OnlyMeOirish

Hi,
I am new to the Canada forum and have literally JUST started to consider a trip to Canada this summer and I'm afraid I'm CLUELESS where to start.

We have been to Alaska before but only on a cruise which took in Vancouver (which we LOVED), Skagway (did Glacier Point Wilderness Safari - Awesome!), Juneau (did whale watching-missed Orca but saw Humpbacks and did Glacier Helicopter Landing) and Ketchikan. We missed seeing Bears as we went too late in the season (September). Our priorities are wildlife viewing - Bears and Wolves (if possible) and possibly?? seeing the Rockies. We don't really want to drive (DH drives for a living at home) and are not into roughing it (eg camping) but don't need complete luxury either (although it is nice sometimes ).
I suppose what I'm asking is very broad BUT .... where should we aim to visit ie where are the best wildlife oportunities at that time of year? What am I missing and any suggestions for an itinerary? What about modes of transport?
One more thing, we're hoping that there will be 2.5 persons on this trip - not sure if this will have an affect on our itinerary.

Thanks in advance for any advice - all help is MUCH appreciated as I realise we're VERY late planning this trip.

Imelda

Judy_in_Calgary

Wildlife viewing in the Canadian Rockies is a hit and miss affair. Sometimes you get lucky, and often you don't.

Another thing. Did I read correctly that you're going to be travelling with half a person? I've never heard of that!

I'm in a rush, but there is a link to a Summer Trip Planning website on the home page of my own website:

http://groups.msn.com/CalgaryandCana...kiesTravelTips

Got to run.

dina4

here's a funny story re: wildlife...

We spent several days in the canadian rockies and saw the all the signs EVERYWHERE about warnings regarding spotting bears, elk, etc. We were SO excited to see a bear or moose or even deer! The rangers warned us about not getting too close, and signs warned of traffic jams on the Icefield Parkway due to people stopping to gawk at bears. The kids were DYING to see SOMETHING! Well, despite the jaw-dropping scenery and a very memorable trip, we did not see ANY wildlife at all exept for those little squirrels that run around.

A week later, in L.A., we were driving to a friend's house and had 3 deer run across the road in front of our car.

We're considering another trip to BC this summer, and hopefully we will have better luck with wildlife viewing.

OnlyMeOirish

Hi June, thanks for the link. What I mean by .5 of a person is that we're hoping to start a family, thus I MIGHT be expecting during our trip .... should have spelled it out in my first post.

Dina, ... just typical!

Seriously though, if I didn't see any wildlife I would be SEVERELY dissapointed .... maybe we should think about going further North to Denali etc.?

Thanks,
Imelda

OnlyMeOirish

Oops, meant to add that we're not looking at the rockies exclusively, maybe only as a side trip - our MAIN focus would be wildlife - any recommended areas?

Thanks again,
Imelda

Judy_in_Calgary

I've never been to Alaska, but I've heard it's very good for wildlife viewing.

A Canadian location that is known for grizzly bear viewing is Knight Inlet. I've never been there either, but it's famous for that. It's on the British Columbia mainland, but you access it by boat from the northeastern part of Vancouver Island, from Telegraph Cove or Port McNeill, or somewhere like that.

Another beautiful place that is good for wildlife viewing is the Tofino / Ucluelet area on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Visiting all of these places by public transportation is less than ideal. Outside of the cities, public transportation coverage in Western Canada is nothing like as concentrated as it is in Europe. The reason for that is the relatively sparse population in Western Canada. Actually, come to think of it, that's probably why we have more wildlife than Europe does. Looking for a place that has lots of wildlife and lots of public transportation choices is an oxymoron. So, in my opinion, if you want a half decent trip, you should suck it up and drive.

Hope that helps.

Judy_in_Calgary

Also see dwooddon's trip report and the fabulous bear photos he took during his trip to Hyder, Alaska (just across the border from Stewart, British Columbia):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34855463

Following his visit to Hyder, dwooddon continued to the Canadian Rockies (Jasper, etc.), an area he had visited several times previously. But during his 2006 travels through the Canadian Rockies he had very poor luck with wildlife viewing.

Another point I'll make about the Canadian Rockies is that, while the bears are not as prolific as they apparently are in the Hyder, Alaska area, they are more plentiful (by Canadian Rockies standards) in Waterton Lakes National Park, in the southwestern corner of Alberta. That park is less busy with tourists, and the relative quiet results in more wildlife.

Hope that helps.

rm_mn

We saw oodles of wildlife in Banff and Jasper in June of 2005. We were warned to watch to not get too close to the elk as the cows had new calves.

Staying at a campground in Jasper my wife went for a walk and saw 3 cow elk nearby. Trying her best to keep her distance from them she nearly backed into one that had come up behind her.

dwooddon

Judy_in_Calgary: It has been a very long time since someone has used my name and the word "fabulous" in the same sentence. Thank you for the kind words. They are especially treasured coming from the expert in all things western Canadian.

Don

OnlyMeOirish

Hi all,
Thank you all VERY much for your help and advice. I am still digesting and trying to narrow down a little before I post more questions.

Thanks again,
Imelda

ShelliDawn

I always think its interesting how people want to come to Canada and see bears, since when I'm out hiking in the back country I'd really rather not encounter any.

I'm from Calgary and spend quite a bit of time in the Rockies hiking and skiing (cross-country). I've seen bears (only black, though some were brown coloured black bears). I've never seen any wolves or cougars, although I've heard wolf howling and in winter I've seen fresh cougar tracks on the ski trails. Deer, elk are fairly common, but as someone else mentioned, it can be hit and miss.

My suggestion would be Waterton National Park. That's where I've seen more bears than any other single place as well as numerous deer and other wildlife. And considering the potential .5 person, it's a good place for day hikes. You can do tent/trailer camping or stay in a hotel in the town. If you really want to spend some money, stay at the Prince of Wales hotel. Or do what I do and just have lunch there...

http://www.watertonpark.com/

rubyc

Waterton and Jasper area.

Sam_Salmon

If you want to see lots of wildlife then do a search on the <b>Muskwa Kechika</b> area.

Not easy of access and expensive because it's remote but if it's wildlife you want that's the place.

Also check out http://www.highandwild.com/ for another unique remote and wildlife rich area.

sobolik

There is one type of critter that also has planned a trip the same time as yours - Waterfowl! They fly to the Canadian Prairies by the millions with romance on the brain, well at least a little nesting. the Rockies are not far away either.

atravelynn

OnlyMeOrnish,

Since you mentioned Alaska, I'll take that route, only because I've had more wildlife experience there than in Canada. But I did see a lot of moose, elk, a black bear, goats, and marmots in Jasper and Banff, just like rm mn did. And the scenery!!!!

Denali would be a good choice, staying inside the park. I've seen one wolf (since you mentioned wolves) in about one week of time in Denali. It ran across the road in front of the school bus that takes you in. Other wildlife was good, including a few brown bears.

Hallo Bay Wilderness Camp would be another option. You can stay for a couple nights or weeks. In mid-July I saw 2 wolves in 9 days. One was photographable. We had extremely close encounters with red fox. Great eagle watching. And of course bears, bears, bears. The camp is located on the Katmai Penninsula and you fly there from Homer. Bears are around all summer and are not dependent on a salmon run.

I ended up responding to you by accident. I meant to hit the Asia forum and my finger slipped and I came to Canada. Kind of how you got to Burundi.

Best wishes for your .5!

atravelynn

Where did I get Ornish from? It's Oirish.