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Sunwapta Pass
Sunwapta Pass constitutes the northern half of the Icefields
Parkway between Saskatchewan River Crossing and Jasper. It is
slightly lower than its neighboring pass to the south, Bow
Pass. But Sunwapta Pass gives the impression of being higher
because of snow and ice, and their derivative - the glacier. The
dominant feature of the summit are true glaciers ( not just
icefields mistaken for glaciers ), extending their white, licking
tongues down towards the road. A ride across Sunwapta Pass is
described on this page, under
the heading "la promenade des glaciers - the Icefields
Parkway". There is also an additional small picture
page.
Approaches
From North. The initial approach from Jasper first offers a chance to rest up emotionally for the great landscape that lies ahead. Sure, there is the occasional waterfall hidden behind a parking lot of tourists. But the real road side scenery doesn't start until you get closer to the summit. From South. The ride from Saskatchewan Crossing to Big
Bend Curve does produce a net elevation gain over the rolling hills
between the towering mountains. But the real climb starts after the
curve. This is most curvy of the Icefield Parkway pass approaches, and
even it is pretty darn straight.
Tours Dayrides. A dayride from the Pinto Lake trailhead parking area on the south side to a convenient turn around point on the other side measured 75 miles and 4790 feet of elevation gain, using a Cateye 100A cycle computer. Extended Tours. The Icefields Parkway is where
vacationing cycle tourists converge in the summer on the American
continent. While even the Okonagan valley may be baking in 90 degree
temperatures, the Icefields Parkway remains cool, not to mention
scenic, oh how scenic.
back to a roster of bicycling passes 
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