Trip to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper: advice?
We are planning a trip to Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper traveling from the Northwest USA. Looking for the best time to visit and places to stay. It also sounds like it would be best to get a an...
Forum Discussion
There's nothing wrong with leaving Jasper via BC5 (to Kamloops). It's a major highway, following a large river (Thompson) all the way.
Hwy 1 west from Lake Louise is a busier highway with a lot of divided (twined) sections, but it also climbs a major pass (Rogers). But 93 from Jasper to Lake Louise is slower. You would have seen its sights on the way north, but there's nothing wrong with seeing them again in the other direction.
If taking Hwy 5, consider a day or two in Wells Gray Prov. Park. But if taking Hwy 1, take time to see sights in Yoho and Glacier. There are a number of short day hikes along the highway west of Rogers Pass.
To complicate things I'd also recommend leaving (or entering) via Radium Hot Springs (BC93), or via Hwy 3 (Crowsnest), AB22, 40 and Kananaskis Country. Obviously you can't do all of these in one trip, but none are bad choices.
Hwy 1 west from Lake Louise is a busier highway with a lot of divided (twined) sections, but it also climbs a major pass (Rogers). But 93 from Jasper to Lake Louise is slower. You would have seen its sights on the way north, but there's nothing wrong with seeing them again in the other direction.
If taking Hwy 5, consider a day or two in Wells Gray Prov. Park. But if taking Hwy 1, take time to see sights in Yoho and Glacier. There are a number of short day hikes along the highway west of Rogers Pass.
To complicate things I'd also recommend leaving (or entering) via Radium Hot Springs (BC93), or via Hwy 3 (Crowsnest), AB22, 40 and Kananaskis Country. Obviously you can't do all of these in one trip, but none are bad choices.
