Destinations - Mt. Edith Cavell, Athabasca Falls and then to Sunwapta Falls. Total today - 60 miles ridden and a total of 4500 feet of climbing. Challenging day!
We were so happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds this morning yippee! The best news it accompanied us for most of the day, we just had about 30 minutes of rain during the mid part of the day and then it was gone. Overall a stellar ride with overwhelmingly beautiful scenery.
We started our day by heading up to Mt. Edith Cavell . We had 2750 feet of climbing in 17.5 miles, gotta say it was a bit tough. There were lots of switchbacks and up and up we went. As we climbed we were treated to more and more spectacular views of the glacier and snow covered mountains.
Mount Edith Cavell is a mountain located in the Athabasca River and Astoria River valleys of Jasper National Park, and the most prominent peak entirely within Alberta. It was named in 1916 for Edith Cavell, an English nurse executed by firing squad by the Germans during World War I for having helped Allied soldiers escape from occupied Belgium to the Netherlands, in violation of German military law.
We toured the Angel Glacier at the top of the mountain - breathtaking!
Then we descended the very same road we had come up - wow, lots of downhill twisties AND sunshine, what could be better! We actually were able to go faster on the downhills than the cars because of the switchbacks - FUN!
After a brief break we headed to Leech Lake (did not see one leech) and on the way stopped a few times for photos. We relaxed at the lake and enjoyed the picnic lunch provided by our guides.
After lunch we rode a few miles to Athabasca Falls viewpoint - totally worth the stop.
We then did the last part of our ride to Sunwapta Falls and our hotel. A long slog up along highway 93A - however the view was spectacular! We also stopped to see the mountain goats that were stopping traffic along the highway.
Why is it that the last part of the ride sometimes is the most difficult? We added headwind to the last few miles and I have to admit, I was beat by the time we arrived at the hotel. We had spent close to seven hours on the road, and I was pretty well toasted!
After dinner we walked about 3/4 mile down to Sunwapta falls. It was good to get out for a short walk. This water for these falls comes right down from the snowpack and thunders through the canyon with almost an overwhelming force.
Tomorrow the weather forecasts call for freezing temps at the Glacier Icefields, and we have been promised a mile and 1/2 climb that averages an elevation of 12% at the first half of our ride. Getting out all of my warm clothing and am hanging in there for yet another challenging and fun day.
2 comments:
Just settled into Truckee where it was 39 deg this morning. That sounds Ike nothing compared to your cold and wet days up north. Your pictures are spectacular! Keep it up and stay warm.
Nice work. This is a great ride. One of my favorites.
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