We are staying a couple weeks based in Fairmont Hot Springs and will explore a bit south, and southeast, as well as to the north during our stay there. Then we will spend 12 days based in Golden exploring Baniff, Lake Louise and all the wonder in that area.
We will have 4 days extra before flying out of Calgary. Expect to spend 2 to 3 days in Calgary, but are looking for an area on our way to Calgary that might be of interest for a day or a day and a half. How about the Kananaskis area? Any other suggestions?
Would like to stay the night in this area to avoid the expensive stampede rooms in Calgary until after the 18th.
I have a feeling it is going to be very difficult to see this vacation coming to an end!
We will have 4 days extra before flying out of Calgary. Expect to spend 2 to 3 days in Calgary, but are looking for an area on our way to Calgary that might be of interest for a day or a day and a half. How about the Kananaskis area? Any other suggestions?
Would like to stay the night in this area to avoid the expensive stampede rooms in Calgary until after the 18th.
I have a feeling it is going to be very difficult to see this vacation coming to an end!
I have three suggestions, both of which I have done, even on the same trip.
First, visit Calgary. I never thought the prices at hotels on the airport side of town were that much more expensive during the Stampede. I stayed at the Greenwood Inn last year (and will again this year) during the stampede and after. I recall that my room was $10.00 C more during the Stampede.
And to throw in an unsolicited commercial, I thought my room was very good. It was spacious with a couch and a nice king bed. The hotel supplied white robes to wear to the swimming pool (inside), and there is ample shopping in that area. Parking was more than ample and free of extra charge.
Second idea, drive down to Waterton National Park. Accommodations in the park tend to be good but pricey. On my last trip my wife and I stayed at the Shintangle B and B a few K north of the Waterton Park entrance. It is a place designed as a B and B. The bedrooms are in a separate wing and well laid-out in terms of size and appointments. The breakfast was fair, but the room was enough to compensate.
The boat trip down the lake and back is nice. There are a few challenging hikes (Crypt Landing and the trail to Crypt Lake), and a few short but scenic drives, particularly the red rocks canyon. A few miles away in Cardston is the Remington Carriage Museum. It is a huge collection of horse drawn carriages from the 1800s and early 1900s. None other like it in the USA or Canada that I know of.
Not far from there, too, is the Buffalo Jump. Some people find it fascinating.
A third suggestion is to spend a couple of nights at Waterton and then drive across Alberta, bypassing Calgary, to Drumheller. The primary attraction there is the incredible Royal Tyrrell Museum, which is a World Heritage Site.
From Drumheller the route to Calgary is flat and fast. In fact, don't lete the fact that you might be on secondary roads cause you to hesitate. I often take them because they are flat and straight with very little traffic.
Also, you did not mention visiting Glacier National Park. It is a few miles west of Golden on the Trans Canada. I have stopped there a couple of times on clear days and taken a short walk. The most scenic trails in that park are steep, but a little effort can result in a lot of viewing of sawtooth peaks and glacial beds.
The Illecillewaet Glacier is no longer visible. The rock bed is visible south of Rogers Pass, and it is often wet and gleaming in the sun. What some people think is ice is actually wet rock.
There are some other glaciers in the park, but they are alpine remnants of the huge glaciers that once carved the area.
Mount Revelstoke is on toward the west.
It provides beautiful views and nost of the mountain lies in a rain forest.
That whole region capatures loads of snow in the winter and the highway must be kept free and clear of avalanche hazards.
In short, after your visit to the springs, there are activities east, west, and south that will well occupy your time.
My favorite pick of the list would be to visit Waterton, do the boat ride on the lake, take the Crypt Lake hike, which is a challenge, then head over to Cardston for the carriage museum, then scoot across the praries to Drumheller and tour the World Heritage site at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. The educational program at the musuem is aimed at kids.
I know that last time we were there, the educatonal staff had made models of some of the fossils of the creatures of the world famous Burgess Shale. These were illuminated with "black" light while the staff members did a little skit in rhyme to help remember facts about thse strange and wonderous creatures that inhabited the planet 600 million years ago when life with boney parts was first evolving.
Of course the skeleton of T-Rex is what many people come to see. And I kid you not, it is fearsome. I would not want to wake up and find one of those creatures in my backyard.
Those jaws could eat the house.
First, visit Calgary. I never thought the prices at hotels on the airport side of town were that much more expensive during the Stampede. I stayed at the Greenwood Inn last year (and will again this year) during the stampede and after. I recall that my room was $10.00 C more during the Stampede.
And to throw in an unsolicited commercial, I thought my room was very good. It was spacious with a couch and a nice king bed. The hotel supplied white robes to wear to the swimming pool (inside), and there is ample shopping in that area. Parking was more than ample and free of extra charge.
Second idea, drive down to Waterton National Park. Accommodations in the park tend to be good but pricey. On my last trip my wife and I stayed at the Shintangle B and B a few K north of the Waterton Park entrance. It is a place designed as a B and B. The bedrooms are in a separate wing and well laid-out in terms of size and appointments. The breakfast was fair, but the room was enough to compensate.
The boat trip down the lake and back is nice. There are a few challenging hikes (Crypt Landing and the trail to Crypt Lake), and a few short but scenic drives, particularly the red rocks canyon. A few miles away in Cardston is the Remington Carriage Museum. It is a huge collection of horse drawn carriages from the 1800s and early 1900s. None other like it in the USA or Canada that I know of.
Not far from there, too, is the Buffalo Jump. Some people find it fascinating.
A third suggestion is to spend a couple of nights at Waterton and then drive across Alberta, bypassing Calgary, to Drumheller. The primary attraction there is the incredible Royal Tyrrell Museum, which is a World Heritage Site.
From Drumheller the route to Calgary is flat and fast. In fact, don't lete the fact that you might be on secondary roads cause you to hesitate. I often take them because they are flat and straight with very little traffic.
Also, you did not mention visiting Glacier National Park. It is a few miles west of Golden on the Trans Canada. I have stopped there a couple of times on clear days and taken a short walk. The most scenic trails in that park are steep, but a little effort can result in a lot of viewing of sawtooth peaks and glacial beds.
The Illecillewaet Glacier is no longer visible. The rock bed is visible south of Rogers Pass, and it is often wet and gleaming in the sun. What some people think is ice is actually wet rock.
There are some other glaciers in the park, but they are alpine remnants of the huge glaciers that once carved the area.
Mount Revelstoke is on toward the west.
It provides beautiful views and nost of the mountain lies in a rain forest.
That whole region capatures loads of snow in the winter and the highway must be kept free and clear of avalanche hazards.
In short, after your visit to the springs, there are activities east, west, and south that will well occupy your time.
My favorite pick of the list would be to visit Waterton, do the boat ride on the lake, take the Crypt Lake hike, which is a challenge, then head over to Cardston for the carriage museum, then scoot across the praries to Drumheller and tour the World Heritage site at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. The educational program at the musuem is aimed at kids.
I know that last time we were there, the educatonal staff had made models of some of the fossils of the creatures of the world famous Burgess Shale. These were illuminated with "black" light while the staff members did a little skit in rhyme to help remember facts about thse strange and wonderous creatures that inhabited the planet 600 million years ago when life with boney parts was first evolving.
Of course the skeleton of T-Rex is what many people come to see. And I kid you not, it is fearsome. I would not want to wake up and find one of those creatures in my backyard.
Those jaws could eat the house.
I may have a faulty recall of room prices. The cost of a room at the Greenwood during the Stampede is more like $24 US higher than normal.
I need to check my invoice from last year, but i cannot find it.
I need to check my invoice from last year, but i cannot find it.
Bob,
Thank you for that detailed response.
You're right, we need to spend time in Glacier National Park and take a look at Revelstoke as well. Since we will have 12 days in the Golden area, we will make sure it's on the agenda while based there.
I like the idea of seeing Waterton. Especially after reading numerous posts regarding the town after your response. Taking a look at pictures of the area and it looks gorgeous. I like the fact that the Bayshore Inn is right on the lake. Looks like lovely views from your room. I like your suggestions for activities while in town.
We leave the lodge in Golden on the 17th. Thought we'd drive down to Waterton and stay the night on the 17th and 18th. Then drive up to Calgary on the 18th taking in Cardston and the Buffalo jump. Sounds as though we need to make a decision about if we would rather see the Carriage Museum or the Royal Tyrrell Museum as well will need to get to a hotel in Calgary by the evening of the 19th. Which museum do you think three boys, ages 5, 7, and 10 would rather see?
We will be in our van with my parents who are in their 70's. They leave from Calgary on the 20th and we leave two days later on the 22nd.
Now, if we follow this route...I found one of your posts that had directions from Baniff to Glacier NP. Is this the route we should take from Golden to Waterton? Or should we attempt to drive south on 95 somehow to get to Waterton from Golden?
"when you drive from Banff to Glacier NP, you should consider taking route 40 south from its junction with the Trans Canada a few K east of Canmore to where it changes route numbers and leads into the town of Longview. There you pick up route 22 and continue south toward Pincher Creek. From Pincher Creek, you continue past Waterton Park to Glacier, crossing the border at the Port of Chief Mountain.
Route 40 leads past the entrance to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, which is highly scenic. South of Peter Lougheed Route 40 reaches an elevation of about 7200 feet which makes it one of the highest roads in Alberta."
So many questions....your patience is recognized and appreciated!
What would be the driving time getting from Golden to Waterton and then from Waterton to Drumheller?
One other question...have you spent much time in the Kananaskis area? Although Waterton looks so inviting, it would be a heck of a lot less traveling to visit that area after we leave Golden and then make our way over to Drumheller and finally Calgary. But if it just can't compare to Waterton, then Waterton it will be.
Thank you for that detailed response.
You're right, we need to spend time in Glacier National Park and take a look at Revelstoke as well. Since we will have 12 days in the Golden area, we will make sure it's on the agenda while based there.
I like the idea of seeing Waterton. Especially after reading numerous posts regarding the town after your response. Taking a look at pictures of the area and it looks gorgeous. I like the fact that the Bayshore Inn is right on the lake. Looks like lovely views from your room. I like your suggestions for activities while in town.
We leave the lodge in Golden on the 17th. Thought we'd drive down to Waterton and stay the night on the 17th and 18th. Then drive up to Calgary on the 18th taking in Cardston and the Buffalo jump. Sounds as though we need to make a decision about if we would rather see the Carriage Museum or the Royal Tyrrell Museum as well will need to get to a hotel in Calgary by the evening of the 19th. Which museum do you think three boys, ages 5, 7, and 10 would rather see?
We will be in our van with my parents who are in their 70's. They leave from Calgary on the 20th and we leave two days later on the 22nd.
Now, if we follow this route...I found one of your posts that had directions from Baniff to Glacier NP. Is this the route we should take from Golden to Waterton? Or should we attempt to drive south on 95 somehow to get to Waterton from Golden?
"when you drive from Banff to Glacier NP, you should consider taking route 40 south from its junction with the Trans Canada a few K east of Canmore to where it changes route numbers and leads into the town of Longview. There you pick up route 22 and continue south toward Pincher Creek. From Pincher Creek, you continue past Waterton Park to Glacier, crossing the border at the Port of Chief Mountain.
Route 40 leads past the entrance to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, which is highly scenic. South of Peter Lougheed Route 40 reaches an elevation of about 7200 feet which makes it one of the highest roads in Alberta."
So many questions....your patience is recognized and appreciated!
What would be the driving time getting from Golden to Waterton and then from Waterton to Drumheller?
One other question...have you spent much time in the Kananaskis area? Although Waterton looks so inviting, it would be a heck of a lot less traveling to visit that area after we leave Golden and then make our way over to Drumheller and finally Calgary. But if it just can't compare to Waterton, then Waterton it will be.
Hm. Before we plunge into this discussion any deeper, let's make sure we are on the same page of the play book. My earlier response was talking about the Canadian Glacier Park that lies west of Golden. It is acessible only by the Trans Canada in a normal vehicle and accommodations in the area are relatively scarce. There is one motel at Rogers Pass, but it is a little on the expensive side.
Double Hmm Golden to Waterton.
That one is complicated by the fact that the route from Golden via Fort Steele, Elko, and Crownest Pass is winding, long, and at times slow.
The other route is to drive over Kicking Horse Pass via Lake Louise, Banff, and Canmore. Turn south on route 40 to Longview and south again on 22 to Pincher Creek.
We are talking 500 k, or 310 miles, Golden to Waterton. My guess is that it would take you 6 full hours to drive it plus any stops for gas and, as my wife says, "degassing". (I never quite understood it fully, but it seemed to be something all passengers did at every stop.)
The problem with Kananaskas Country is places to stay. The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge would run you over 180 C per night for a room with 2 queen beds.
Mount Engadine Lodge may be your best bet. In the summer a cabin for 4 is 140 C per night. Of course the taxes sock up the rate too fast for comfort.
Longview has one lonely place listed.
I know nothing about the Blue Sky Motel, but I think it would basic at best. Google found virtually nothing.
The Shintangle is $120 double occupancy.
As I recall, you would need several rooms.
The Skyline in Pincher Creek is cheaper, but so are the motels.
Now for the question I cannot answer.
Royal Tyrrell Museum versus Carriage Museum, Buffalo Jump, etc.
The drive from Waterton to Drumheller is a long one across the fields of Alberta. I am not sure right now how I would go, but a distance estimate is
400 K or about 250 miles.
I could drive it in less than 5 hours, even with degassing time. But I am 2; sounds like you are 5 with 3 uncontrollables.
(My son has 2 boys and they go places, but he is always planning for them.)
The program at the Royal Tyrrell Museum is varied. The educational plan is aimed at school aged children, and there will be jillions of them there.
There are dinosaur digs, etc. Little skits. But how long can skeleton, skits, and whatnot hold the intrest of children that age????????????
I don't know any longer. At age 71 my memory tends to blot out the bad and remember the good!!
Lots to consider there.
My suggestion would be to find a good spot in Canmore for lodging and check out that part of the mountains south of the Trans Canada.
You can go a long ways down through the lakes and what not Peter lougheed park and surroundings.
Get back with me, directly, if you wish.
I like to help out when I can.
Double Hmm Golden to Waterton.
That one is complicated by the fact that the route from Golden via Fort Steele, Elko, and Crownest Pass is winding, long, and at times slow.
The other route is to drive over Kicking Horse Pass via Lake Louise, Banff, and Canmore. Turn south on route 40 to Longview and south again on 22 to Pincher Creek.
We are talking 500 k, or 310 miles, Golden to Waterton. My guess is that it would take you 6 full hours to drive it plus any stops for gas and, as my wife says, "degassing". (I never quite understood it fully, but it seemed to be something all passengers did at every stop.)
The problem with Kananaskas Country is places to stay. The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge would run you over 180 C per night for a room with 2 queen beds.
Mount Engadine Lodge may be your best bet. In the summer a cabin for 4 is 140 C per night. Of course the taxes sock up the rate too fast for comfort.
Longview has one lonely place listed.
I know nothing about the Blue Sky Motel, but I think it would basic at best. Google found virtually nothing.
The Shintangle is $120 double occupancy.
As I recall, you would need several rooms.
The Skyline in Pincher Creek is cheaper, but so are the motels.
Now for the question I cannot answer.
Royal Tyrrell Museum versus Carriage Museum, Buffalo Jump, etc.
The drive from Waterton to Drumheller is a long one across the fields of Alberta. I am not sure right now how I would go, but a distance estimate is
400 K or about 250 miles.
I could drive it in less than 5 hours, even with degassing time. But I am 2; sounds like you are 5 with 3 uncontrollables.
(My son has 2 boys and they go places, but he is always planning for them.)
The program at the Royal Tyrrell Museum is varied. The educational plan is aimed at school aged children, and there will be jillions of them there.
There are dinosaur digs, etc. Little skits. But how long can skeleton, skits, and whatnot hold the intrest of children that age????????????
I don't know any longer. At age 71 my memory tends to blot out the bad and remember the good!!
Lots to consider there.
My suggestion would be to find a good spot in Canmore for lodging and check out that part of the mountains south of the Trans Canada.
You can go a long ways down through the lakes and what not Peter lougheed park and surroundings.
Get back with me, directly, if you wish.
I like to help out when I can.
>>>>>>Then drive up to Calgary on the 18th taking in Cardston and the Buffalo jump. Sounds as though we need to make a decision about if we would rather see the Carriage Museum or the Royal Tyrrell Museum as well will need to get to a hotel in Calgary by the evening of the 19th. Which museum do you think three boys, ages 5, 7, and 10 would rather see?<<<<<<
Hibiscushouse, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is far and away the more spectacular of the two museums. I've never been to the Carriage Museum in Cardston. I'd love to visit it some time, because I'm interested in history, and I've heard it's a very fine museum. But there are other places where you can see carriages.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum, on the other hand, has no equal that I'm aware of. My husband has seen the dinosaur section of the Museum of Natural History in NYC, and he says the Tyrrell's collection is far more extensive.
The Tyrrell appeals to all age groups. We've been there as a three generation family ourselves. It offers hands-on and outdoor activities that keep young kids engaged and interested.
The thing about the Tyrrell, though, is that you cannot just pop in and see it on the way from Waterton Lakes National Park to Calgary, on a day that includes the Carriage Museum as well. For one thing, Waterton is south of Calgary, while Drumheller, where the Tyrrell is situated, is east and a little north of Calgary.
For another thing, it takes 2 hours to take a cursory walk through the Royal Tyrrell Museum. It's actually better to spend about 4 hours there, to give the kids a chance to get involved with a couple of the activities.
Add to that the fact that it would take about 4 hours to drive from the Waterton area to Drumheller, and the idea of visiting the Tyrrell on the way from Waterton to Calgary really isn't feasible.
Here is what I suggest you do when you leave Golden (these suggestions are predicated on the assumption that you will have been able to visit the Columbia Icefields, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Banff townsite during your 12 days in Golden):
July 17 : Drive from Golden to Waterton Lakes National Park or a nearby spot. Regardless of which route you took to Waterton, it would take 6 hours without stops, as Bob indicated. So, with the stops that I imagine your family group will need, it'll take the better part of a full day.
July 18 : Explore Waterton area. I believe you could include a visit to the Carriage Museum in Cardston on this day. You might be better off skipping Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. I personally am interested in hunting-gathering people around the world, and find Head-Smashed-In a fascinating place. But I suspect the exhibits and explanations at the interpretive centre may not be sufficiently concrete and hands-on to interest children. The Carriage Museum, on the other hand, probably would have enough wheels in it to keep 3 boys interested.
July 19 : Drive to Drumheller in the morning. Have lunch in Drumheller. The museum's cafeteria is nothing to write home about. Spend the afternoon at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Do the 2 hour drive to Calgary in the late afternoon / early evening.
July 20 : See your parents off, and then spend your remaining time in Calgary.
>>>>>>One other question...have you spent much time in the Kananaskis area? Although Waterton looks so inviting, it would be a heck of a lot less traveling to visit that area after we leave Golden and then make our way over to Drumheller and finally Calgary. But if it just can't compare to Waterton, then Waterton it will be.<<<<<<
You have a very good point. Much as I like the drive to Waterton Lakes National Park and the park itself, I don't consider it to be a "must see." Kananaskis Country is delightful too, and time there would be well spent. If you decide to concentrate on Kananaskis Country, Canmore would be an excellent town in which to base yourselves.
The thing is, the Rockies cover such a large area, all of which is beautiful, that you cannot see it in one vacation, even a vacation of as generous a length as you will have.
Quite frankly, a very worthwhile area that you will be missing, as far as I can tell, is Jasper. So, how about this?
July 17 : Drive to Jasper townsite.
July 18 : Explore the area around Jasper townsite.
July 19 : Drive to Calgary via Lake Louise and Banff.
July 20 : See your parents off. Explore Calgary.
July 21 : Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
July 22 : Fly home.
Hibiscushouse, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is far and away the more spectacular of the two museums. I've never been to the Carriage Museum in Cardston. I'd love to visit it some time, because I'm interested in history, and I've heard it's a very fine museum. But there are other places where you can see carriages.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum, on the other hand, has no equal that I'm aware of. My husband has seen the dinosaur section of the Museum of Natural History in NYC, and he says the Tyrrell's collection is far more extensive.
The Tyrrell appeals to all age groups. We've been there as a three generation family ourselves. It offers hands-on and outdoor activities that keep young kids engaged and interested.
The thing about the Tyrrell, though, is that you cannot just pop in and see it on the way from Waterton Lakes National Park to Calgary, on a day that includes the Carriage Museum as well. For one thing, Waterton is south of Calgary, while Drumheller, where the Tyrrell is situated, is east and a little north of Calgary.
For another thing, it takes 2 hours to take a cursory walk through the Royal Tyrrell Museum. It's actually better to spend about 4 hours there, to give the kids a chance to get involved with a couple of the activities.
Add to that the fact that it would take about 4 hours to drive from the Waterton area to Drumheller, and the idea of visiting the Tyrrell on the way from Waterton to Calgary really isn't feasible.
Here is what I suggest you do when you leave Golden (these suggestions are predicated on the assumption that you will have been able to visit the Columbia Icefields, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Banff townsite during your 12 days in Golden):
July 17 : Drive from Golden to Waterton Lakes National Park or a nearby spot. Regardless of which route you took to Waterton, it would take 6 hours without stops, as Bob indicated. So, with the stops that I imagine your family group will need, it'll take the better part of a full day.
July 18 : Explore Waterton area. I believe you could include a visit to the Carriage Museum in Cardston on this day. You might be better off skipping Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. I personally am interested in hunting-gathering people around the world, and find Head-Smashed-In a fascinating place. But I suspect the exhibits and explanations at the interpretive centre may not be sufficiently concrete and hands-on to interest children. The Carriage Museum, on the other hand, probably would have enough wheels in it to keep 3 boys interested.
July 19 : Drive to Drumheller in the morning. Have lunch in Drumheller. The museum's cafeteria is nothing to write home about. Spend the afternoon at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Do the 2 hour drive to Calgary in the late afternoon / early evening.
July 20 : See your parents off, and then spend your remaining time in Calgary.
>>>>>>One other question...have you spent much time in the Kananaskis area? Although Waterton looks so inviting, it would be a heck of a lot less traveling to visit that area after we leave Golden and then make our way over to Drumheller and finally Calgary. But if it just can't compare to Waterton, then Waterton it will be.<<<<<<
You have a very good point. Much as I like the drive to Waterton Lakes National Park and the park itself, I don't consider it to be a "must see." Kananaskis Country is delightful too, and time there would be well spent. If you decide to concentrate on Kananaskis Country, Canmore would be an excellent town in which to base yourselves.
The thing is, the Rockies cover such a large area, all of which is beautiful, that you cannot see it in one vacation, even a vacation of as generous a length as you will have.
Quite frankly, a very worthwhile area that you will be missing, as far as I can tell, is Jasper. So, how about this?
July 17 : Drive to Jasper townsite.
July 18 : Explore the area around Jasper townsite.
July 19 : Drive to Calgary via Lake Louise and Banff.
July 20 : See your parents off. Explore Calgary.
July 21 : Visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller.
July 22 : Fly home.
Bob,
I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear about what our plans are. To clarify;
we already have our accommodations for both Radium Hot Springs (a private home) and for Golden (The Beaverfoot lodge). We will be taking day trips from both locations so we'll be able to spend some time at the Canadian Glacier Park while we are based at Beaverfoot.
During our 2 wk stay in Radium, we plan to take day trips to Fairmont, Kootenay, Kimberly, Cranbrook, Fernie, and anything else we have time for. But mostly everything south of Radium.
But while staying 12 days at The Beaverfoot, we will explore Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, Glacier, Revelstoke, as well as take the time to enjoy the amenities the lodge provides.
But our reservation at the lodge ends on the 17th. We have to be in Calgary by the evening of the 19th b/c my parents (who are traveling in our van with us) fly home on the 20th. We then fly home on the 22nd.
So I'm trying to fill those 3 days, the 17th, 18th and 19th with an area that we haven't seen.
It is our first trip to B.C. so I wasn't sure about the route from Golden to Waterton via 95. Didn't know it was so winding. Sounds pretty, but certainly not practical. Your second route would work better if we are to do this. But it does sound like an awful lot of driving. The kids will be fine with the driving.
But I guess I'm just wondering that if we get on the East side of Banff (the area we haven't explored during our stay at Beaverfoot) if we would be just as happy than if we drove all the way down to Waterton and included all the other suggestions on the way back up to Calgary. ?? Is the Kananaskis area and Peter Lougheed Park an area that we could spend a day and a half?
But, you're right. As I educate myself with your help, I see that it's slim pickin's for accommodations in Kananaskis. Drat!
Perhaps I should start reading the Canmore posts and continue with the education.
My ears are open to any further recommendations from anyone. And, I thank you for all of your input Bob.
I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear about what our plans are. To clarify;
we already have our accommodations for both Radium Hot Springs (a private home) and for Golden (The Beaverfoot lodge). We will be taking day trips from both locations so we'll be able to spend some time at the Canadian Glacier Park while we are based at Beaverfoot.
During our 2 wk stay in Radium, we plan to take day trips to Fairmont, Kootenay, Kimberly, Cranbrook, Fernie, and anything else we have time for. But mostly everything south of Radium.
But while staying 12 days at The Beaverfoot, we will explore Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho, Glacier, Revelstoke, as well as take the time to enjoy the amenities the lodge provides.
But our reservation at the lodge ends on the 17th. We have to be in Calgary by the evening of the 19th b/c my parents (who are traveling in our van with us) fly home on the 20th. We then fly home on the 22nd.
So I'm trying to fill those 3 days, the 17th, 18th and 19th with an area that we haven't seen.
It is our first trip to B.C. so I wasn't sure about the route from Golden to Waterton via 95. Didn't know it was so winding. Sounds pretty, but certainly not practical. Your second route would work better if we are to do this. But it does sound like an awful lot of driving. The kids will be fine with the driving.
But I guess I'm just wondering that if we get on the East side of Banff (the area we haven't explored during our stay at Beaverfoot) if we would be just as happy than if we drove all the way down to Waterton and included all the other suggestions on the way back up to Calgary. ?? Is the Kananaskis area and Peter Lougheed Park an area that we could spend a day and a half?
But, you're right. As I educate myself with your help, I see that it's slim pickin's for accommodations in Kananaskis. Drat!
Perhaps I should start reading the Canmore posts and continue with the education.
My ears are open to any further recommendations from anyone. And, I thank you for all of your input Bob.
Judy, Thank you for your suggestions. I was looking forward to your input as well. You two make a great team.
I was in the process of writing my post and doing some research at the same time, so I posted without having read your suggestions.
Jasper...my parents are the only part of our group who have been to BC before. She has seen Jasper and put in a request for a different area to explore.
Perhaps we will explore Jasper during our stay in Golden on that day when the Grandparents insist they babysit our three well behaved, absolute joy to be around, boys for the day.
hint, hint.
"The thing is, the Rockies cover such a large area, all of which is beautiful"
This looks to be the case and for that you all must be consistently in awe! How lucky you are.
I was in the process of writing my post and doing some research at the same time, so I posted without having read your suggestions.
Jasper...my parents are the only part of our group who have been to BC before. She has seen Jasper and put in a request for a different area to explore.
Perhaps we will explore Jasper during our stay in Golden on that day when the Grandparents insist they babysit our three well behaved, absolute joy to be around, boys for the day.
hint, hint. "The thing is, the Rockies cover such a large area, all of which is beautiful"
This looks to be the case and for that you all must be consistently in awe! How lucky you are.
I understand that you will be setting up a base of operations and driving to various destinations from the home base.
From Golden to Jasper is a long trip. the total distance is not so much a factor as is the fact that the Icefields Parkway is a masterpiece of beauty. You could spend one full day driving up the parkway to Jasper and then spend one full day in the Jasper area looking around.
I have driven the parkway several times and I will be back again this summer for another visit. We will be based in Field and I am not sure how far north we will drive as part of our day trip activity, but going farther than the Icefields Center for a return trip to Golden would be a long day.
The Icefields Center is where you can ride the sno coach out onto the glacier. I did it once in 1987, enjoyed it greatly, but I have not been tempted to do it again.
So rather than thinking south, think north. Spend your extra day or two driving to Jasper.
From Golden to Jasper is a long trip. the total distance is not so much a factor as is the fact that the Icefields Parkway is a masterpiece of beauty. You could spend one full day driving up the parkway to Jasper and then spend one full day in the Jasper area looking around.
I have driven the parkway several times and I will be back again this summer for another visit. We will be based in Field and I am not sure how far north we will drive as part of our day trip activity, but going farther than the Icefields Center for a return trip to Golden would be a long day.
The Icefields Center is where you can ride the sno coach out onto the glacier. I did it once in 1987, enjoyed it greatly, but I have not been tempted to do it again.
So rather than thinking south, think north. Spend your extra day or two driving to Jasper.
Good advise. My Mother corrected me when I discussed it with her last night. She said she's been to Jasper before and it was a long drive. The icefields are not to be missed but her point was that unless we could do an overnight, it wouldn't be worth it to drive the entire way to Jasper and then drive back. Exactly what you both said.
So, it looks like we are going to try to do just that on the 17th and 18th. Hopefully I am not too late in trying to find a place to stay in Jasper for the big group of us. And I need to find out if they will rent to us for only 2 nights.
Still would love to make it over to Drumheller on the 19th. Will see if that can be accomplished.
Thanks again!
So, it looks like we are going to try to do just that on the 17th and 18th. Hopefully I am not too late in trying to find a place to stay in Jasper for the big group of us. And I need to find out if they will rent to us for only 2 nights.
Still would love to make it over to Drumheller on the 19th. Will see if that can be accomplished.
Thanks again!
Hibiscushouse, aren't your parents going to be in Calgary for a couple of days before the rest of you arrive? If so, they could use one of their Calgary days to drive themselves or go on a guided day tour to Drumheller. That way, you all could enjoy Jasper at a slightly more leisurely pace, and you wouldn't need to race to Drumheller to see it before your parents' July 20th departure, as the rest of you could visit Drumheller after that.
If your parents are confident drivers, the trip to Drumheller is across flat, prairie countryside, on almost straight roads, and is not at all difficult. But a guided day tour is an option too.
I've never been on a guided day tour to Drumheller, but I've heard such tours exist. Also, I seem to recall seeing tour buses in the Royal Tyrrell Museum's parking lot.
I did a Google search, and one of the companies that came up was this one:
http://www.bluemoosetours.com/drumheller.htm
Group size is between 2 and 8 people. The bus picks passengers up from their Calgary accommodation, and delivers them back there. C$125 per person price includes breakfast, lunch, museum entry fee, bus ride and services of tour guide. If it's as good as it says it is, it sounds like a decent deal to me.
If your parents are confident drivers, the trip to Drumheller is across flat, prairie countryside, on almost straight roads, and is not at all difficult. But a guided day tour is an option too.
I've never been on a guided day tour to Drumheller, but I've heard such tours exist. Also, I seem to recall seeing tour buses in the Royal Tyrrell Museum's parking lot.
I did a Google search, and one of the companies that came up was this one:
http://www.bluemoosetours.com/drumheller.htm
Group size is between 2 and 8 people. The bus picks passengers up from their Calgary accommodation, and delivers them back there. C$125 per person price includes breakfast, lunch, museum entry fee, bus ride and services of tour guide. If it's as good as it says it is, it sounds like a decent deal to me.
