Banff and Jasper

[RodLyle]

Got reservations at both.......posters were correct filled fast.

Spending 4-5 days in each. Have a general idea of what we want to do.

Any suggestions from past experiences in the parks would be great.

Correct me if I'am wrong, exploring the Lake Louise area from Banff

and the Icefields from Jasper?

thanks again

[TubaPete]

Crowe wrote:
Don't bother with the hot springs at Banff. Little more than a warm swimming pool.

Disagree. After a day of hiking, horseback riding or exploring that "warm swimming pool" feels mighty good!

To each his own. For me it was disappointing. By their own admission they supplement the spring water with regular tap water.

[profdant139]

If you have some time, check this out:

The first of several blog posts about that area -- lots of photos, too

[Pipeman]

Being a flat lander with many visits to Alberta as a kid with my parents or now as a senior citizen with a 2/3 month visit to Alberta every other year, I find that there is way too much to see,& not enough time to see it all, so we go where we find the sights much better in our opinion. Such as Waterton National Park with Cameron Lake or Red Rock Canyon. The boat ride down the lake and into Montana. Much better than Lake Louise, again in our opinion, and not nearly as many tourists to deal with. There you're right in the mountains. We dry camp with two of our kids and their families for up to 3 weeks in the mountains west of Rocky Mountain House. The drive there hauling the 5er up the Cowboy Highway is great and not a whole lot of traffic to deal with. It's in the foothills of the mountains. Jasper is nice also. Edith Cavell is a great place to see as well as the Ice fields. It's funny, driving the highway to Jasper. Like I said I've done that a bunch of times since I was a kid. I find the trees have grown up so much so that, again in my opinion, they actually block the scenery on the west side of the highway. Like I said, over the years we've had the privilege to see a lot of Alberta from the south to a bit north of Edmonton and from east to west also. The Rocky Mountains make you realize just how very small we are in this world of ours. Enjoy what you're able to see & do.

[rexlion]

I enjoyed seeing Emerald Lake as much as any other lake (including L. Louise). Most of the lakes around there look blue, but Emerald Lake looked green. And don't miss Takakkaw Falls.

[Crowe]

Don't bother with the hot springs at Banff. Little more than a warm swimming pool.

Disagree. After a day of hiking, horseback riding or exploring that "warm swimming pool" feels mighty good!

[TubaPete]

Don't bother with the hot springs at Banff. Little more than a warm swimming pool.

[romore]

From Lake Louise head west into Yoho National Park in B.C. The descent into the Yoho valley is quite spectacular, stop at the pullout for the spiral tunnel which is an impressive engineering feat. At the bottom of the hill, there is a beautiful campground. So much to see and do.

[FLY_4_FUN]

In jasper take the tram and hike to the summit. Also a day trip to patricia and pyramid lakes for lunch, rent a canoe etc. Athabasca falls, the hike around the valley of five lakes and the day trip up to maligne canyon. Bike the trails around old fort point and the Jasper park lodge. Take some time to visit the tourist info center in the middle of town...they have great maps to all the best places and can advise time/cost of many things. River rafting is also a lot of fun.

Daryll

[JANETRUPP]

Pack a picnic lunch and do a tour of the Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls.
Take the huge tour truck up and on the Columbia Glacier. Maligne Canyon and Lake are beautiful.
In Lake Louise, of course Lake Louise and take a hike to the tea house. Sit in the Chauteau and have lunch by the window overlooking the lake.
There is also Lake Moraine which is just as beautiful in my opinion.
Banff...shop shop shop. Plus Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Banff Gondola, Cave a basin is fun.
One thing we enjoyed and will probably do again this year is the Banff Cowboy cookout. They take you by covered wagon out for a cowboy dinner.
There really is so much to do.
My husband and I will usually pack a picnic and drive and tour or have lunch at a out of the way place with atmoshpere.
Also in Calgary is the Calgary Stampede. We have tickets for this also this year.
Have fun, Maybe we will see you there.
Janet

[BB_TX]

Between Banff and Lake Louise, drive hwy 1A. If you get lucky you might see some of these. We came upon a herd right beside the road with four bulls this size.

[Crowe]

Lake Louise is near Banff. The parkway can be explored from either. During our previous visit we dedicated a day each way between the two towns to explore the parkway. We'll be up there at the end of the summer and plan on doing the exploring on the way back down from Jasper as we'll have a bit of a time constraint when we land upon arrival.

[southernsky]

May be going there this spring, following post.

[icanon]

I'm planning a trip there in 2017 could you please tell me which CGs you reserved?

Thanks