see lower Sunwapta Falls again, but didn’t get very far before it started to rain.\u00a0 When persevering another 15 minutes didn’t help, SPHP was done.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Setting off on the trail to lower Sunwapta Falls<\/strong> before the rain set in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorry, Loop.\u00a0 Just raining harder.\u00a0 No telling how long it’ll last.\u00a0 We might as well call it before you’re completely soaked.<\/em><\/p>\n

7-25-23, 7:50 PM, Athabasca River<\/em> – Naturally, the rain ended when Lupe got back to the RAV4.\u00a0 Shucks!\u00a0 Getting to be about dinner time, anyway.\u00a0 Instead of another foray along the trail to lower Sunwapta Falls, SPHP had driven N to Lupe’s favorite picnic ground along the Athabasca River.<\/p>\n

How does chicken and dumplings sound, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m famished, SPHP.\u00a0 Heat ’em up!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Eagerly awaiting chicken and dumplings by the Athabasca River<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After dinner, Lupe looked for squirrels in the forest.\u00a0 Didn’t find any, but even merely searching was fun.\u00a0 SPHP threw a squeaker ball for her to chase until it rolled into a mud puddle.\u00a0 During occasional rain showers, SPHP worked on the trip journal in the RAV4 while Lupe snoozed or stared out the window.<\/p>\n

In late July, even in southern Canada, it stayed light a long time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Evening along the Athabasca River<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7-26-23, 8:45 AM, 53\u00baF, Athabasca River<\/em> – A dangerously daring squirrel had kept Lupe entertained for a couple of hours, and a last romp up and down the river bank was now about over.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A cloudy morning along the Athabasca River<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back at the picnic ground. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ready for some more Canadian Rockies waterfalls, Loopster?\u00a0 Say yes!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, you know I love this place, SPHP, but I suppose we need to hit the road.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, but not for long, Loop.\u00a0 Our next stop is only 6 or 7 miles N.<\/em><\/p>\n

7-26-23, 9:00 AM – <\/em>The parking lot was filling up fast when Lupe arrived at Athabasca Falls.\u00a0 Swarms of tourists were already milling around at the various viewpoints – another wait your turn situation.<\/p>\n

Combining the power of the Sunwapta and Athabasca Rivers, which merge only 2 or 3 miles downstream of Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls was an even mightier torrent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Athabasca River<\/strong> above the falls<\/strong> (far R). Mount Kerkeslin<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the brink. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mighty Athabasca Falls<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A closer look.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over countless eons, Athabasca Falls carved narrow chutes into the solid rock below the falls.\u00a0 A path down one abandoned chute led to views of both the gorge currently channeling the flow, and the region below it where the Athabasca River spreads out again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Athabasca Falls<\/strong> plunges into a narrow gorge. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The current course from above. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading down an abandoned chute.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A glimpse of the gorge currently in use. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Athabasca River<\/strong> where it spreads out again below the falls. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Athabasca Falls was it for Jasper National Park.\u00a0 Lupe would see two more big waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies today, but they were both on the Fraser River in British Columbia, and a bit of a drive now.\u00a0 After fueling up the RAV4 in Jasper, the American Dingo was free to snooze on her pink blanket while SPHP drove WNW through occasional drizzle on Yellowhead Hwy No. 16.<\/p>\n

7-26-23, 10:20 AM, 54\u00baF<\/em> – The mountains may have been hidden in the clouds, but that wasn’t going to prevent Lupe from enjoying the beauty of Overlander Falls in Mount Robson Provincial Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Only 10 minutes on a well-worn path through the forest with a few switchbacks near the end got the Carolina Dog down to a giant, swirling, blue-green pool just below the falls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Setting out on the Overlander Falls trail<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Overlander Falls<\/strong> in Mount Robson Provincial Park<\/strong>, British Columbia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overlander Falls wasn’t very tall, but the Fraser River was already an impressively powerful stream at this point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beautiful Overlander Falls<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7-26-23, 10:59 AM, 57\u00baF<\/em> – Rearguard Falls Provincial Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 Rearguard Falls wasn’t even as tall as Overlander Falls, almost just a big rapids, but was definitely worth the short hike on another easy path leading down to it.\u00a0 The trail ended at a series of boardwalk steps and platforms with railings.\u00a0 There had been a few people at Overlander Falls, but Lupe had Rearguard Falls all to herself this morning.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Signage up by the highway at the start of the Rearguard Falls trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rearguard Falls<\/strong> from the upper view deck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An unobstructed view.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading down to the lower decks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the lower deck<\/strong> right next to the falls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rearguard Falls<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An even closer view.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once Rearguard Falls was in the rearview mirror, this really did become a travel day.\u00a0 Stops were few and far between.\u00a0 The American Dingo got to spend a little time at the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Park in McBride, and also at a favorite rest area currently undergoing renovation along the Goat River, but that was about it until mid-afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Park<\/strong> next to the Fraser River in McBride<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the Goat River<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Beneath the Yellowhead Hwy No. 16 bridge over the Goat River<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shortly after passing the Ancient Forest<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, SPHP stopped for a hitchhiker who was trudging along carrying a heavy guitar case.\u00a0 Lupe met Asheim, who had finished a 3 month stint planting trees for a logging company.\u00a0 Asheim had been walking for 5 hours, and was deeply grateful for a lift to Prince George.<\/p>\n

7-26-23, 4:29 PM, 72\u00baF – <\/em>Turned out that Asheim’s ultimate destination was his native, spectacularly mountainous, land of Kashmir, a bit out of the way for the Carolina Dog and SPHP to completely accommodate.\u00a0 After dropping Asheim off in Prince George, SPHP fueled up the RAV4, then invested in fried chicken and OJ at Save on Foods.<\/p>\n

Lupe wasn’t keen on the OJ, but quite happy to munch away on some fried chicken as she hit the road again.<\/p>\n

The darkly overcast sky had finally brightened on the way into Prince George, and conditions kept improving during the long drive WNW on Yellowhead Hwy No. 16.\u00a0 Brief stops to sniff the air and stretch at the Culculz Lake and Dry Williams Lake rest areas were it for breaks.<\/p>\n

7-26-23, 8:44 PM<\/em> – Crossing the bridge over the Bulkley River, the sun was already near the horizon.\u00a0 A R turn after the bridge, and SPHP parked the RAV4.<\/p>\n

Sweet!\u00a0 Would have been better if we’d made it here a little sooner, but at least we’ve got 10 minutes before sunset.\u00a0 C’mon Loopster!<\/em><\/p>\n

Where are we, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Steelhead Park in Houston.\u00a0 Time to stop and sniff the roses, or whatever they planted this year!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at Steelhead Park<\/strong> shortly before sunset.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steelhead Park has been a favorite ever since Lupe’s first visit in 2016<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Back then the park had been at the height of its glory.\u00a0 The flowers on display were no longer quite as spectacular, and Lupe was disappointed to see that the fountain still hadn’t been repaired yet.\u00a0 Even so, Steelhead Park was still very beautiful, and this evening’s stroll through it was a perfect way to end the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the sadly still defunct Steelhead Park fountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Steelhead Park<\/strong> still boasts some gorgeous flowers<\/strong>, though!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pansies<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lilies<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starbursts<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All too soon, the sun was down and light was fading.<\/p>\n

Still a long way to the Yukon Territory and Alaska, but that was OK.\u00a0 The American Dingo had gotten far enough to be within striking distance of her next great adventure.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Steelhead Park<\/strong>, Houston, British Columbia, Canada (7-26-23)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adve<\/em>ntures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacations to Colorado, New Mexico, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 2 of Day 3 & Day 4 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska! 7-25-23, 4:35 PM, 52\u00baF, Wilcox campground, Jasper National Park\u00a0– After closing the side door behind Lupe’s perch, SPHP walked around the RAV4 and hopped into the driver’s seat. Get all the water we need, SPHP? … Continue reading A Canadian Rockies Waterfall Tour on the Long Drive North, Alberta & British Columbia, Canada (7-25-23 & 7-26-23)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1659],"tags":[1213,105,167,79,31,106,26,104,694,695,697,261,1211],"class_list":["post-53490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1659","tag-alberta","tag-american-dingo","tag-athabasca-falls","tag-british-columbia","tag-canadian-rockies","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-overlander-falls","tag-rearguard-falls","tag-steelhead-park","tag-sunwapta-falls","tag-tangle-falls"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG_1524-scaled.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=53490"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53490\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54109,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53490\/revisions\/54109"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/53474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=53490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=53490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=53490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}