Athabasca Falls

Our last stop before arriving in Jasper was at the Athabasca Falls. The 23-metre Athabasca Falls is not very high by Canadian Rockies standards, but the volume of the river is what makes it one of the most powerful in the Rockies. At the falls, the water passes over a layer of hard quartzite. Over the years, the water has cut into the softer limestone beneath, carving intricate features, including potholes and a short canyon.

The Athabasca River is the largest river system in Jasper, with the enormous Columbia Icefields as its source. Recognized for its historical, natural and recreational values, the Athabasca was designated a Canadian heritage river in 1989.

Maralee