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Smitty77's avatar
Smitty77
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014

Bypassing Jasper for Canada Glacier NP

Sad to say we're starting the Southward trek of our Retirement Victory Tour to Alaska. Sitting in Haines now, heading over to a day trip to Skagway, then driving to Whitehorse in Tuesday to make an appointment to have the Honda CRV's suspension inspected at Whitehorse Honda on Wednesday. (Hearing some sounds that are new, and a visual inspection by me found nothing. Figured get it looked over while we can, to be sure all is OK, or if not, repaired before proceeding.)

The DW and I have talked, and plan to spend 5-7 weeks in 2015 enjoying Jasper/Banf and related areas of South West BC. We figure this allows us more time to linger our way down Casier.

We'd like to visit Canada's Glacier National Park on the way South, before heading over West to our way down the coasts of Washington, Oregon and back to visit family in San Diego by the end of August.

Looking for suggestions on where to stay for 5-7 days around the Glacier NP area. Inside the park, no reservations so it is the luck of the draw on if we get a site. We're a 40' rig, and the park info states few then a dozen sites for larger rigs. Appreciate any thoughts, and TIA!

Best to all,
Smitty
  • fanrgs's avatar
    fanrgs
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    trigley wrote:
    Glacier National Park is very beautiful but unless you are avid hikers there is no way 5 to 7 days in Glacier equals 5 to 7 days in Jasper. There are some great day or more trips you could take out of Revelstoke but you are going a long way east to do so. I would think you would be better off to include this area in the 5 to 7 weeks you plan for next year.
    If you choose not to go that route the Fraser Canyon (#1) is a nice drive. That would leave you with the Okanagan, Shuswap, Rogers Pass & Kootenay areas for next year which combined with Banff, Jasper, Yoho & Kootenay National Parks and the Kananaskis would make an excellent 5 to 7 week trip.
    Agree completely. The distance and time from Lake Louise to Glacier and Revelstoke is pretty short and there is a lot to see along the way. The road over Kickinghorse Pass from Lake Louise is scenic and you should not miss the Spiral Tunnels Overlook (Canadian Pacific Rwy.) and Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park.

    We went to Alaska last year via the Okanagan Valley and would highly recommend that you travel back to San Diego through there this summer. A series of gorgeous glacial lakes fill the valley and the hillsides are covered with vineyards and orchards. Every kind of fruit and produce imaginable is available this time of year, wine tours can be found all along the route, and there is lots of good food to go with the great wines. The best lunch of our entire summer in NW North America was on the terrace of the Quail's Gate Winery in West Kelowna. The Okanagan reminds me of the Lake Como area of Italy (with better English) and is now on our "must return to" list.
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Jul 25, 2014
    Several years back I drove Revelstoke to Lake Louise in 1 day. The morning was spent on the drive up to Rogers Pass, taking time to hike a 3-4 short hikes along the highway. It was too early in the year (May) to camp in the park.
  • trigley's avatar
    trigley
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    Glacier National Park is very beautiful but unless you are avid hikers there is no way 5 to 7 days in Glacier equals 5 to 7 days in Jasper.
    There are some great day or more trips you could take out of Revelstoke but you are going a long way east to do so. I would think you would be better off to include this area in the 5 to 7 weeks you plan for next year.
    Why not spend your time in the Cariboo region taking day trips out of the towns such as Quesnel to Barkerville then cut west from Lilooet to Pemberton (#99), Whistler & Squamish. That is a very pretty area.
    You might want to get advise on this route for your 40 footer as there is a very steep curvy section, downhill for you. When I last went that way the road condition was excellent but that is several years ago
    If you choose not to go that route the Fraser Canyon (#1) is a nice drive.
    That would leave you with the Okanagan, Shuswap, Rogers Pass & Kootenay areas for next year which combined with Banff, Jasper, Yoho & Kootenay National Parks and the Kananaskis would make an excellent 5 to 7 week trip.

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