When the great Athabasca and Miette Glaciers retreated after the Ice Age, the valley was covered by a long, deep lake. The Jasper region is now dotted with lakes, remnants of this great lake that once filled the entire Athabasca River valley. The Valley of the Five Lakes hike passes some of these lakes. Because of the large number, most of them are nameless; these have been given numbers.
Both the Icefields Parkway and the five lakes are located at an altitude of about 1,100 m. However, they are separated by the small valley of the Wabasso Creek; this wetland runs parallel between two low mountain ridges. The five lakes have no connection to any watercourse and are fed by the annual precipitation. When the water level is high, the First Lake drains into the Athabasca River opposite of Wapiti Campground.