The Canadian
Rockies, a trip to remember...
J
Our recent trip to the Canadian Rockies and Vancouver area was
a magnificent and colorful adventure, so I felt the need to document it.
Sam Har-Zahav
July 2003
After a 5 days visit to our
daughter in Chicago, we flew on June 30th to Calgary and rented a
car that we would later return in Vancouver. A full size car for 10 days including all insurances, 2
drivers and a full tank of petrol was USD 480. Calgary airport is very friendly and the cars are waiting
for you just a short walking distance from the rental car counters.
A 1:30 h easy drive from
Calgary airport west on Highway 1 takes you to the southern gate of Banff
National Park, which is the first park you will be visiting during your
adventure in the Canadian Rockies. The Canadian police seriously enforce the
law and any traffic violation such as speeding, running a red light or parking
violation might ruin your great holiday, so relax and take it easy. At the gate
you will be asked to state the total number of days you plan to stay in the
Canadian Rockies parks. The fee is about USD 10 a day. The pass you will get
will be inspected from time to time along your travel. I suggest staying in
Banff for 3 nights in order to avoid too many hotel checking-in’s.
During the summer the sun
sets after 10 PM so after checking in to your hotel you still have time to
start exploring this beautiful park.
Lake Minnewanka
Is about 10 KM north east of Banff. The lake is very nice and
we managed to catch gimps of elks, bighorn sheep and deer walking along the
small roads. Take the full loop to
Two Jack Lake (it is unique) and Johnson Lake as a place for a relaxing walk
along the lake bank.
The powerful Bow waterfalls are in the center of Banff and are best seen from the south bank
of the Bow River not far from the Banff Springs Hotel.
Walking along Banff Avenue in
the town center is a nice way to finish off the day.
Start with the Gondola cable car ride to
Sulphur Mountain. You will be at over 2,200 meter above sea level with a
beautiful view of Banff and the surrounding snow covered mountains. Don’t stop
there; take the extra walk along the wooden deck all the way to the historical
observation point. The 360-degree view is amazing. Many ground squirrels will
welcome you there.
Next is a short visit to the
Banff Spring Hotel and the Cave and Basin national historic site in Banff.
The Hoodoos trail is on the east side of Banff at the end of Tunnel Mountain
Road. It is a delightful 40 min altogether walk to see Bow River from a nice
viewpoint and to explore the strange natural pillars.
We leave Banff toward road
number 1, we cross it going east and up the mountain to Banff Mount Norquay. A nice road
up to the observation point looking over Banff. Park the car and walk along the
mountain terrace field. Nice view and many ground squirrels.
Johnson Canyon and its two
water falls. About 5 KM north of Banff
on road number 1 take a right to road 1A that will lead you to Johnson Canyon.
The 20 min drive on road 1A is one of the richest areas in terms of wildlife.
Drive and enjoy the scenery and watch for the Elks and the black bears. Most of
the walking along the canyon is on wooden platforms, which hang on the canyon
walls above the river. It takes about 15-20 min to reach the first water fall
but don’t be lazy and continue to the upper fall, about an additional 35-45
min. All together it is an experience of over 2 hours to see the two falls and
to return to your car.
On the way back to Banff,
time permitted, you can go back to Lake Minnewanka and take the boat tour to
Devil’s Gap as a relaxing way to finish your first full day in the Canadians
Rockies.
Walking in Banff town center
and visiting the food court in Cascade Plaza is a nice way to wrap up the day.
DAY 3
We start the day with a
beautiful visit to lake Louise. It is about a 50-min drive on road 1 or a little over an hour
using 1A, which is nicer. Walk along Lake Louise all the way to the Glacier. It
is a nice easy walk taking less than an hour return.
Moraine Lake is a 20-min drive from Lake Louise. The water there has a
beautiful turquoise color and 10 very high mountain peaks covered with year
around snow surround it. Walk alone the right bank of the lake for 15-20 min to
get a better look at the ten peaks.
Driving back to road 1 and
heading north will soon bring you to an intersection where you continue west on
road 1 to Field. We are leaving Banff national park and entering YOHO national park. First stop after about 10-min drive in
the park, on your right hand side, is the Spiral
Tunnel Viewpoints overlooking the tunnels
completed in 1909. These railway tunnels provide a safe grade for the trains
crossing Cathedral Mountain.
Continue 3 KM west on road 1,
which will bring you to a right turn leading to Takakkaw Falls, one of the
highest waterfalls in Canada. This beautiful 13 KM road has some tight turns.
Drive carefully. The falls are a short 10 min walk from the car parking.
Back to road 1 and few min
driving brings you the Fields. Stop at the tourist information and get some
info on the area.
Emerald Lake is a must in our Canadian Rockies tour. Right after Field turn
right and stop for few minutes to see the Natural
Bridge, a result of the waterpower Kicking Horse
River. Emerald Lake deserve a circle walk which
will take you about 2 hours. Start
from the left hand side, clockwise! You will discover some beautiful rain
forest there.
Wapa Falls are about a 20-min drive further west on road 1. If time permits
and you feel like walking in a rain forest style trail for about 80-90 min
return, you will encounter a very nice water fall. Once you reach the first
terrace looking at the fall, go down an additional 200 meters to the lower
observation point, which has a much better view angle of the fall. The entrance
to the trail is from the left side of road 1 but there is no left turn there.
Continue west for a suitable place to make a U turn.
Back to Banff for an
overnight stay.
DAY 4
Most of the visitors to the
Banff and Jasper parks leave their hotel in Banff or Lake Louise and spend the
next night in Jasper. I believe this is a bit hasty causing you to miss some
nice places to see and walk. I suggest spending one night in The Crossing
motel, about 80-Km north of Lake Louise, and to explore the area.
Also it is a good head start
for the Icefield Center and the Snocoach glacier tour, the day after.
Leaving north on road 1 we
will enter the famous Icefields Parkway #93. It is one of the most beautiful
scenic roads in the world. A 230-KM drive takes you all the way to Jasper, the
next town in the parks.
Drive and enjoy the scenery,
mainly the left (west) side. Each and every mountain is a picture by itself.
Crowfoot Glacier, our first
stop 35 KM from Lake Louise. Use your binoculars to explore the huge
glacier.
Peyto Lake is only 5 min drive and we reach the Bow Summit and the trailhead to the
lake. It is a short but steep walk to one of the most astonishing, turquoise
lake in the parks. On the left side, up the mountain, you can see the glacier
feeding the lake. Walk alone the short trails there and enjoy nature. You will
not see such a place once you leave the parks.
Mistaya Canyon is an additional 32-KM magnificent drive on Icefields Parkway.
More water, trees, rocks and the masterpiece made by the power of water.
Go and check into The
Crossing. Yes, it is still early but you deserve an easy afternoon. By now you
covered over 30 KM of walking during the last 3 days, and an easy walk or drive
around the area can charge your batteries for the next 3 days, you will need
it.
DAY 5
You are a 40 min drive from
your glacier adventure. In the Icefield Center buy a ticket to the Brewster Snow Coach tour.
It takes you in a 6X6 huge snocoach up to the Athabasca Glacier. Great
experience, take your winter coat with you. Temperatures there are below
freezing and may go down to –12° C even during the summer! There is small
museum in the Icefield Center to explain the Icefield history. During July and
August many tour buses visit the Glacier, so I recommend calling ahead of time
to book your tour. It will save you valuable time.
Telephones; 1-877-423-7433,
(403) 762-6735.
Sunwapta Falls are
a 40-min drive north. A nice number of wildlife can be seen along the way. The upper fall is next to the
car parking but take the extra hour to visit the lower fall. On the road to
Jasper all the way to the Athabasca Falls you
will have several parking lots to stop at and watch the lakes, mountains and
the Mountain Goats that are attracted to the mineral – rich soil.
Athabasca Falls are
only 30 KM south of Jasper. Coming from the south on Icefields Parkway, you
have to take road 93A to the left. Visit the falls and go all the way down to
the river. It is beautiful relaxing visit.
The trailhead to the Valley of the five lakes is located nine miles south of
Jasper on highway 93. It is a 90 min walk in the forest to 5 nice small lakes.
Many kinds of flowers can be seen alone the way. It is easy to moderate trail
but if you like walking in the woods, you will love it.
Jasper
is a nice place to have a hot dinner and to walk around the souvenir and coffee
shops but I strongly recommend spending the 2 nights here in one of the
bungalows and cabins style motels, located along side the beautiful lakes and
rivers around Jasper.
