Located at the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park, and reached by a short hike after riding the Banff Gondola, the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station has been a National Historic Site since 1982. It was originally constructed in 1956, along with 9 other sites across Canada to monitor cosmic rays, however this station was viewed as most important because of its elevation (7,490 feet). The Cosmic Ray Station ceased operation in 1978, and today is a great location to take in a view.
Located along the southern edge of Jasper National Park, the Columbia Icefield is visible while driving the Icefields Parkway. The Icefield feeds eight major glaciers, including the Athabasca Glacier which is the one that catches your eye as you reach the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.
I didn't take the Icefields tour as I was pressed for time, and was more than happy with what I'd already captured with my telephoto lens. The glaciers are massive and seeing the specks of people walking across them really played up the scale. While here, I did take the opportunity to explore the newly opened Glacier Skywalk.
