Banff-Nelson-Golden-Jasper
 

Hello everyone,
We're just planning out part of our itinerary for our second visit to the Rockies in early October and have a few queries - hope you can help!

After staying in Banff, we plan to check out early for the drive down to Nelson on Hwy 95. Given any

Sorry hit post too soon...

Given any sights we may want to see en route to Nelson (e.g. in Kootenay National Park), is this too ambitious a drive? Should we plan an overnight stop at Kimberley? (we'd rather start out early and go direct to Nelson but is that wise?)

We then wanted to spend 2 nights at Nelson, and include a visit to Kootenay Lake and Kaslo. Leaving early, the aim was then to do the drive to Golden in one day via Galena Bay ferry. We would then stay overnight in Golden before heading to Jasper for a couple of nights. Again, is this too ambitious? Do we need to stop between Nelson and Golden e.g. at Nakusp?

Thank you very much in advance

I wouldn't. But I don't mind driving all day. I see no real advantage in stopping. I am wondering why you are going to Nelson. The scenery is much better, and more more worth stopping for along the Icefields Parkway.

Kootenay Park has some interesting features, and I have taken several hikes there including the Stanley Glacier Basin. But, to trade it off against the Icefields Parkway is not my idea of a good trade.

If you are also omitting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to go to Nelson, I again think you are making a poor trade.

And to miss Takkakaw Falls in Yoho is not a good trade either. That plumed plunge is incredible.

Thanks bob_brown- useful to get your advice on the driving.

Agree with you with regards to the scenery along the Icefields Parkway and around Yoho. We covered this on our trip last year, but we are covering Banff to Jasper on this trip too, as we liked it so much last time. We'll also be staying in Golden.

Thanks for your help.

i drove from nelson to golden in one day and it was a pleasant day. actually stopped in nakusp for about an hour too to enjoy their hot springs.

The Slocan Valley is beautiful - there is a scenic driving route that takes you around the Valley- there is a webpage called the Silvery Slocan tour -
that would mean more driving of course
but it is beautiful.