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The spectacular Crowfoot Glacier can be viewed from a lookout point on the world-famous Icefields Parkway about 36 km (22 mi) north of Lake Louise. It’s a great place to pull over and admire the vista. The glacier gets its name from its three spurs that resemble a crow’s foot. (The lower toe melted away by the 1940s.) It sits on the northeast side of Crowfoot Mountain, overlooking Bow Lake. The glacier's runoff feeds into Bow Lake and the Bow River, which flows from Banff National Park through Calgary to the Alberta prairies. If you want to make a day of it, hike the Helen Lake Trail. The 12 km (7 mi) trail offers great views of the Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. The trail is initially steep but levels off as it winds through alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers. It’s popular with runners, hikers and snowshoers.

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Lake Louise, Canada

Canadian Rockies

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Crowfoot Glacier.
The glacier gets its name from its original three-lobed, "crowfoot" shape, though one lobe has since melted.
Crowfoot Glacier.
It is visible from the Icefields Parkway, making it a popular roadside attraction.
Lake at Crowfoot Glacier.
Crowfoot Glacier feeds into Bow Lake, contributing to its turquoise waters.
Crowfoot Glacier.
Crowfoot Glacier is a hanging glacier, situated on the slope of Crowfoot Mountain.