Day 11 Sunday - Icefields Parkway

Today we set off to drive the Icefields Parkway - this is a 232 km stretch of highway with soaring rocky mountain peaks that connects Lake Louise with Jasper. It's considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world with many recommended stopping points. The first for us was Crowfoot Glacier and then we moved to Bow Lake, which shimmers with a turquoise hue.

Our next stop was for Peyto Lake - parking was challenging but after a delay we got a space and walking to the viewpoint we saw the cutest dog and had to take a photo!

An awesome view awaited us at the top of the path - it’s one of the most iconic photo ops in the Rockies and there was quite a crowd up there so we moved on again fairly quickly.

The next stop was Mistaya Canyon with rushing water from Peyto Lake that has carved the twisting narrow canyon. We had a picnic lunch after our walk around the canyon, then headed off again.

At the next stop we looked for goats high in the mountains - someone pointed two out as white spots! The weather was getting lovely and warm so we changed our clothes ready to hike at our next stop.

The Parker Ridge Hike is a 2.5 km climb up to the ridge, then you walk along the top and gradually get the most spectacular views of the Saskachewan Glacier - we met only a handful of people altogether and no one was at the top when we were there so it was very peaceful and serene.

It was getting toward suppertime when we arrived at our hotel, the Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge - we had some supper and will soon head for bed. The weather has been so clear and sunny making all the stops today extra beautiful.

Day 10 Saturday - Lake Louise

We had a tasty breakfast wrap then got the bus to Lake Louise. Public parking is allowed plus there are lots of buses and tours so people are there in droves. We left the busyness behind as we hiked up to Mirror Lake, a small glassy alpine tarn with a rock above called The Big Beehive. 

The track continues up to The Little Beehive which is a lookout with 360 degree views of the mountains with Lake Louise below.  Dropping back down a little there is the Lake Agnes Tearoom - amazingly they run this establishment with no road to take supplies in or out, everything is hiked up and down. We had a great tea and cake experience and chatted to an elderly couple - turns out he was born in Leith, his family leaving when he was a child. He has returned for visits and has cousins there still.

Back down we had to catch two buses to get back to the hostel.  We ate at the in house restaurant again and Bethany had poutine - this is a famous Canadian comfort food made with fries, fresh cheese curds and hot brown gravy. It’s very satisfying after a day of hiking.

 

Day 9 Friday - Consolation Lake and Lake Moraine

This morning we left the hostel at 7 am - the car needed defrosting and there was fresh snow dusting the mountain tops. We got some supplies from the bakery then headed to the Gondola parking where we met up with our Parks Canada guide for today's hike.  

We boarded a bus and travelled for about 20 minutes before starting the small group hike with our guide Ardell.  On the hike to Consolation Lake she gave interesting information about the area and animals living there. Ardell's husband does grizzly bear tours around Port Rupert. The last part of the hike is a challenge as there's large boulders to climb over. We enjoyed the chat with the other people in the group, some Americans and a couple of German girls. 

Back at the start we ate packed lunch then viewed Lake Moraine from the rock pile and the sky became a bit grey but as we walked down and along the shoreline the sun shone and the water sparkled.

Back at the start we got the bus to Lake Louise Village and did our laundry at the hostel before having supper and off to bed. We both still have a bit of a cough so sleep is needed.

Day 8 Thursday - Yoho National Park

Today we were on the road by 10 am for the drive to Golden in Yoho National Park. It rained heavily most of the way but after stopping for brunch it brightened up and we headed for Wapta falls. Satnav had us on a gravel road which wasn’t for tourists but we did see a small black bear eating in the bushes. We found the correct route and walked to the falls which are most impressive at 30 meters high and 150 meters wide. You hear the noise of the powerful water before you see it and the spray coming up makes it appear misty.

The next stop was Emerald Lake, a stunning jade coloured glacial lake surrounded by mountain peaks. We rented a canoe and it was peaceful paddling, and we saw two weddings on the shoreline.

Once back on the highway we soon turned up a winding road into the mountains until we reached Takakkaw falls.  The glacial water cascades down from 373 meters crashing into the valley.

We ended the day at Lake Louise Village where we're staying at the hostel - we have our own room and it has a relaxed alpine style. 

Day 7 Wednesday - Kootenay National Park

We're both feeling sneezy still so we didn't rush about, with checkout being 11 am. We packed our things then did a little shopping and had a maple latte at Communitea before heading onto Highway 1. At Castle Junction route 93 leaves Banff National Park and enters Kootenay.  Our first stop after an hour was at Marble Canyon which is a deep narrow gorge. There are several bridges which crisscross back and forth giving great views. 

After this we started walking along the Paint Pots trail but realising it was long, we went back to the car to eat our salad before driving further up the trail head and taking up the walk again. It's an interesting walk with a boardwalk taking a path across meadow and marshland. At the end are three iron rich pools that bubble up in an orange ochre colour. 

After the hike we drove the final hour to Radium Hot Springs - the plan was to visit the hot springs but we ran out of time. We have further hot springs on our itinerary when we reach Jasper.

Day 6 Tuesday - Sunshine Meadow

I was feeling rough this morning but we had the rental car to pick up at 10 am from the Banff Fairmont Hotel, which is built in the style of a Scottish Baronial Castle and costs around £700 a night! Lots of rich American tourists around as expected. I will get a photo when we return the car. Bethany went to hire bear spray.

We navigated out of town okay and then headed to Sunshine Village, about 10 miles out of Banff with a gondola operating in summer to take passengers up to Sunshine Meadow, a high altitude alpine hiking area. They got their first snow fall on 30 August although that melted; by 20 September they close and start to prepare for skiing which starts in November.

After the gondola there's a chairlift and at this point you reach 8,000 feet above sea level and there's 360 degree views of the Rockies, and paths run through the alpine meadows and around three beautiful lakes.

It's a magical place and the weather got sunnier and warmer as we hiked through the meadow with amazing views in every direction. 

After leaving Sunshine Meadow we drove to Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake which are about 15 mins out of Banff. We parked easily and walked along the shoreline. They are both very scenic and quite peaceful at that time of day, around 5pm.  After this we went back to Canmore and had an early night.

Day 5 Monday - Banff

This morning we had a lie in til 8.45 am - we both have colds we are fighting!  It was raining again so we had a relaxed breakfast at Communitea.  Then we then got the bus to Banff where the weather was okay, and went to the visitors centre to purchase our Park Pass which we will need from tomorrow onwards.

Banff is very scenic to walk around - there are various bridges that cross the river and the mountains dominate overhead. It's also very busy with tour buses and we're glad to be staying in Canmore.

Next we took the path towards the Cave and Basin which is an underground system of sulpherous hot springs, used by the  indigenous people for thousands of years.  When the settlers arrived with the railway, they tried to claim it for profit, but the government stepped in to protect the site and built a heated swimming pool which operated from 1914-1990s. The swimming pool is now covered over but the natural pools are home to some rare tiny snails that are endangered but live well in the warm mineral waters. They are only the size of an apple pip! 

We returned into town and visited the Cascade of Time garden which was stunning - lots of terraces, gazebos and ponds - and popular with wedding couples as two were getting photos taken.  

We had a dessert at D Spot which was very tasty, then caught the bus back to Canmore, stopping for some groceries on the way into town. There was a lovely sunset from our balcony tonight.