Old Right of Way

While we were out at Nordegg, Jon and I went for a hike on the old Right of Way of the Icefields Parkway.  This area is in the northern end of Banff National Park, near the Big Bend.  I had hiked this area about a year ago, but this was the first time for Jon.  Shortly after coming off of the Saskatchewan Glacier, the North Saskatchewan River disappears into a cleft in the rock.  The old right of way of the Icefields Parkway branches off from the new highway at this point.  There is an old concrete bridge, dated 1938, right near the spot where the river disappears.  We followed the old right of way for about half a mile or so and then came upon a second bridge, dated 1939.  It is at this point that the North Saskatchewan River exits that cleft in the rock.  A short distance further is a third bridge, also dated 1939.  This one spans Nigel Creek, which joins the North Saskatchewan a short distance downstream.  The current steel arch span of the new highway can be seen above the old bridge.

There were lots of yellow flowered avens in seed all over the roadway and in addition to photographing the old bridges, we also did some shots of these.  It was an enjoyable walk on a comfortable fall day.