4 nights plan for Banff-Jasper and around area. Few questions......
Jun 29th, 2014, 01:33 AM
#1
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4 nights plan for Banff-Jasper and around area. Few questions......
Hi,
I have been reading many threads and replies on different forums and trying to make a plan for 4 nights. Experts, please have a look and modify it with whatever you feel, will be best. I will be doing camping for 4 nights. I wish, it should not rain
. This trip is for last week of July, for a couple. We are not into long hiking, short one is ok. We are not into skiing.
Day-1 Reaching Calgary Airport at 1 and leave with rental car. I am not Gondola fan.
• I may reach Banff by 3 PM. What can I cover on this day till dark ?
• Will it be wise, if I stay at Lake Louise Campground instead of Banff CP (Tunnel Mountain), as it keep me close to other attractions of Yoho and towards Jasper ?
Day-2 Leaving to Yoho NP. Visit Bow Valley Parkway, Johnston Canyon, Takakkaw Falls. Back to base campground.
• I will have full day, how far should I go further on Trans Canada Hwy and backtrack ?
• Any other places to check out ?
Day-3 Pack tent and leave for Jasper. On the way along with all other attractions, Icefields Parkway, Icefields Parkway tour by Brewster, Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake. Overnight stay in Wapiti campgrounds.
• Am I missing some "not to miss" places in and around Jasper ?
Day-4 Packup tent and leave for Banff.
• Should I directly drive down or I can do some side trips ? Usually, do people devide places to cover while going to Jasper and places to cover while coming back ?
• Parker Ridge Trail is worth to give some time ?
• Is it ok, if I spend dat at Jasper (and other attraction) till 4 and then head back to Banff Campground ?
Day-5 Pack tent and leave campground. My flight is in evening at 7 PM.
• What places should I cover on this day, I have full day to explore ?
Please feel free to move places and day according to most feasible options. Another option, if Jasper needs more attention, should I spend Day-4 (night) also in Jasper and drive back directly from Jasper to Calgary airport, reach by 5 ?
There are so many lakes, so many beautiful places. It is getting hard for me to choose most feasible route and places to fit in my short trip. Please help me in placing best possible places.
Regards
I have been reading many threads and replies on different forums and trying to make a plan for 4 nights. Experts, please have a look and modify it with whatever you feel, will be best. I will be doing camping for 4 nights. I wish, it should not rain
. This trip is for last week of July, for a couple. We are not into long hiking, short one is ok. We are not into skiing.Day-1 Reaching Calgary Airport at 1 and leave with rental car. I am not Gondola fan.
• I may reach Banff by 3 PM. What can I cover on this day till dark ?
• Will it be wise, if I stay at Lake Louise Campground instead of Banff CP (Tunnel Mountain), as it keep me close to other attractions of Yoho and towards Jasper ?
Day-2 Leaving to Yoho NP. Visit Bow Valley Parkway, Johnston Canyon, Takakkaw Falls. Back to base campground.
• I will have full day, how far should I go further on Trans Canada Hwy and backtrack ?
• Any other places to check out ?
Day-3 Pack tent and leave for Jasper. On the way along with all other attractions, Icefields Parkway, Icefields Parkway tour by Brewster, Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake. Overnight stay in Wapiti campgrounds.
• Am I missing some "not to miss" places in and around Jasper ?
Day-4 Packup tent and leave for Banff.
• Should I directly drive down or I can do some side trips ? Usually, do people devide places to cover while going to Jasper and places to cover while coming back ?
• Parker Ridge Trail is worth to give some time ?
• Is it ok, if I spend dat at Jasper (and other attraction) till 4 and then head back to Banff Campground ?
Day-5 Pack tent and leave campground. My flight is in evening at 7 PM.
• What places should I cover on this day, I have full day to explore ?
Please feel free to move places and day according to most feasible options. Another option, if Jasper needs more attention, should I spend Day-4 (night) also in Jasper and drive back directly from Jasper to Calgary airport, reach by 5 ?
There are so many lakes, so many beautiful places. It is getting hard for me to choose most feasible route and places to fit in my short trip. Please help me in placing best possible places.
Regards
Jun 29th, 2014, 04:56 AM
#2
Other than easy hikes, what other interests. Photography? Wildlife viewing? etc.
Are you planning on camping? I've never done that so I don't know about camping reservations, etc.
On day of arrival. Not far from Banff Townsite is Lake Minnewanka Scenic Road and Johnston Canyon. Lake Minnewanka often has bighorn and ewes roadside.
In Yoho there might be 3 areas of interest. 1) Yoho Valley Road with Takakkaw Falls at the end. 2) The road going north just west of Field that ends at Emerald Lake. Short hike around the lake. 3) Wapta Falls (difficult to find the road going west as the sign only points on the eastbound side. Look back at every sign you pass.
In Jasper area make sure you go down Edith Cavell Road and hike the short (spectacular scenery) Trail of the Glaciers.
Also, Maligne Canyon.
Are you planning on camping? I've never done that so I don't know about camping reservations, etc.
On day of arrival. Not far from Banff Townsite is Lake Minnewanka Scenic Road and Johnston Canyon. Lake Minnewanka often has bighorn and ewes roadside.
In Yoho there might be 3 areas of interest. 1) Yoho Valley Road with Takakkaw Falls at the end. 2) The road going north just west of Field that ends at Emerald Lake. Short hike around the lake. 3) Wapta Falls (difficult to find the road going west as the sign only points on the eastbound side. Look back at every sign you pass.
In Jasper area make sure you go down Edith Cavell Road and hike the short (spectacular scenery) Trail of the Glaciers.
Also, Maligne Canyon.
Jun 29th, 2014, 05:04 AM
#3
Parker Ridge looks interesting.
I have a list of hikes of varying lengths between Lake Louise and Banff. I'm planning on hiking Trail of the Glaciers, Maligne Canyon and Old Fort Point the day I'm in jasper.
I'll make several stops along the way. Mistaya Canyon, Parker Ridge, Wilcox Pass (to first summit), Toe of the Glacier and maybe one other. What I can't do on the way up I'll do on the way down.
I hope to get to Bow Summit in the morning the day I go to Yoho. That will remove one stop on the way to Jasper.
The day we leave Jasper I plan on ending up at Calgary airport by 10 PM and give back the car. We're staying over at the Delta Hotel in the airport across the street from the terminal. Very early flight the next morning. Maybe even eat dinner in Banff then leave for Calgary. That day will be a long drive.
I have a list of hikes of varying lengths between Lake Louise and Banff. I'm planning on hiking Trail of the Glaciers, Maligne Canyon and Old Fort Point the day I'm in jasper.
I'll make several stops along the way. Mistaya Canyon, Parker Ridge, Wilcox Pass (to first summit), Toe of the Glacier and maybe one other. What I can't do on the way up I'll do on the way down.
I hope to get to Bow Summit in the morning the day I go to Yoho. That will remove one stop on the way to Jasper.
The day we leave Jasper I plan on ending up at Calgary airport by 10 PM and give back the car. We're staying over at the Delta Hotel in the airport across the street from the terminal. Very early flight the next morning. Maybe even eat dinner in Banff then leave for Calgary. That day will be a long drive.
Jun 29th, 2014, 05:48 AM
#4
Day 3 stay at the Jasper HI hostel about 3 miles from Jasper near the north end of the Icefield highway. http://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad...-Jasper.hostel
The first time I arrived there was in late October 2001. It was at about 3:30AM. The staff left me a flashlight and a map to my dorm bed. I would do this just for a shower even if the tent is not wet.
There is also a HI cabin near the head of the Maligne canyon.
If you have the rental car, I see no need to take a Brewster tour.
Wapiti is another name for elk. I have seen elk poop in a big grassy lawn in downtown Jasper within sight of the bank with the walk up ATM. There are several fenced "safety zones" where pedestrians can go if an elk approaches.
The Brewster counter is in the east half of the ViaRail train station in Jasper. You might want to go a few miles north of Jasper to see Patricia Lake.
The first time I arrived there was in late October 2001. It was at about 3:30AM. The staff left me a flashlight and a map to my dorm bed. I would do this just for a shower even if the tent is not wet.
There is also a HI cabin near the head of the Maligne canyon.
If you have the rental car, I see no need to take a Brewster tour.
Wapiti is another name for elk. I have seen elk poop in a big grassy lawn in downtown Jasper within sight of the bank with the walk up ATM. There are several fenced "safety zones" where pedestrians can go if an elk approaches.
The Brewster counter is in the east half of the ViaRail train station in Jasper. You might want to go a few miles north of Jasper to see Patricia Lake.
Jun 29th, 2014, 07:40 AM
#5
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Yes, my interests are photography, wildlife viewing, scenic drive/places.
Ok, I am good with Day-1 and Day-2. Can you please try to answer to questions on other, which I mentioned on day basis in initial port ?
And how about qeustion "should I spend Day-4 (night) also in Jasper and drive back directly from Jasper to Calgary airport, reach by 5 ?" If Jasper has more to offer, then I will cut down one day from Banff and add in Jasper.
Ok, I am good with Day-1 and Day-2. Can you please try to answer to questions on other, which I mentioned on day basis in initial port ?
And how about qeustion "should I spend Day-4 (night) also in Jasper and drive back directly from Jasper to Calgary airport, reach by 5 ?" If Jasper has more to offer, then I will cut down one day from Banff and add in Jasper.
Jun 29th, 2014, 03:34 PM
#6
It has been decades since I was to Lake Louise and Banff with my parents. It was lovely as I recall but the last 3 times I was in the area (since 2001) I arrived in Jasper on the ViaRail Canadian. I rent a car from a place within walking distance of the train station. Check the Brewster schedule to see if you can get back to Calgary on a bus for your flight out.
The airport that is closer to the route of the Canadian is in Edmonton.
The airport that is closer to the route of the Canadian is in Edmonton.
Jun 30th, 2014, 04:31 AM
#7
Just on the outskirts of Jasper: Path of the Glaciers down Edith Cavell Road. This parking lot fills up.
On Maligne Road Maligne Canyon.
Old Fort Point. Nice views and possible bighorn sheep.
Along the Icefields Parkway. Parker Ridge, Toe of the Glacier, Bow Summit.
Also along the Isefields Parkway. More roadside scenery than most parks. You may want to make numerous stops along the way. Tangle Falls, etc.
Also, along the Icefields Parkway we saw a black bear on the side of the road. That took almost a half hour of watching and photos.
In Banff on the way from Bow Falls (actually Bow Rapids) to Banff Ave we saw a big male deer walking along the road. He posed for pictures and stopped to eat grass for a while.
Along Lake Minnewanka Scenic Road. Bighorn and ewes. On Mt Norquay Rd possible deer, bighorn and black bears.
On Maligne Road Maligne Canyon.
Old Fort Point. Nice views and possible bighorn sheep.
Along the Icefields Parkway. Parker Ridge, Toe of the Glacier, Bow Summit.
Also along the Isefields Parkway. More roadside scenery than most parks. You may want to make numerous stops along the way. Tangle Falls, etc.
Also, along the Icefields Parkway we saw a black bear on the side of the road. That took almost a half hour of watching and photos.
In Banff on the way from Bow Falls (actually Bow Rapids) to Banff Ave we saw a big male deer walking along the road. He posed for pictures and stopped to eat grass for a while.
Along Lake Minnewanka Scenic Road. Bighorn and ewes. On Mt Norquay Rd possible deer, bighorn and black bears.
Jun 30th, 2014, 12:15 PM
#8
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With just 4 nights, you may want to spend the whole time in Lake Louise. There is enough to do in that area to keep you busy. You can still drive a lot of the Icefields Parkway with the advantage of choosing a sunny, clear day.
On Day 1: Drive to Banff, walk around, have something to eat, stop at the grocery store. Then head to the campground at Lake Louise, set up camp and then drive over to Lake Louise and if time walk the trail around the Lake.
On the first clear day, drive the Icefields Parkway. There is a nice driving tour online. If you can't find it, let me know and I will look up the link. The scenery is fantastic and as a photographer, you will be in heaven. You can turn around whenever you want.
On another day, head over to Moraine Lake. You will want to walk to the top of the rockpile for a beautiful vista over the Lake. There is an easy walk around the lake and also a nice walk to Lower Cathedral Lake. Good place for a picnic
You may also have time to drive out to Emerald Lake in Yoho. On the way, stop at the Spiral Tunnels. I think you can find out what times the train comes by. We like to eat lunch at Emerald
Lake Lodge. We stayed here once on a special rate. It was wonderful. Even if you don't eat lunch here, I do recommend their bumblebees pie.
On the drive back to Lake Louise you can stop at Takkakaw Falls.
If you have a rainy day, that is a good day to do Johnston Canyon and possibly head back to Banff. We like to go into Banff at least one night for dinner and to walk around the Banff Springs Hotel.
On Day 1: Drive to Banff, walk around, have something to eat, stop at the grocery store. Then head to the campground at Lake Louise, set up camp and then drive over to Lake Louise and if time walk the trail around the Lake.
On the first clear day, drive the Icefields Parkway. There is a nice driving tour online. If you can't find it, let me know and I will look up the link. The scenery is fantastic and as a photographer, you will be in heaven. You can turn around whenever you want.
On another day, head over to Moraine Lake. You will want to walk to the top of the rockpile for a beautiful vista over the Lake. There is an easy walk around the lake and also a nice walk to Lower Cathedral Lake. Good place for a picnic
You may also have time to drive out to Emerald Lake in Yoho. On the way, stop at the Spiral Tunnels. I think you can find out what times the train comes by. We like to eat lunch at Emerald
Lake Lodge. We stayed here once on a special rate. It was wonderful. Even if you don't eat lunch here, I do recommend their bumblebees pie.
On the drive back to Lake Louise you can stop at Takkakaw Falls.
If you have a rainy day, that is a good day to do Johnston Canyon and possibly head back to Banff. We like to go into Banff at least one night for dinner and to walk around the Banff Springs Hotel.
Jul 2nd, 2014, 09:28 PM
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I agree that it's wise to skip Jasper with this short a trip. Do one day driving half way up the Icefields.
Going to Bow Summit on the same day as Yoho makes no sense. Bow Summit is a good hour past Lake Louise, so you'd be going at least two hours out of your way to see it. And there's no point in going if you aren't going to hike/look around.
Going to Bow Summit on the same day as Yoho makes no sense. Bow Summit is a good hour past Lake Louise, so you'd be going at least two hours out of your way to see it. And there's no point in going if you aren't going to hike/look around.
