We are planning our honeymoon during July 2000. We will fly into Edmonton then drive around Jasper, Banff, Calgary and back to Edmonton. We have 2 weeks. Have any suggestions for absolutely must see places? We plan to stay 3 nights in Jasper and 3 in Banff. Any comments on Pyramid Lake Resort in Jasper or Douglas Fir Resort in Banff? Is the Crossing a decent place to stay over to break up the drive? Is it worth 2 nights? Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated! (We are outdoors people and are looking forward to being in the mountains. We live in Hawaii)

I stayed one night at the Crossing, but it was years ago -- 1987 to be exact. <BR>The room was ok, but small. As for two nights, that depends on how much hiking you want to do in that area. The Num Ti Jah lodge is along the way also. <BR>[email protected] <BR>www.num-ti-jah.com <BR>Prices at the Num-ti-Jah are higher than at the Crossing by a lot because it is a more luxurious facility. It is 25 miles north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway. <BR>I never stayed at the Num-Ti-Jah because of the expense -- I could pay it, but luxury was not my objective. <BR> <BR>I suggest you factor Yoho park into your route. Takkakaw Falls is beautiful. <BR>It is just over the line in BC from Lake Louise. <BR>Have a great trip; that area is one I have visited quite a few times over the last 13 years. I think yhou will enjoy it. Don't wait to make reservations because you are going at peak tourist season.

Bob- We do plan to do a lot of hiking but can you tell me if there are a lot of good hikes in the area? Or would it be easier for us to get to the hikes from Banff or Jasper? Thanks for the help. Your replies to other messages have been a tremendous help!

There are many good walks, long hikes, long, long hikes in the area. There are so many in fact that I don't know where to begin. <BR>My favorite of all places is Lake O'Hara in Yoho. But, Lake O'Hara is restricted. <BR>You must have a reservation to go there, which you can make 90 days in advance for a fee. Then you pay to ride the bus; about $10 US for 13 or so miles. <BR>But, it like a ticket to the movies! <BR>I suggest you get a copy of the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson. You can it at the Adventurous Traveller site on the web. <BR>I have a copy and it is invaluable in planning a trip to that area. <BR>In Jasper I like the walks at Mount Edith Cavell, Angel Glacier. <BR>Along the Parkway, there is/are the falls of Beauty Creek. (Unmarked). <BR>And the walk out to the falls from Num ti Jah lodge. (Public access) Then there is Parker Ridge for an overlook of the glaciers, and around Lake Louise there is the Plain of Six Glaciers. <BR>In Yoho, there is the Iceline Trail. <BR>It is one of my top favorites. But it is long. If you get the book you will be set to plan.

You will find many books at the Adventurous Traveler site. It is run by GORP. Yahoo will find it easily for you. The problem is that there are so many out there that it is difficult to select just one or two. But if had to pick just one, it would be either Lake McArthur from Lake O'Hara, or the Iceline Trail. <BR> <BR>Last year and a couple of times before that, we stayed at Twin Falls Chalet. <BR>We came in on the Iceline and from the Chalet we hiked the Whaleback trail and Waterfall Valley path (?). <BR>Twin Falls chalet is rustic, and a little pricey. But you don't have to pack a tent, and the food is great. <BR>(You get 3 meals.) But Fran Drummond, the owner, insists on 2 nights. And you can stay in luxury elsewhere for what she charges. You have to want to "get away", and visit the upper Yoho Valley area. We did, so we paid. <BR>Here is the book I mentioned. <BR>Canadian Rockies Trail Guide by: Patton and Robinson <BR>Order Number: #G2058 <BR>The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide is a comprehensive guidebook to the hiking trails of Banff Jasper Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton Lakes National Parks and the provincial parks of Mount Assiniboine and Mount Robson. Of the more than 3,400 kilometres of trail contained within these <BR>mountain parks, virtually every day hike and backpack of note is described in this volume - a total of nearly 250 individual trips. Accurate distance outlines are provided with each description and 25 maps illustrate each of the parks and their main hiking regions. The book contains over 100 photographs. <BR> <BR>Get me started on my favorite area in North America, outside of Yellowstone, and I can not be turned off. So be careful!! I might go on for two hours.

One more comment, and then I quit. <BR>My wife and I have taken 6 "honeymoon" trips to that area. So if you like the trails and the mountains, it is a great place. If you are very strong hikers you could do the Whaleback and the Iceline from the parking lot near Takkakaw Falls. I would be so tired that it would not be much fun. <BR>The problem with the Plain of Six Glaciers hike is that it can be crowded. It starts in front of Chateau Lake Louise and follows the north side of the lake for about 3 miles toward the glacier and the mountain wall that separates Lake Louise from Lake O'Hara. <BR>But the scenery is unmatched.

Bob-thanks for all the tips. I will definitely be checking out the book you mention! And you can go on for as long as you like mentioning ideas! It is great to hear from someone who has been there! When I asked my question about hikes, I wanted to know if there are enough hikes around "The Crossing" hotel for us to stay there 2 nights. Their web site says there are also biking trails and a lake nearby but don't say how far. Do you know? Would we stay busy for a second day there? Thanks in advance!

Hi Kim, I think the answer to your question is YES. When you get your copy of the trail guide by Patton and Robinson, look for the trail called Glacier Lake. The trail starts about one half mile north of the Crossing service center. I have not taken the walk myself, but the Robinson-Patton descripton make it sound ok. The hike would take you all day. About 12 miles south of the Crossing, is a trail to Chephren Lake. This walk is flat, but we did it once in the rain wearing ponchos. Of course we were drowned from the waist down! After that I got smart and spent the money for a Goretex rain outfit with pants and jacket. <BR>The trail to the Bow Glacier falls is not far from the Crossing either. It is a walk along the outwash plain of the glacier, then you go up a very steep incline, and finally get to the base of the falls. <BR>The Mount Sarbach trail and Mistaya canyon are also close to the Crossing. <BR>So if you take one of the longer hikes, you could stay at the Crossing, take a good walk for several hours, and return for dinner at the restaurant. As I recall the food was ok. <BR>But, again, get the Robinson-Patton book and you will have the key to a series of interesting hikes. <BR>My favorite unmarked hikes are two: <BR>The falls of Beauty Creek, also known as Stanley Falls to some, and Panther Falls, which are well hidden, yet very, very close to the Parkway. Most people pass right on by and never see them, yet they are a foaming, roaring sight that covers you with spray. (Rain suit needed!) Panther Falls are reached from a poorly marked trail at the low end of the parking lot on Sunwapta Pass, north of the Crossing. It is a short trail, so it is worth perhaps an hour or less. <BR>Beauty Creek Falls requires about a 2 mile trip, but it can be extendedwith a little bush whacking up creek.

I worked as a Lake Louise Ski Representative at the Douglas Fir Resort in Banff...The hotel is divided into regular hotel rooms and small chalets... I would suggest trying to obtain one of the individual chalets. They are very nice and secluded tucked back in the forest of Tunnel Mountain. Small hikes and long walks will be available right outside your door. <BR>These are the most secluded rooms in Banff and as a result you will see a large variety of wildlife outside your window. The Douglas Fir is located a little farther away from downtown then other hotels as it is found midway up tunnel mountain however, it is any easy fifteen-twenty minute walk from downtown in the summer. Be sure to try the dining room at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge right across the street from the Douglas Fir, it is one of the best dining rooms in Banff. I lived in Banff for two years and I know Calgary, Lake Louise and Jasper very well.... if you have any specific questions let me know... P.S. I was lucky to visit Maui last year....Brad