BC and Alberta Road Trip - Chapter 5 - Icefields Parkway Hwy 93
Late September at Shackle Peak along the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada near Sunwapta Falls
This is the Fifth Chapter from our BC and Alberta Road Trip in the fall of 2025. In late September, early October we set out on a 2,250 Km (1,400 Miles) road trip with a main objective to experience the fall colors in BCs Coastal Mountains, interior, and the Alberta Rockies.
In an unconvential way for us, we will index this post by our mileage markers and share with you anything that comes to mind, from the mundane to the extraordinary.
BC and Alberta Fall Road Trip Map
Our trip was 2250 km (1400 miles) long, to and from Vancouver, via Whistler, Clinton, Valemount, Mt. Robson, Jasper, Banff, and Radium Hot Srpings
Jasper to Banff Road Trip
After having an amazing experience at the Jasper SkyTram, we jumped back in the car and headed south on Highway 93 along the Icefields Parkway.
Dare I say, this is one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in the world—at least from what we know and have seen. This is also a very popular tourist destination in its own right, with several worthwhile stops along the way.
We did this stretch in two chunks and stayed overnight in Sunwapta Falls. The weather left much to be desired: mostly overcast skies on the first day and quite rainy on the second, which meant fewer stops than planned.
We were stunned to see how far south of Jasper the forest fires of 2024 had burned—basically, all the way from Jasper to Athabasca Falls, which is more than 30 Km (19 miles). 358 structures were destroyed, covering over 32,700 hectares (over 327 square kilometers).
Athabasca Falls
963km
We enjoyed the stop at Athabasca Falls. Even though this is a touristy stop along the highway, you can easily find a spot to stand by yourself and take in the views. Access is easy from Highway 93, and walkways will lead to a close-up view of the falls.
989 Km
We stayed at the Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge. It was quaint in a nice way for roadside lodging, and the included breakfast was pretty decent as well.
990 Km
990 Sunwapta Falls is right there by our lodge, so we took a quick peek.
1092 Km
A quick stop for coffee and snacks at Saskatchewan Crossing.
1119 Km
I’ve been to Peyto Lake before and even hiked to the bottom of the Valley, which was a marvellous adventure. This time, we took the easy route and, along with hundreds of other admirers, we took in the viewpoint after a short walk along the paved trails.
The weather was dismal, so the Lake and the views were perhaps not as breathtaking as my first visit there 16 years earlier.
1139 Km
Crowfoot Glacier
1215 Km
Arrived at Johnston Canyon
The photos in this article are made using a Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2, Voigtänder Nokton 28mm f/1.5, and Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 OIS lenses. (links to my camera and lens reviews).
