Horseshoe Lake, Athabasca Falls, Goat Lick, Sunwapta Falls & Hwy 93A

On a hot summer’s day you will find the crisp, blue-green waters of Horseshoe Lake to your liking! Horseshoe Lake is just 25 kilometres south of Jasper on Highway 93 and is your first stop on thisleg of the journey which will take you to the breathtaking Sunwapta Falls.

Just a short walk in from the pull out on highway 93 you will find cliffs perfect for jumping into the deep clear waters of this beautiful horse shoe shaped lake.

If cliff jumping isn’t your cup of tea, scuba diving and fishing are popular here. The photographer in you will appreciate the stunning landscape around the lake. After you are done taking in Horseshoe Lake, begin heading south on highway 93 again – before you get to the Sunwapta Falls there are two must do stops. 

Take the time to take in the gorgeous and powerful Athabasca Falls. Athabasca Falls is fed by the head waters of the Columbia Ice fields some 70 KM to the south and the Athabasca River and is one of the most powerful and breath taking in the entire Rocky Mountains. The Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge where the walls have been smoothed by the sheer force of the rushing water over thousands of years and the sound, it hits your ears like thunder.

Restroom facilities, paved walking trail and picnic sites can be found here. As you continue your meander towards Sunwapta Falls, take some time out to see the Mountain Goats at Goat Lick (at KM 38 of the Icefield Parkway).   

These truly impressive creatures generally live on craggy mountain sides but are attracted to the calcium and sulphate rich lick on the side of the highway. 

Your final destination on this leg of the trip is the Sunwapta Falls and of course the Sunwapta Falls Resort.

The Athabasca Glacier is the head waters for this wild, wild river. The Sunwapta River abruptly changes course from northwest to southwest and the falls plunge in a huge, huge spray into a deep canyon.

If you follow the trail along the river and you will find a few more sets of waterfalls each as beautiful and breathtaking as the last. Another incredible part of this side trip in Jasper National Park is Highway 93 A, the old Jasper-Banff highway. This 25 KM loop offers other side trips, but if you stay on the old highway you will ride along Leech Lake. 

The road rises and meanders along providing stunning scenery. Black bear and other wildlife abound on this highway.

At kilometre 2.4 (1.5 mi.), you can take a side trip towards Marmot Basin Ski Area if you have time. The mountains, lakes, rivers, falls and the animals make for a most memorable experience. If you have never experienced these Jasper Day Rides, I urge you to eat, play and stay in Jasper and Jasper National Park. 

AB Travel News and GCDR - Discover Jasper by Motorcycle