Another question about Banff to Jasper
Hi all. I've gone back through the posts in this forum for a year gleening all the information I can. I have a 12 page word document with the advice I've cut and pasted, mostly from your answers t...
Forum Discussion
If you want to stay between Banff and Lake Louise the only campground accepting reservations is Johnston Canyon. That would be great but according to their website they suggest a maximum length of 27 feet. It will take you about 40 minutes to drive from Banff to Lake Louise turn off, without stopping. It will be longer on 1A which you will want to take at least once.
I prefer the Lake Louise area, the downside is the campground is adjacent to the Main transcontinental line of the Canadian Pacific Railway and it is busy. There are an abundance of hiking trails all over but again I like the ones in the Lake Louise area.
As far as day trips for your Jeep consider a drive down Highway 40 to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. There are some very nice hiking trails in that area. Highway 93 to Radium, and for sure a drive into Yoho, Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. There are also trails there.
You might consider a Burgess Shale Hike in Yoho. This is a fossil area, only guided tours, which must be booked well in advance.
The Morraine Lake area near Lake Louise is a must and the Larch Valley trail starting there is my favorite but you may need a group of 6. If you stay at Banff you might drive to the overflow camping east of Lake Louise and take the shuttle up. (Lake Louise & Morraine).
If you do stay a couple of nights at the Icefields you could take a drive on Highway 11 to Nordegg, a former coal mining town. There are also Helecopter tours of the Icefields.
The Jasper area is very nice, less busy than Banff and more open. Again many trails, often with much less elevation gains.
Drives, one day to Maligne Lake with a visit to Maligne Canyon, one day around Mount Edith Cavell with a possible trip up the cable car on Whistlers. Maybe 16 west to Mount Robson depending on which way you plan to leave.
Camping at Jasper may be an issue as Whistlers is closed and Wapiti is much smaller. I like Wabasso but again they suggest 27 feet.
I would suggest 6 nights Banff / Lake Louise, 1-2 in between and 3-4
Jasper.
I don't know if you will hear much from the Glacier but in the Morraine Lake, Larch valley you are pretty sure to hear avalanches.
Late June there is almost 19 hours daylight then it slowly recedes so you shouldn't need to be up in the dark.
If you would like some information on some of the drives or hiking trails let me know.
I prefer the Lake Louise area, the downside is the campground is adjacent to the Main transcontinental line of the Canadian Pacific Railway and it is busy. There are an abundance of hiking trails all over but again I like the ones in the Lake Louise area.
As far as day trips for your Jeep consider a drive down Highway 40 to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. There are some very nice hiking trails in that area. Highway 93 to Radium, and for sure a drive into Yoho, Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. There are also trails there.
You might consider a Burgess Shale Hike in Yoho. This is a fossil area, only guided tours, which must be booked well in advance.
The Morraine Lake area near Lake Louise is a must and the Larch Valley trail starting there is my favorite but you may need a group of 6. If you stay at Banff you might drive to the overflow camping east of Lake Louise and take the shuttle up. (Lake Louise & Morraine).
If you do stay a couple of nights at the Icefields you could take a drive on Highway 11 to Nordegg, a former coal mining town. There are also Helecopter tours of the Icefields.
The Jasper area is very nice, less busy than Banff and more open. Again many trails, often with much less elevation gains.
Drives, one day to Maligne Lake with a visit to Maligne Canyon, one day around Mount Edith Cavell with a possible trip up the cable car on Whistlers. Maybe 16 west to Mount Robson depending on which way you plan to leave.
Camping at Jasper may be an issue as Whistlers is closed and Wapiti is much smaller. I like Wabasso but again they suggest 27 feet.
I would suggest 6 nights Banff / Lake Louise, 1-2 in between and 3-4
Jasper.
I don't know if you will hear much from the Glacier but in the Morraine Lake, Larch valley you are pretty sure to hear avalanches.
Late June there is almost 19 hours daylight then it slowly recedes so you shouldn't need to be up in the dark.
If you would like some information on some of the drives or hiking trails let me know.
