I really like what Judy did with the itinerary, it makes a very nice loop which avoids back tracking.

I wouldn't worry too much about the time of year, it may be chilly, but you will miss the crowds, and with an itinerary like Judy outlined, all of those areas are completely accessible in May.

The other possibility is, you mention you still have a chance to change your frequent flier plans. Any chance on flying into Vancouver and then out of Calgary, or vice versa?? This would allow you to get a taste of both, and see both friends, and not waste time back tracking.

Just a thought . . .

Bob and Judy,
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Lots of useful information here. First I guess I need to see if flights to Vancouver are still available. I do like the fact that it will be less crowded in late May and if this winter keeps on it's current course, we may just get lucky.

One more question. While looking up lodging in Jasper, some posts mentioned white water rafting on the Athabasca River next to Becker's Chalets. I ran across the rafting in Golden and did't realize there were other choices in the area. Any comments on the best river to do whitewater that time of year?

Marcia

Saltymuffin,
I'm not sure but I think I have to fly in and out of the same city unless I want to use extra miles. But I've already decided that would just be too much ground to cover in one trip to do either place justice. I know my friends through an email group. We "talk" everyday and meet up occasionally at seminars so while seeing them would be wonderful, it's not like this is the only chance we'll get.

You will have a great trip if you follow Judy's itinerary, and manage to see more than just the rockies. Adding Drumheller and the drive on the David Thompson Highway (on the 20th) are great additions to a traditional Rockies trip.

>>>>>>While looking up lodging in Jasper, some posts mentioned white water rafting on the Athabasca River next to Becker's Chalets. I ran across the rafting in Golden and did't realize there were other choices in the area. Any comments on the best river to do whitewater that time of year?<<<<<<

I have never been white water rafting, and I don't know if I ever will. I'm scared of riding roller coasters, travelling in boats if the sea is rough, etc.

However, some people love white water rafting. I once worked in an office with a woman who used to work in the city through the winters and was a rafting guide in Golden in the summers. I gathered from her that the training she received as a guide was very rigorous.

Anyway, exposure to a couple of travel discussion forums has taught me something about what's available in the Canadian Rockies, plus I've seen the rafts floating by.

The Kicking Horse River near Golden is more &quot;exciting&quot; than the Athabasca River and Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park. Well <b><i>I</i></b> probably wouldn't find it more exciting, but you know what I mean.

The Kicking Horse River offers Class IV rapids while the Athabasca and Sunwapta Rivers only offer Class III rapids.

But, although the Kicking Horse River has Class IV rapids, some sections of it have Class III rapids. Just because you're going to go on a rafting trip on the Kicking Horse River doesn't necessarily mean you'll get Class IV rapids. You need to research exactly what you'll be getting. There are even some trips, said to be suitable for children, that cover sections of the river that have Class II rapids.

I guess it depends what you want to get out of a rafting experience. Some people like the adrenalin that the more challenging rapids create. But I imagine there are stretches of the journey when those rafters really don't see the passing scenery because the water is splashing around them and they're in survival mode. But then I guess people who love the most demanding rapids don't do it for the sake of the scenery alone.

The gentler trips enable people to be relatively relaxed and enjoy the scenery.

Maybe I should try one of those Class II kiddie trips to build up my confidence.

About the time of year ...... The seasonal cycles are pretty much the same in the Golden and Jasper areas. The rivers are at their fullest during the spring melt (May - June). The water level tends to taper off as summer progresses, and it tends to reach a low ebb in the fall. You can expect the rivers to be very full when you're there.

Anyway, Marcia, while the above information is based on hearsay and observations and not on personal experience, I hope it gives you a general idea of what's available.

Yep Judy, that tell me what i want to know. Kicking Horse is the one I'd want. Their really rocking one isn't available until later in the summer but I definitely want the more active river. Most raft trips still have plenty of down time to enjoy the scenery. You should try one soome time. The family floats trips are pretty tame and it's relxing to float along and see things from a different vantage point.

I've got a flight to Vancouver on hold and an email out to my friend telling her what will still be closed that time of year to get her advice. I'm leaning toward sticking with Alberta.

Marcia

I booked the flight to Calgary so we're commited. WooHoo! I've decided that if we go to Royal Tyrell Museum, it will be on the day we fly out. My friend is going to be hiking with us some of the time and going there before the mountains will costs us a full day.

So...here's where I'm at now:
3 nights in Canmore, likely Lady MacDonald Country Inn. Cananaskis and Banff and surrounding area.

2 nights at Aurum Lodge. Columbia Ice fields and area around the lodge.

2 nights in Jasper. I'm looking at Patricia Lake Bunglaows, Becker's Chalets, Pine Bungalows or maybe even a home accomodations like Craystons or 105 Patricia St (haven't checked availability of those yet).
Jasper National Park, Mt Robson (is it accesible then?)

Last 3 nights in Lake Louise area.
I figured the sights we could cover
from each of these places overlap somewhat so if we can visit some of the more remote areas from each base, we could go back and try to pick up
anything we missed (due to bad weather or inadequate time) at the next
location or from fairly centrally located Lake Louise. Does that make
sense?

I like Baker Creek Chalets but I'm also waiting to hear back from Spiral Tunnels Guesthouse in Field. People have commented that it's not really near anything but we will be rafting in Golden one day and maybe returning to YoHo and then driving on to Revelstoke another day so that would be convenient while still being close to Lake Louise.

Any ideas how much longer it would take to go down to Radium Hot Springs from Field vs. down 93 from Baker Creek off the Bow Valley Parkway? We may spend the last night at my friend's so we can head out to Drumheller first thing in the morning.

I'm also wondering if 3 nights in Canmore is too much.

Thanks,
Marcia

mdod- I have no real knowledge of this area... but I was there for four days last month and I wanted to just address a few of your concerns.

I too, had such a short time to visit and had to make the decision to whether skip the area or to go ahead, knowing that Lake Moraine would be closed, we would not hike at all, Lake Louise would be frozen over etc...( We were there between Christmas and New Year's.)

We loved it. Your memories will based on your experience, whatever that is, so we just made the best of it! WOuld I loke to go back and someday see that beautiful green lake? You bet. If I don't, will I have &quot;never seen the Canadaian Rockies?&quot; No Way! (Yes, I am a &quot;the glass is half full&quot; kind of traveler!):)

Brewsters has many more options than just the sleigh ride... they have horseback rides that might be right for you. They were very professional and we didn't feel like we were on a tour persay. I think their website is brewsters.com or you can google brewster adventures and you'll find them.

We stayed in Canmore for four nights and loved it. Canmore is very relaxed and low key... we were traveling with three small kids and thir downton was just right for us. (Candy store, bookstore, casual restaurants etc..) Banff was much more expensive... almost like people expected it to be more expensive /upscale, so it was determined to be so. Does that make sense? While in Canmore... go to the Grizzly Paw at least one night! Also, at the Lady MacDonald, while we loved our room Retreat... if I were without children I would try the Three Sisters Room... the view from there are stunning.

Moneygirl,
Thanks for your comments. Your trip report is what got me interested in Lady MacDonald Inn. It sounded like we have similar taste in accomodations. Unfortunately, I believe every room EXCEPT Three Sisters is available when we will be there. But if I read your trip report correctly, all the rooms had good views except your room (which you knew about and chose for other reasons. Did I get that right?

Marcia

mdod,

Yes, I chose to be downstairs because I didn't want my small children to have the pleasure of &quot;needing&quot; to go up and down the stairs! I also liked the idea if having a little sitting area w/ TV and fireplace and the king bed was very comfortable plus, they've recently put a large jacuzzi tub in the bathroom which the kids enjoyed two of our four nights!

I am not clear which of the other rooms have views... is it clear from their website? From the brochure that I have I can't really tell and I certainly don't remember. I think I would want a larger room if possible... some of the rooms seemed quite small to me and if you are planning on spendin g any amount of time in your room it may be a concern. I would suggest you call or e mail Tammy and ask your specific questions... that's what I did.