Hi <BR> <BR>I'd like to spend a week exploring area between calgary, banff, lake louise, and jaspar national park...wonder if there are bus trips or rail trips out of calgary that would be feasible. or would I be better off renting a car? How difficult is it to find reasonably priced accomodations in July in this area? would appreciate any advice...It's two seniors traveling. <BR>Thanbks <BR>Grace

Renting a car gives you much more flexibility; the roads are good, the scenary is wondeful, and you'll probably enjoy being more in control. <BR> <BR>And the price of two bus or tour tickets may be close tothe cr rental, so the extra flexibility may not cost you much. <BR> <BR>BAK <BR>

I totally agree with Brian. My friend & I did a similar trip a number of years ago and just loved having a rental car - it gave us a lot of freedom, including pulling over to watch a bear in a valley down from the side of the road. <BR> <BR>I recommend staying at the Lake Louise Youth Hostel. A VERY impressive lodge, with a good cafe - good food and prices. Also have a beautiful reading room with a fireplace. Ask them about a room to ourselves - we got one and didn't pay too much morefor it. Can't help with other accommodations as we camped in the other cities we went to.

Hi Grace. Bob Brown here. I have toured that area many times in the past Canadian Rockies in 1987, we have returned 7 times. Our favorite park is Yoho because of its beautiful trails. <BR> <BR>I encourage you to rent a car. <BR>The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper takes you along the Icefields Parkway. <BR>It is one of the most spectacular drives that you will ever take. If you have your own vehicle, you have the option of stopping whenever the scene attracts you. I strongly suggest acquiring a copy of The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson. <BR>It is widely available in the Banff - Jasper area. The reason I suggest it is because there are many suggestions for short walks off of the main roads which will lead you to some of the interesting features of the parks. <BR>For example, few people know of the Falls of Beauty Creek, which are on an unmarked trail about a mile off of the parkway. We have walked up there twice and each time we asked ourselves "Why are these falls not marked??" <BR>Perhaps it is because the management wants to leave something alone. <BR>There are no constructed viewing platforms and no crowds. The parks are full of memories. So enjoy your trip.

wouldlike to thank all of you who responded to my inquiry re trip to Canadian Rockies. Will follow your advice...thanks again