It's getting down to the wire and I'm not nearly as prepared as I typically am for a vacation. This is the itinerary I ended up with:

May 19th arrive Calgary 2:01 PM, overnight Calgary
May 20,21 Best Western Pocatera Inn, Canmore
May 22, Aurum Lodge
May 23,24 Patricia Lake Bungalows, Jasper
May 25, 26 Spiral Tunnels Guesthouse, Field
May 27, 28 Shintangle Spring B&B, Waterton
May 29th fly home 2:48 PM

I've been pouring through posts and trip reports at the last minute taking notes of recommended sites, hikes and restaurants but it's hard to plan in any detail so early in the season. I know it's been a mild winter. By chance has anyone recently returned from Jasper, Banff, YoHo or Waterton that can report on conditions?

I've looked at the Parks Canada site and most of the trails are listed as "early season conditions". Some of those are open and some are closed so I'm not sure what early season conditions means. I assume my best bet will be to just go to the park office when we arrive and see what trails they recommend at the time.

Does anyone know trails that will positively still be closed this time of year? Also, I know bears are a problem later but I read some posts that said they come down in the spring? Do you think we'll run into closed trails or needing the min of 6 people because of bears?

Also someone posted to bring a drink bottle to the glacier so you can drink water runoff from it. Can you safely drink that water directly ro do you have to use some purifcation method first?

I appreciate all the help I've gotten here and I'll be sure to give a full report when I get back.

Marcia

Some of the hiking areas around Canmore have already been closed this spring due to bear activity in the area. It would be best to check with a Parks office or at a Visitor Information Center for details as to which areas are closed. Also, I wouldn't drink any untreated water from waterfalls or streams, even though it is tempting. Many people have come down with "Beaver Fever" in the past from drinking from mountain run-off.
Have a great trip and enjoy the scenery.

When you get to Spiral Tunnels, say hello to Carla for me. At at Shintangle, tell Craig and Oksana hello as well.

I know both places well and you picked two good ones.

You cannot miss Spiral Tunnels. It has a big rock sitting in the yard, unless somebody swiped it! (It weighs about 8 tons.)

Yep, you are there full early in the season. Trails are closed because they are sometimes still snow-covered or even icy.

There is an old saying about the Canadian Rockies: When it is spring time in the Rockies, stay away!

Why? Avalanche danger.

I expect the trails still closed are the ones at higher elevations where snow may still be present. We don't usually see widespread closures for bears. Parks Canada might just close a trail if a problem bear is around. The Elk are calving at this time of year so you need to be wary of them as they can be a bit aggressive around their young.

I think you are OK drinking water direct from a melting glacier. The Parks officials can confirm or deny this. The easist access to a glacier at this time of year would be at the Columbia Icefields on the Icefields Parkway.

Marcia,
You should be home now and I'm hoping that you'll post about your adventures in Canada. You're staying some of the places we are so I'm really interested.
Carol

Hi Carol,

Marcia provided a detailed trip report, including property reviews, here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34817067

Ah, thanks Judy. I didn't put the two together. Sometimes I misplace my brain.
I had already read, reread and even printed out part of that very good and detailed Trip Report!
We're still hunting for lodging in Jasper - so always looking for opinions.
Carol