Phase 4 of the trip began yesterday. Myself and Tom bid Paul farewell as he headed back to The Real World ™, then hit the road ourselves on our way to Jasper for a couple of days riding Marmot Basin.

The drive from Banff to Jasper goes through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park and runs right along the continental divide, so there’s mountains all around. It also passes the Columbia Icefield on the way, which gives the road its name. The information and tour centre was closed for winter, but you could still see some glaciers from the road. You’re supposed to be able to walk right up to one of the glaciers, but snow obliterated the trail, it was bloody freezing and there was no-one around, so I settled for taking pictures from the road. The scenery is spectacular along the whole 220km route, so while Tom drove I took loads of photos ;-)

[Photos]