katherinebw

We land in Calgary in early September and stay for 10 days. We will start at Moraine Lake Lodge (3 nights), Jasper (4 nights), and finish at Banff Springs (3 nights). I'm hoping you kind folks can help me organize our trip logically, i.e. in what order should we see things from point A to point B to point C. Here are my questions:
1. Is Johnston Canyon north or south of Lake Louise?
2. We will take all day on 9/6 to get from Moraine Lake to Jasper. What stops should we make going north from Moraine Lake to Jasper and how much time should we reasonably allow at each stop? One thing we will skip is the glacier bus tour.
3. What to see going south from Jasper to Banff Springs, again taking the better part of a day?
4. Would it be best to take a packed lunch on the Icefields Pkwy between Lake Louise and Jasper?
5. How difficult is the Plain of Six Glaciers hike?
6. Is Athabasca Glacier closer to Jasper or Lake Louise?
7. Has anyone gone horseback riding in Maligne Canyon (I think we could stand about 2 +/- hours).
8. Where is Beauty Creek in Jasper? Would you recommend it as a stop?

Thanks so much.
Kate

kgsneds

1) Johnston Canyon is south (more or less) from Lake Louise - it's between Banff and Lake Louise.

2) People seem to spend 6 - 8 hrs for the drive. Where you stop is up to you - there are lots of waterfalls, lakes, viewpoints. The big ones seem to be Bow Lake, Petyo Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Athabasca Glacier (even without the tour), Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls etc. There is a good map of the scenic places on the Parks Canada website:
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/jas...s/Parkway.aspx

3) It really depends on your interests, what you didn't see on the way north and the weather. If the weather isn't good when you're going to Jasper, then this would be your chance to really see stuff. If you hike, you may want to stop for hikes on one or both days.

4) That is always my suggestion - there are only 4 places with food between Lake Louise and Jasper. A couple have decent food, but the prices are high and they can be very crowded with bus tours. Better to have your own lunch so you can stop wherever is convenient and enjoy lunch with a view.

5) It's probably moderate, but it really depends on your fitness and comfort on rocky/a bit exposed trails. I think it's maybe 400m elevation gain over about 5km. For most it would probably be about 4 hrs round trip, though there are lots of connector trails so you can do lots of variations. The trail is pretty much flat until near the end of the lake, then starts upwards from there. Very pretty, striking views. The steepest part of the trail is probably the incline up from the lake, and then last stretch before the teahouse.

6) Closer to Jasper, but not by that much. People do day trips there from both Jasper and Lake Louise.

7) No, but it's probably not a place I would choose. If I were going to do a nose-to-trail trail ride, I'd want somewhere with better views. The canyon is nice, but really easy to explore on foot and I believe the bridle path stays high up so you don't really get to see the more interesting parts of the canyon.

8) I haven't done this area, but have heard great things about it. It's a short hike and north of the Athabasca Glacier towards Jasper.

katherinebw

Thank you so much, kgneds. I didn't have a comprehensive map that showed all of these places. I did get a book out of the library today that had a pretty good map, finally. The black and white maps in the tour guides were not helping me, which probably made me sound like a bonehead. I can't wait to get there.

katherinebw

And thank you also for the map. It gives me everything I need!

MollyBrown

You can't really go wrong with the above reply. All the trails will be great in September and the crowds will be low. We are experiencing some forest fire in Jasper and around maligne right now, but still be nice.
If you are looking for a great place to eat in Jasper try Evil Daves... Just yummy food.

Myer

And nobody has mentioned the most beautiful of all next to Moraine Lake.

About 5 miles south of the north entrance to Jasper Park (this is several miles below Jasper there's a road that leads to The Path of the Glacier Loop at Mt Edith Cavell.

If you Google it you can get detailed instruction.

It's about a 10 mile drive and at the end of the road is a large parking lot. My first time there we had to park on the side of the road as the parking lot was full.

Then you have A 2/3 mile hike along one side of the valley until you are opposite the most spectacular glacier - Angel Glacier.

Go to Google Images and look for Angel Glacier.

Go in the morning so the sun will be to your back when you face the glacier.

Just below the glacier is a waterfall with the run off from the glacier. Then you have the milky-white lake with the run off.

Truly a spectacular sight.

Hopefully this link will take you there.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...euQ&ajaxhist=0

kanunu

Lots of good ideas noted above. Be prepared for the possibility of snow hanging around for a few days, but it will melt when the inevitable warming occurs. It does punch up your photos, with the mountain tops bright white against the deep blue sky.
Angel Glacier is a good destination. I am partial to the Moraine Lake area, lots of good hikes, and spectacular viewing opportunities near there.
You might consider the Parker Ridge Trail, near the Icefields. Great views up there, that you can't see from the highway. I can't see taking that Glacier bus ride, to hear all about glaciation (for the 100th time in my life!)
And while you are out that way, go all the way to Maligne Lake - I've always enjoyed the boat ride, there.

Myer

Make sure that when at Moraine Lake you climb the Rock Pile and spend time at each viewpoint. Not only that, I would go at different times of the day.

If I had to select my favorite spots in the Banff Jasper area they would be (in no particular order) -

Johnston Canyon all the way to the 2nd waterfall
Mistaya Canyon
Moraine Lake top of the Rock Pile
Angel Glacier
Bow Lake lookout

We tried the Beauty Creek hike twice. On the way north towards Jasper and then on the way back.

Going north we saw several waterfalls but none that look spectacular. Then it started to thunder and rain so we cut that off.

Going south we started again and went a bit farther than the first time but we had other more important things to do and had to end up in Calgary.

katherinebw

Thank you both so very much for this great information. We have put Angel Glacier and Parker Ridge trail on the itinerary.
Kate

kgsneds

I would choose Wilcox Pass over Parker's Ridge if you have time for only one. Wilcox offers a number of excellent viewpoints over the Athabasca Glacier/Columbia Icefields. You can hike 45 minutes or so to the first viewpoint or continue as long as you like up into the alpine pass.

panecott

I think all the information you've been given is great. I would just add that no matter where you go along your route, it will be spectacular. Frankly, you just can't go wrong in the Canadian Rockies.

Good idea to skip the bus tour of Athabasca Glacier, however, a climb up to the glacier on your own is definitely worthwhile. It's directly across from the Visitors' Center.

I did a similar trip to yours last September, except I finished in Canmore rather than Banff. It was glorious.

Presumably you will visit Lake Louise from Moraine Lake. Try to get there early to beat the crowds and the buses. It makes all the difference.

katherinebw

Thanks again! Will include Wilcox Pass on the itinerary and assess as we go along. Panecott, your trip report was so helpful in planning our trip. We do plan to visit Lake Louise while at Moraine Lake and hope to get there by 7:30-8:00 a.m.

Myer

Something you should be aware of especially if photography is an interest.

The drive between Banff and Jasper (towns) could take a lot longer than you would expect.

This is because there is a lot of great roadside scenery there.

katherinebw

Thanks, Meyer. We do plan to take the entire day up and then back to Banff towards the end of our stay, because photography is an interest. BTW, we leave from Newark at 8:00 a.m. on a Thursday. I'm just checking the "processing time" and they are saying we should be there by 5:00 a.m. Three hours ahead of flight? We don't check bags... Have y'all arrived three hours ahead?

katherinebw

And, Meyer, I've very much enjoyed your trip reports, too. You must be a professional photographer?

panecott

katherine, you go thru' customs on the Canadian side so there will be a long line for that, then another line for security.

I can't imagine how busy it would be at 5 a.m., but better safe than sorry.

Glad my TR was helpful, and I look forward to reading yours when you get back.

katherinebw

Panecott, how early did you get to Calgary for your return flight?

Myer

Katherine,

Not a professional but a long time hobbyist.

Thanks.

panecott

katherine, I honestly don't remember.

I had an afternoon flight and drove from Canmore and I know I gave myself plenty of time. I'd guestimate I got there about 2 hours in advance.

kgsneds

Are you talking about needing 3 hrs leaving from Newark or leaving from Calgary?

Frankly, I find international departures from Newark to be a bit of nightmare. It might depend on your airline, but it always seems to be a zoo, with staff who aren't very helpful, poorly signed and you can get stuck behind someone who is having issues with the machine/passport/visa/language. I'd be inclined to leave extra time - once you get past security it's a nice terminal, so not a bad place to hang out.

Returning via Calgary, you will need to go through US immigrations/customs and security. So I would leave at least 2.5 hrs. First thing in the morning can be very busy as there are a number of flights leaving and security/immigrations aren't open 24-7.