This isn’t the only place in the Canadian Rockies where you get to walk right up to a glacier, but it may be the most spectacular. You do not want to leave Mount Edith Cavell out of your itinerary if you are visiting Jasper. It is an hour and a half south of the town, the final section of it on windy mountain roads.I wish I could have reached there earlier, as the light was already too strong at 9 AM. This was on our way out of Jasper. We had to check out of Patricia Lake Bungalows and drive one and a half hours on the road leading to the trailhead, and then hike a mile or so. The turquoise color of Cavell Pond did not disappoint. One used to be able to go down to the water, but not anymore since the Ghost glacier (straight ahead) calved a few years ago flooding the entire trail. Angel glacier to the right, so called because of its spread wings, is receding, and will unfortunately lose its distinctive shape in the not too distant future.
Travel Tip: If you are short on time, visiting this must-see place can be done on your way into or out of Jasper if you are traveling the Icefields Parkway.
Photo Tip: Beautiful as it is, it is not easy to get good light falling on the rock face here for the average traveler stopping by here. It is hard to get here for sunrise if you are staying in Jasper. There is a hostel on the way which will give you a better shot but we are talking about the more hardcore traveler. Sun sets behind Angel glacier and you are not going to get good light on Cavell Pond even if you dared to stay until dark. Also, you are not allowed to go down to the pond anymore, which used to open up more compositional possibilities.