Need assistance deciding between these 2 BC itineraries
May 11th, 2011, 07:08 AM
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Need assistance deciding between these 2 BC itineraries
We like the outdoors and "off-the-beaten-path" type of adventures, although many of the most beautiful places in the world are touristy, so we recognize that we wont' escape the big crowds. I've come up with 2 possible itineraries to BC. We're thinking late June or early July. Itinerary #1 involves flying into Vancouver, renting a car, then taking a couple of days driving to the Banff/Jasper region to spend 5 or 6 days hiking and sightseeing the various national parks, then possibly driving up to Prince George, stopping at parks along the way, hiking and maybe camping, then driving back down to Vancouver. My big question is, is it really worth the extra driving time from Vancouver to Banff area, or should we just skip that and try itinerary number 2. Itinerary #2 would be flying into Calgary, rent a car and do the 5-6 days of parks and hiking in the Banff/Jasper region, then take train to Prince Rupert, then the ferry/cruise from Prince Rupert back down to Vancouver. We have around 2 weeks for vacation, plus or minus a few days - we're flexible. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and comments. P.S. We've seen wine country in California, so that would not be a big draw for us; my husband would also like to do some fishing somewhere.
May 11th, 2011, 08:52 AM
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A few thoughts: Banff and Jasper offer some of the most spectacular mountain scenery anywhere. They're also very popular and busy. Jasper maybe a little less so than Banff.
If you want a little more off-the-beaten-path - you might consider Waterton Lakes National Park. We visited there years ago specifically for this reason - not that it was exactly "quiet" but was much less busy than Banff at the time. The scenery, although perhaps not quite the epitome of "dramatic" that Banff and Jasper are, is still spectacular and beautiful.
I have not visited Prince George or Prince Rupert - hopefully others can comment on these.
In the opposite direction from Vancouver, you might investigate Pacific Rim National Park and the Tofino area (west coast of Vancouver Island).
If you want a little more off-the-beaten-path - you might consider Waterton Lakes National Park. We visited there years ago specifically for this reason - not that it was exactly "quiet" but was much less busy than Banff at the time. The scenery, although perhaps not quite the epitome of "dramatic" that Banff and Jasper are, is still spectacular and beautiful.
I have not visited Prince George or Prince Rupert - hopefully others can comment on these.
In the opposite direction from Vancouver, you might investigate Pacific Rim National Park and the Tofino area (west coast of Vancouver Island).
May 11th, 2011, 11:10 AM
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Thank you so much for the suggestion on Waterton. I will definitely look into that. Banff looks beautiful in the pictures, but the thought of hordes of tourists and tour buses, etc., really scares me.
I hope others can comment on any off the beaten path possibilities, and Prince George, etc...thank you in advance.
I hope others can comment on any off the beaten path possibilities, and Prince George, etc...thank you in advance.
May 11th, 2011, 01:22 PM
#4
As I just told dstring be sure to visit the Maligne Canyon.
http://hikejasper.com/Hiking-Maligne...in-Jasper.html
Taking the Skeena train requires paying for a hotel room 1 night in Prince George. The train starts again in the morning to Prince Rupert. The Canadian and the Skeena only run 3 times a week out of Jasper. The sleeper cars on the Canadian have become very expensive. If you can endure sleeping in coach, you will save money by taking the train from Jasper to Vancouver.
http://hikejasper.com/Hiking-Maligne...in-Jasper.html
Taking the Skeena train requires paying for a hotel room 1 night in Prince George. The train starts again in the morning to Prince Rupert. The Canadian and the Skeena only run 3 times a week out of Jasper. The sleeper cars on the Canadian have become very expensive. If you can endure sleeping in coach, you will save money by taking the train from Jasper to Vancouver.
May 12th, 2011, 08:46 AM
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Baniff is lovely but you will find hoards of tourists & lots of t shirt shops. I personally would skip it because there are other places with scenery that is just as beautiful i. e. Waterton.The Pacific Rim suggestion is a good one but the logistics of distances & one way car rentals are something to look at very carefully. We have been to Vancouver Island and the Jasper region but on separate trips for that reason.
May 12th, 2011, 12:14 PM
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I cannot give you advice on your 2 travel options but we love the Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper area and dream of returning to hike and enjoy the beauty that surrounds the entire area.
We like to choose different places to travel each year because there are so many places we want to see but the Canadian Rockies really is one of our very favorite places. We have Vancouver on our list but still have not gotten there for a visit.
Banff may be busy but you can stay in Lake Louise or one of the cottages between Banff and Lake Louise. (we have stayed at Baker Creek) There are a lot of great trails to hike that are near Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Emerald Lake Lodge may have daytrippers but is really a lovely quiet place to stay about a half hour outside of Lake Louise. We loved our stay there.
Since you are hikers, once you walk about a mile down the trail, you will lose most of the crowds. If hiking to Lake Agnes Teahouse or other popular trails, start early to beat the crowds.
We also enjoyed our stay at Paradise Lodge. We rented one of the Wilson cabins--their cheapest accommodations. They have a nice continental breakfast that they serve every morning.
We have only travelled to the area in September and in March (to ski) so we have missed the crowds. Banff is a great place to visit when it rains and makes a nice one night stop when we are driving back from Jasper and heading for the airport.
We like to choose different places to travel each year because there are so many places we want to see but the Canadian Rockies really is one of our very favorite places. We have Vancouver on our list but still have not gotten there for a visit.
Banff may be busy but you can stay in Lake Louise or one of the cottages between Banff and Lake Louise. (we have stayed at Baker Creek) There are a lot of great trails to hike that are near Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
Emerald Lake Lodge may have daytrippers but is really a lovely quiet place to stay about a half hour outside of Lake Louise. We loved our stay there.
Since you are hikers, once you walk about a mile down the trail, you will lose most of the crowds. If hiking to Lake Agnes Teahouse or other popular trails, start early to beat the crowds.
We also enjoyed our stay at Paradise Lodge. We rented one of the Wilson cabins--their cheapest accommodations. They have a nice continental breakfast that they serve every morning.
We have only travelled to the area in September and in March (to ski) so we have missed the crowds. Banff is a great place to visit when it rains and makes a nice one night stop when we are driving back from Jasper and heading for the airport.
