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Athabasca Glaciers - Alberta, Canada
The place chosen for our day trip was the Athabasca Glaciers, one of the glaciers that form the Columbia Icefield, in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region.
We left Calgary early in the morning heading to the park. It is a 3-hour drive, and the last part is on the Icefields Parkway, where every turn is a pleasant surprise: views of turquoise lakes, trails, wildlife...
We bought the online tickets for the Columbia Icefield Adventure in advance. When we arrived, we took the shuttle to the starting point of the trip to the glacier.
The Ice Explorer took us to the leading edge of the glacier, and the tour guide gave us some information about the place.
In the 60's and 70's, the first Ice Explorer had capacity for 16 people. With the growth of tourism in the region, a new Ice Explorer was built, with capacity for 56 people.
Fun fact: Due to its good location and easy access, it is the most visited glacier in North America.
Each ice explorer costs around USD1,3MM. One tire alone costs around USD7k!
As the glacier moves, every season they must dig up the road on the edge of the glacier to have access. And with every visit, the scenery changes! Water flows and finds its way down to the river, modifying the landscape of the glacier.
Fun Fact 2: as the ice melts, the water and sediments that go down to the rivers, are the cause of the turquoise blue color of the lakes in the region. Another fun fact: this glacier is responsible for most of the water supply in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatoon.
Unfortunately, the glacier has been decreasing in size and capacity, and it is believed that in the next 100 years the regions will no longer be able to rely on the supply from the glacier.
Once the Ice Explorer dropped us off at the glacier point, it is possible to explore the designated areas for 20 minutes. One can expect the temperature to be about 15° Celsius (27° F) cooler on the glacier than at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.
On the way back, the shuttle took us to the famous Skywalk, a glass walkway overlooking the Sunwapta valley at a height of 280m.
The tourist center has a restaurant. We had lunch there before continuing our trip.
On the way back by the Icefield Parkway, we decided to stop at Peyto Lake. We already knew it, but it is worth visiting again: after the trail, we arrived at the platform and could see the water coming down from the mountains (coming from the glaciers) and forming a turquoise lake! Simply jaw-dropping!
One more hour on the road, we arrived at Takkakaw Falls, on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. The waterfall also receives water from the glaciers, and the trail to get there is very easy, pet and kids friendly. A great place, with a picnic area and a small infrastructure to spend the day by the river.
From there we drove to Emerald Lake, in the Yoko Valley, already in BC. There you can rent kayaks, stay at the lodge, and do some hiking around the lake. Another incredible place not to be missed by anyone exploring the region!
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Us3inCanada
Newcomer family to Canada
Glaciares de Athabasca - Alberta, Canadá
O local escolhido para o nosso passeio de um dia foi o Athabasca Glaciers, um dos glaciares que formam o Columbia Icefield, na região das Montanhas Rochosas canadianas.
Saímos de Calgary de manhã cedo em direção ao parque. São 3 horas de viagem, sendo que a última parte é feita pela Icefields Parkway, onde cada curva é uma agradável surpresa: vistas de lagos azul-turquesa, trilhos, vida selvagem...
Comprámos antecipadamente os bilhetes online para a Columbia Icefield Adventure. Quando chegámos, apanhámos o shuttle para o ponto de partida da viagem até ao glaciar.
O Ice Explorer levou-nos até à extremidade do glaciar e o guia turístico deu-nos algumas informações sobre o local.
Nas décadas de 60 e 70, o primeiro Ice Explorer tinha capacidade para 16 pessoas. Com o crescimento do turismo na região, foi construído um novo Ice Explorer, com capacidade para 56 pessoas. Curiosidade: Devido à sua boa localização e fácil acesso, é o glaciar mais visitado da América do Norte.
Cada Ice Explorer custa cerca de 1,3 milhões de dólares. Só um pneu custa cerca de 7 mil dólares!
Como o glaciar se desloca, em cada estação é necessário escavar a estrada à beira do glaciar para ter acesso. E a cada visita, o cenário muda! A água corre e desce até ao rio, modificando a paisagem do glaciar.
Curiosidade 2: à medida que o gelo derrete, a água e os sedimentos que descem para os rios, são a causa da cor azul turquesa dos lagos da região. Outro facto curioso: este glaciar é responsável pela maior parte do abastecimento de água das províncias de Alberta, British Columbia e Saskatoon.
Infelizmente, o glaciar tem vindo a diminuir de tamanho e capacidade, e acredita-se que nos próximos 100 anos as regiões deixarão de poder contar com o abastecimento do glaciar.
Uma vez que o Ice Explorer nos deixou no ponto do glaciar, é possível explorar as áreas designadas durante 20 minutos. É de esperar que a temperatura seja cerca de 15° Celsius (27° F) mais fresca no glaciar do que no Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.
No regresso, o vaivém levou-nos ao famoso Skywalk, um passadiço de vidro com vista para o vale de Sunwapta, a uma altura de 280 metros.
O centro turístico tem um restaurante. Almoçámos lá antes de continuar a nossa viagem.
No caminho de volta pela Icefield Parkway, decidimos parar no Peyto Lake. Já conhecíamos, mas vale a pena visitar de novo: depois da trilha, chegamos à plataforma e pudemos ver a água descendo das montanhas (vinda das geleiras) e formando um lago azul-turquesa! Simplesmente de cair o queixo!
Mais uma hora de estrada e chegamos a Takkakaw Falls, na fronteira de Alberta e British Columbia. A cachoeira também recebe água das geleiras, e a trilha para chegar até lá é bem fácil, aceita animais de estimação e crianças. Um ótimo lugar, com área para piquenique e uma pequena infraestrutura para passar o dia à beira do rio.
De lá seguimos para Emerald Lake, no Yoko Valley, já em BC. Lá é possível alugar caiaques, ficar no lodge, e fazer algumas caminhadas ao redor do lago. Mais um lugar incrível e imperdível para quem está explorando a região!
Deixe um comentário que ficarei feliz em responder.
Us3inCanada
Newcomer family to Canada
Obrigado por promover a comunidade Hive-BR em suas postagens.
Vamos seguir fortalecendo a Hive
tks
Que lugar lindo!!!
Vou visitar vai me levar la
!LUV
Sure!!!!
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Wow, really nice shots. How are you enjoying life in Canada so far?
Thank you! Yes, we have been living here for almost 2 years And we are super adapted.
Good for you!
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