Canadian Rockies: combine with Glacier?
 

Hi - I posted a similar post in Canada. I'm starting plans for a Canadian Rockies trip and wonder if I should add Glacier and others? We love to hike, sight see and search for wildlife. I'm looking for a route that would allow some of all that without exhaustion. We have anywhere from one to two weeks. What route is ideal? Should we fly in and out of Calgary or maybe into Vancouver and out of Calgary or somewhere else. Thanks for any input. I'm just starting!
sue

We did the two about seven or eight years ago. Lots of in car time. On subsequent trips we have gone straight to Calgary and done the Canmore, Banff, Jasper route. Of the two ways, I prefer the second. Glacier is a magnificent park and offers a full week worth of activities, but when you add in the Rockies in my opinion it gets too much. Do them both, separately.
And check out Mt. Engadine Lodge near Canmore for a special stay with lots of hiking options and some great wildlife viewing.

Two weeks should be plenty of time to include Glacier. We did the trip on a tour, so we had no choice as to where to fly into/out of.

Our route was:

Calgary
Watertown
Glacier
Lake Louise
Jasper
Banff
Calgary

Of course, side trips along the way. And the trip can be started anywhere if you are going on your own. I suggest you check airfares to determine where to start. I was distressed about how much a flight into Canada costs and someone suggested I check Great Falls Montana. Passing that suggestion on to you.

We did both and the are the best of the Rockies. Can't you fly to Edmonton and start there to Jasper then the Columbie icefields to Banff.Then through Yoho park ,Columbie river valley to Waterton lakes(Canadian part of Glacier. Then the Going to the sun route .I dont know if there's an airfield in Kalispell or in the neighbourhood.Otherwise drive back to Calgary and return from there.PAul

We combined Glacier (US) and Banff and Jasper and it was an awesome trip! We flew in and out of Calgary.

We only did this in a week and felt we shortchanged Glacier. Glacier is an awesome hiking park, and some of the best hikes are longer (over 3 miles)and the hike to Grinnell Glacier round trip is something like 8. So maybe start in Glacier?

On the western approach from Canada to Glacier, we stopped at Ft. Steele, a restored ghost town. I thought it was so interesting, and a great way to break up a long drive. Also, we passed Radium Hot Springs, which might be worth a soak; we didn't have time.

We took the identical trip that pollyvw described above. Two weeks to combine Glacier with the Canadian Rockies is ideal.

Kalispell is the closest airport to Glacier. Great Falls or Missoula would be second closest. Although, I bet it's cheaper to fly to Calgary.

Let us know what you find about airfare. I'm just curious. I know I spent WEEKS trying to find a 'decent' fare to Calgary, then ended up spending what I considered an arm and a leg. It seemed to be the 'foreign' element that elevated the price...extra TSA fees or some such security, customs related charge. I never did check US airports because, as I said, we were locked in as to where we were leaving from.

Dear Sueoz,

I'm assuming you are flying in from Australia and want to see all that you can. I understand that feeling, especially if you aren't sure whether you will return.

I think a lot depends on whether you have one or two weeks. We went to the Canadian Rockies in September for two weeks and it wasn't a day too long. They are simply magnificent - it's almost a spiritual experience! My vote would be to research everything well, take time enough to see things and do some hiking and not be on a strict timetable. I'd spend the whole time in Canada for sure if you only have a week.

We've been to Glacier, years ago and it's a lovely place too. If you have a full 2 weeks, you could work that in, but as gorgeous as it is, it's not any more gorgeous than the Canadian Rockies. I was pulling some pics out for my iPod today, and just caught my breath (again) at the beauty.

Good luck with your decision - whatever you do - it will be an experience you will never forget - and it will enrich your life.

if you are not a heavy duty hiker, meaning you're not always ready for those 13 mile days, two weeks is quite doable. you wil tho probably have to short change glacier a little.

I flew into calgary and drove down to glacier to do that first. you can do glacier and waterton townsite then move up to jasper and work your way down back to calgary. the car rental is a little cheaper at calgary.

i don't think you have as many choices flying into kalispell. i use that for just going to glacier... it's also on the far side of the main route folks take into waterton from glacier.

stay in many glacier or st. mary's and take a trip along trail ridge road. you have the chance of seeing, bear, mountain goats and rocky mountain big horn sheep all in the many glacier area...

great hikes under 6 hours;
in many glacier:
grinell glacier
iceberg lake

in between jasper and banff
wilcox pass

there are so many other hikes i can't remember them all. do hike to one of the tea houses make sure you have some cash with you to get tea or hot chocolate and a snack... I ended up chatting with folks from south africa!

a great view of lake louise is found at the top of big beehive hike.

by far the most wildlife was in the U.S. glacier np.

can you tell i love this area? the canadian rockies are just spectacular.

Wow - Thanks so much for all the feedback!!! We are traveling from Massachusetts. We've done some of the other western national parks and want to do these while we still can do great hikes. We're both 56 and in good hiking shape, but you never know. We'll do anything from one to eight hours - although we prefer something in between. Some hikes are worth any effort! BUT we also don't like to have to rush from place to place. Decision, decisions. Thank you all so much. I have a lot of research to do.
sue

Hello from Northwest Montana. Delta, Northwest and Horizon (Alaska Air) fly into Kalispell. US AIR flys here in the summer only. Rental cars may be a little touchy going across the border and remember that you will need a passport or ORGINAL birth certificate and picture ID. I'm orginally from Leominster, Ma. and retired out here.
Where are you from?

For more info.
www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm
www.discoveringmontana.com
wwwtravel.state.mt.us/
www.banff.com
www.canadianrockies.com
www.kalispellmt.com

Come on out! Hiking is great.

My wife and I are in that age range and feel we are in fair shape for walking. We really enjoyed the hike up Parker Ridge in Banff Nat'l Park. It's only about 2 miles but gains about 1000 ft. for a vantage point overlooking the Sasketchewan glacier as it comes down from the Colombia Icefield. Beautiful!! We would walk until our breathing was labored, stop and rest a bit, then climb some more.

One of the great hikes we made in Glacier was to the Hidden lake from Logan pass.Paul