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Waterfalls, Jasper, Banff, and Idaho


One could do an entire trip out here based just on looking at waterfalls. This geomorphology is so new, so raw that they are just everywhere. While writing this up, I find myself planning the next trip. Perhaps next May.

Many of you click on any photo to get a slide show and avoid all of my yammering. But not all browsers will put the videos in the slide show.  That's fine, but you may want to  scroll thru to see them.  They are mesmerizing. 




Johnson Falls
There is the Upper Falls (that I didn't make it to), the Lower Falls which was beautiful, but over populated with tourists, and this first one which was a lovely seepage falls along the path. Easy hike, under 2 miles. Not wheelchair accessible after the first 1/4 mile but that part is lovely if you have someone with wheels. 
More about this hike in my Slot Falls Post. 





Takakkaw Falls

Kay and I went with the group to Takakkaw Falls. For detailed info, click on the link. 

There are trails here for all levels of hikers. The trail, but not all of the side features, is wheelchair accessible. Well done signs, bridge, and Red Chairs. Toilets at the parking lot.

This is a spectacular waterfall.  Fed by the Daly Glacier, the main drop is 254 meters, for a total fall of 373m. You never see the glacier, but you know it is there just above the top of the waterfall.
It is almost impossible to take a bad photo here.
The mist is constant here. And it is quite breezy. If you don't want to get damp, bring a poncho or raincoat.
To get here requires a bit of effort, narrow twisty road. The benefit of this is that the tour busses can't get here. But leave your trailer or behemoth motor home elsewhere. The parking lot can get over full, so come early, or wait as so many people stop, look, then leave. 

This is the view from the Red Chairs.   These recycled plastic chairs are placed at the best view points. Many of them are at the far reaches of the trails. 
The Red Chairs started out as a promotional at just one of the Provencial Parks. They are now at over 100 parks.  
If I had known more about them before the trip, I would have photoed more of them. 

I could have just sat here all day, looking up at the falls. I did spend time with my feet in the river with the rocks brought down.







Marble Canyon

Here again are the photos of the waterfalls found up a slot canyon. 
The many bridges on this trail not only provide access, but also they protect the canyon from people that don't really understand how fragile the canyons are, and how very dangerous they can be. 














These two are very close to each other. They both are fed from the Athabaska Glacier.
Quite close to Hwy 93 they are popular.  Plan your trip early in the day to get a parking spot.
The other reason they are so popular is that they are drop dead gorgeous.  Yes there are two puns in the previous sentence. Explanation to follow.
Much of the path is available to wheelchairs, but not all of it.  It is a good path for those with limitations but that can do a few steps.







 

 
This log was perfectly balanced at the top of the falls. 









Sunwapta is further out. again, chair access for the first bit, the rest suitable for people that can handle a few steps, rocks and roots in the path.
Also, you may have company on the path. Use wildlife protocol when hiking here. 

The higher part of the falls is near the parking lot.  But follow the trail down to reach the best part of the falls.


There is a disturbing side to these falls. While the Parks has done a tremendous job of providing viewing points that are safe and protect the habitat, there are several memorials at both falls for those that thought that the rules were more for other people. These memorials were for young men, age 17-23. 

I can't leave this post on such a dark note, so here are two final videos of the Athabasca Falls, one from the top, one from the bottom.





Idaho
 
Towards the end of the trip I ended up in Idaho. Thousand Springs State Park and Hageman Wildlife area. I am already planning a trip to go visit falls, rocks, and hot springs on a future trip. This odd bleak area in Idaho has odd waterfalls that leak ground water out of the rock layers half way up the cliff. The only other place I have seen these was at Burney Falls. There is not a good place to stop and take a photo of the many falls, but well worth the drive through.







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