From Ice to Sun: 40

Monday August 12 Cycling Day 33

Columbia Icefields (Alb) to Mosquito Creek (Alb)

Distance: (Km). 102

Time: 5:16

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 19.4

Ascent: (m). 1104

Heart Rate: (beats / min). 110

Cumulative Distance: (km). 3635

Cumulative Ascent : (m). 31,133

Punctures so far : 0

I had been awake since shortly after 5am with those in the tent next to me packing up at that unearthly hour. (Breakfast at 7:30). It was raining at this time and I was figuring out how best to pack up in the rain. But it all stopped by the time my alarm went off at 6:30.

Very cold this morning as we rose, just 3 degrees and most gathered around the still blazing fire for breakfast and everyone had rain gear on, not a bare leg in sight.

Low clouds again as we set out but we hoped that they would burn off as yesterday. No such luck. The day got brighter for periods and we had rain also on and off, but not downpours just uncomfortable. Many times during the day peaks made brief appearances through those clouds.

Looking back.

By 2 km we crossed over Sunwapta Pass (2035 m) and started a long descent curving around a large left hand loop down to the level of the North Saskatchewan River. At one point on that loop I had a great view of the young river and the road ahead. The sun was still attempting to break through but failing and I had to add an extra layer to preserve body heat.

Our notes remarked that by 26 km we would pass the Weeping Wall on the left, a sheer rock face with waterfalls emerging and which freeze up in winter attracting ice-climbers. With the low cloud I missed this. I was losing hope for a clearance.

Start of climb 1.

Is that the top?

No, cycle on.

Before lunch we had climbed very little. We knew that climbing would come later on. Directly after lunch, once we crossed the North Saskatchewan River (which eventually ends up in the Atlantic) the first of two big climbs started. This one lasted for 5km with an average of 4% lifting us 200m. The usual false tops appeared but we’ve wised up to them by now.

Wildfowl Lake.

Once over the top I got a number of fine views especially down on Wildfowl Lake with its turquoise water from the glaciers.

I came across Nelson dealing with a puncture in his front wheel from a nasty piece of wire. Again I pulled in and assisted and offered to cycle with him for a while just in case. We did but I told him to cycle on after about 1 km. Passed him later on a climb.

Climb 2.

Second climb came at 75 km and lasted a full 6 km averaging at 5%. I kept up a steady 9 or 10 km/hr along this. This brought us to Bow Summit (2088m) the highest point along this beautiful Icefields Parkway.

Peyto Lake.

And here at the Summit was a turn to the right to a viewing point over Peyto Lake (not Tayto !). The viewing point was just a km cycle and another km walk along a steep trail. But the view was something else. Such colour!. The lake is fed from a glacier off to the left (see arrow) and a notice nearby explained the turquoise coloring of this and other glacier lakes. At this point I was at 2138 m ASL.

Back on the main road it was down all the way. Peaks on both sides appeared towering above. The camera wide- lens distorts this fact pushing the peaks backwards. Pity.

Bow Lake.

Some colors!

Is that turquoise or what?

And then another beautiful lake, Bow Lake with its supplying glacier hanging way above. And the colour from the water looks so pure and healthy.

Crowfoot Glacier feeding another lake.

I didn’t expect to see more glaciers again today but had a share towards the end of the day. The Columbia Icefield (high up, off to our right) feeds 8 major glaciers, ones that can be up to 350m thick.

And I came across a lake with a special name but pity it was so far off the road just on a walking trail. Otherwise it would have been worth a visit.

The last 10 km to camp was generally downhill although ther was still some rain about. I turned into Mosquito Creek Hostel and Campground. (And there are some of those little fellows here to greet us).

Mosquito Hostel (or Moosequito Hostel?)

Some cyclists are in the hostel (8 bed dorms) but I opted to camp in the campground just across the river.

My office and Bow Peak 2868m.

Behind one shoulder.

Behind the other.

Got my spot on Site 9, and isn’t it just beautiful. What a view from my desk as I write this blog. And massive peaks behind me on the left and on the right.