Athabasca Falls

Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

About Athabasca Falls

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Athabasca Falls was memorable to us because it featured a pretty mountain backdrop.

The falls itself wasn’t particularly mindblowing, but it possessed enough power to carve out a bit of a gorge immediately downstream from where the Athabasca River made its tumble.

Icefields_Parkway_170_09182010 - Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls

The further downstream from the falls that we explored, the more the gorge became deeper, which illustrated how intense the cutting action was.

As for its dimensions, this waterfall was said to drop some 23m.

Experiencing the Athabasca Falls

We experienced Athabasca Falls by doing a very short walk along its extensive (and busy) walkways and bridges.

These paths skirted and spanned the gorge immediately downstream of the falls.

Meanwhile, these walks also afforded us views of the waterfalls’ brink from both of its sides as well as its front in addition to some of the interesting geology of the gorge itself.

Icefields_Parkway_106_09182010 - Broad look at the top of Athabasca Falls backed by an impressive mountain
Broad look at the top of Athabasca Falls backed by an impressive mountain

We didn’t do the walk that led further downstream deeper into the intriguing lower canyon.

However, when we were at the bridge spanning the gorge beneath Hwy 93A, we were able to see where the watercourse reached a calm area.

That was when Julie noted color of the water, which was that pronounced light blue that we normally associate with glacier-fed watercourses.

Indeed, that color impressed her much she felt it really added to the waterfall’s scenic allure.

A protruding rocky island in the middle of the Athabasca River at the brink of the river’s drop actually split up the Athabasca Falls.

Icefields_Parkway_176_09182010 - Looking downstream from Athabasca Falls into the deepening gorge cut forth by the Athabasca River
Looking downstream from Athabasca Falls into the deepening gorge cut forth by the Athabasca River

Thus, we were able to observe dual segments from the overlooks surrounding the falls.

Then, as we peered further downstream from these overlooks, we saw that shortly thereafter, the segments rejoined and thus retained its power and volume as it continued its cutting action into the gorge below.

Given all that turbulence, we were lucky to see a faint rainbow in the rising mist of one of the waterfall’s two segments.

To give you an idea of how much time to spend here, we took a total of 40 minutes to meader about the falls and take photos.

I’m sure that score will change depending on how the return visit would go.

Authorities

Athabasca Falls resides in Jasper National Park near Jasper in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is administered by Parks Canada. For information or inquiries as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: jasper, national park, alberta, canada, waterfall, icefields, canadian rockies, columbia, sunwapta



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

Canada Waterfalls October 20, 2013 2:17 am by Charles Kosina - Having just returned from an extensive photographic tour of British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, and Montana and Wyoming in USA, we have a large collection of spectacular waterfalls. Top of my list are the Takkakaw Falls in the Yoho National Park near Field, BC. These are glacier fed and are the second highest falls… ...Read More
Athabasca Falls November 5, 2012 4:53 pm by M. Richard Weiss - One stop among many in my tour of the Canadian Rockies ...Read More

Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.