Canadian Rockies itinerary assistance
We are starting to plan our trip to the Canadian Rockies for next summer. But in sketching out a rough itinerary, we are not certain where to base. Areas that interest us are Peter Lougheed Prov. Par...
Forum Discussion
If your husband is a train buff, you have to go to Field, as suggested earlier, while you are camped at Lake Louise. Just over Kicking Horse Pass are the Spiral Tunnels of the Canadian Pacific transcontinental railway. The overlook has very informative Yoho National Park signs on the history, construction, and operation of the rail line and tunnels. While you are there, you will be able to video a train going in the east end of the tunnel on the high line above your viewpoint, then see the same train come out the west end of the lower tunnel many minutes later, heading in the same direction, but below your viewpoint! It's amazing!
Then you can resume your trip toward Field, the old turn-around point for the helper engines on the pass. However, turn off to the north before you get to the town and head up the valley to Takkakaw Falls (the highest waterfall in Canada) as suggested by Powder Pig. The waterfall is not only spectacular, but you can hike right up to its base.
Also, not to miss in Jasper, besides the exciting road up Mt. Edith Cavell and the gondola ride, are Athabaska Falls, Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake, and Pyramid Lake. Maligne Canyon is a narrow slot canyon, but in limestone instead of sandstone like the slot canyons of Utah, with numerous waterfalls. Be sure to hike down the canyon as far as you can from the visitor's center. That will get you away from the tour bus crowds that stay nearer the parking lot. In addition, the canyon widens slightly as you walk downstream and you will see numerous smaller waterfalls.
Pyramid Lake is located at the base of beautiful Pyramid Mountain north of Jasper. Both are worth lots of photos if you get up there early in the morning when the lake is still and the sun angle is low. The lake also has an interesting WWII history. It was the site of an experiment to build an "unsinkable" aircraft carrier made of ice and sawdust. The idea was another of Churchill's wild schemes, but was taken seriously enough that a scale model carrier was built and tested on Pyramid Lake. Who knew?
It's one of our favorite areas for wildlife photography too. Elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep can often be seen in the middle of, or right beside, some of the busiest roads in Jasper NP. An entire herd of elk often grazes right between the campsites in Whistler's campground. And, a few years before we bought our RV, we stayed at Becker's Resort south of Jasper and saw a cow moose along the river one fall evening. Other people have seen them around Maligne Lake, but we were not so fortunate.
So, have a great time--we always have!
Then you can resume your trip toward Field, the old turn-around point for the helper engines on the pass. However, turn off to the north before you get to the town and head up the valley to Takkakaw Falls (the highest waterfall in Canada) as suggested by Powder Pig. The waterfall is not only spectacular, but you can hike right up to its base.
Also, not to miss in Jasper, besides the exciting road up Mt. Edith Cavell and the gondola ride, are Athabaska Falls, Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake, and Pyramid Lake. Maligne Canyon is a narrow slot canyon, but in limestone instead of sandstone like the slot canyons of Utah, with numerous waterfalls. Be sure to hike down the canyon as far as you can from the visitor's center. That will get you away from the tour bus crowds that stay nearer the parking lot. In addition, the canyon widens slightly as you walk downstream and you will see numerous smaller waterfalls.
Pyramid Lake is located at the base of beautiful Pyramid Mountain north of Jasper. Both are worth lots of photos if you get up there early in the morning when the lake is still and the sun angle is low. The lake also has an interesting WWII history. It was the site of an experiment to build an "unsinkable" aircraft carrier made of ice and sawdust. The idea was another of Churchill's wild schemes, but was taken seriously enough that a scale model carrier was built and tested on Pyramid Lake. Who knew?
It's one of our favorite areas for wildlife photography too. Elk, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep can often be seen in the middle of, or right beside, some of the busiest roads in Jasper NP. An entire herd of elk often grazes right between the campsites in Whistler's campground. And, a few years before we bought our RV, we stayed at Becker's Resort south of Jasper and saw a cow moose along the river one fall evening. Other people have seen them around Maligne Lake, but we were not so fortunate.
So, have a great time--we always have!
