Banff-Jasper or US Glacier
 

I am single and travelling solo. I am looking at different group travel options for either Banff/Jasper/Yoho or Glacier (US). Walking/biking type trips. I can not decide where to go. I have never been to the Pacific NW and it all looks gorgeous.

Also, as for companies, I am looking at Backroads, but I don't need the fancy accomodations. Does anyone know of a good company that hauls your stuff from inn to inn while you hike the back woods. I am looking to stay in smaller, more B&B, inn type of places. The big fancy Relais & Chateaux lodges are not my style.

Thanks for any help.

I cannot comment on your second question about a :hauling company", but I have seen escorts for bike riders on the Icefields Parkway.

Of the two areas that you name, bear in midn that the distance from Banff to Jasper along the Icefields Parkway is over 100 miles. When you throw in Yoho, the total area is 4 or 5 times the size of Glacier, US.

If I had to pick one over the other, I would visit Yoho and the Icefields Parkway.

I admit freely that Glacier US is a very scenic park. I was there as recently as last summer. But, I have decided that the combined attractions of Yoho, Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, any one of a dozen off parkway excursions along the Banff to Jasper route make that a better alternative.

There are quite a few hostles along the Icefield Parkway. There are enough of them that I think someone could plan their own itinerary and be quite able to meet many other people of similar interests.

I am a little too old for the biking expeditions, but having seen many, many bikers along that route I know that people do it frequently, in organized groups, informal groups, and alone.

Thank you Bob. What I mean, glibly, by hauling company, was an organized tour operator with a sag wagon, etc that books your inn to inn travel and carries your luggage to your destination.
As a single female with no experience, I feel more comfortable using a tour company.

If you do a web search I think you can find several escorted tours. Canusa tours offers combination camping and motel excursions along the Icefields parkway. I think the prices for an all motel tour for about 7 days total are high. The camping ones seem a little more sensible, but for what you get, it is still high.
I wish you luck in finding a blend that you like.

Check out REI Adventures (www.rei.com). THey have a trip in the Banff, Lake Louise area and tend to be more reasonably priced than some others. I have done an Alaska trip with them that was very good.
IMO, Banff/Lake Louise area is easier to get around in than Glacier. Both are beautiful--I just prefer Banff/Lake Louise. If you stayed in the Lake Louise town, there are bunches of hikes I would feel very comfortable taking alon--trails are well-used and well-marked. My husband, who is very out-going, always finds some pretty young woman to talk to on these hikes--very safe as he is harmless and the boys and I are along anyway

Thanks Rachel and Bob. Someone else I spoke to yesterday highly recommended REI. We have the store here in Chicago, but it never occurred to me that they lead trips. I will check them out.

Have not been to Glacier(US), but Banff-Lake Louise is majestic. And nothing to worry if you are solo, join the Brewster day tours, brewster.ca,
No need to wait for groups, join any day trip if you like.