Descending to river flats around 11 km mark with initial crossing just ahead.  Hanging glacier of Mt. Alexandra still far down the valley

Alexandra River is one of most beautiful and desolate valleys on the Icefields.  Once official trail leading to Castleguard Meadows has been decommissioned and area has reverted back into wilderness.  Access is still reasonable due to volunteer effort that tries to keep trail as free of deadfall as possible.  Still bridges are long time gone making the trek challenging, and depending on water level sometimes even not feasible.  Visit to Alexandra valley is much more natural as backpack for 2 reasons:

• Remote location in the heart of the Icefields
• Overall distance/access logistics make Terrace Creek only realistic day-trip effort. While still beautiful, ratio of effort vs reward is hard to justify specially as you are just teased with glimpse of wonders lying ahead

For visit beyond Terrace creek, timing is essential.  Ford of this creek is the crux of the journey and water level must be low.  In late spring it is often swollen from snow melt making the ford dangerous if not impossible.  Be ware that in the afternoon/early evenings creek will be harder to cross than in the morning and might leave you stranded!   For (very) fit hikers potential day trip objective could be Castleguard Ranger Cabin at confluence of Alexandra and Castleguard Rivers -- or even the lake at toe of Alexandra glacier.  This is very long day (48 km for the lake) and can not realistically be recommended.

Mountain bike is asset for 12km (one way) approach.  However it is far from cakewalk.  Most of the way it is bushy single-track requiring concentration and good biking skills.  Bush often flies in your face and your hands will get scratched without gloves or long sleeves.  Trail is rolling with several ups and downs, but there is more uphill on return -- bear this in mind as you will be more tired at the end of the day!  

1.  To Terrace Creek

(... other parts to follow ...)

Google Map

GPS Track

Park at pull-out at west side of Icefields Parkway some 26km north of Saskatchewan River Crossing.  This is not obvious - it will be soon after signed Coleman Day Use area.  Hidden from casual eyes rough road descends to Saskatchewan River about 20 meters north from this pullout. It is steep and narrow, but could be driven.  Distance is short so probably not worth the effort -- parking at Icefields pullout is recommended.  Cross the bridge and mount the bike.  Ride in consists of 2 parts: 

1.  Leg running parallel to the highway going south.  This leg is easier and ~6.5 km distance
2.  Leg running west from mouth of Alexandra valley. More bushy and narrow, generally trending downhill with several muddy spots

Around 11km mark trail descends to river level.  Soon you come to the spot where ever shifting river course has destroyed the trail and you must ford the outwash channel over to the flats.  This is the usual place to leave the bikes and continue on foot.  It is a mistake to ford the river immediately where trail has been cut-off.  Instead, find the good trail side-hilling for about 5 minutes.  It then descends back to river level, where there should be just a single very easy channel to cross -- barely requiring to take the shoes off!  Continue across the flats and pick-up the trail at far end - it leads in 10 minutes or so to Terrace Creek.  Do not try to cross at site of old bridge - instead descend 100 meters downstream where Terrace has braided into 2 channels, with shrubby island in the middle.  Near channel is easy, but far end is wider, deeper and much faster. This is the crux that determines how far you will go on your Alexandra trek.  Once again, bear in mind that snow-fed creeks are usually higher late in the day!  Primitive campground is just on the other side.

If you are turning back here (or camping, so have spare time) worthwhile side trip is exploration of very deep gorge of Terrace Creek, starting soon above the site of old bridge.  Do not waste time looking for alternate crossing here -- although at one spot it looks like you might even be able to jump across! ( Fall would most certainly kill you).  Indistinct, but reasonably well defined trail can be picked up higher up. It has sections with deadfall, but is generally easy to follow.  It rises steeply on right bank of Terrace creek, then higher up goes around several side canyons but always staying close to Terrace canyon. It is possible to reach hanging valley between Mt. Saskatchewan and Terrace Peak this way, thus presenting alternate approach for ascents of these 2 peaks -- or alternate exit if coming in from Castleguard Meadows.