Wow - what a trip!! Just got back last night from our Canada trip. I see that Darren already posted an update and some killer pics. 2 weeks wasn't nearly enough, but a good sampler and plenty of inspiration to go back for a more thorough visit.
I can't thank Darren enough for showing us around. We'd have had plenty of fun scoping things out on our own, but with just 10 days or so actually spent in Canada, being able to take advantage of Darren's knowlede of the area let us make the most of the little time that we had. Thanks, dude!!
And in keeping with the spirit of Darren's first outing, there were a total of 0 showers over the two week period! I was very careful though to park the truck at night so that I was upwind of Jennifer as the breeze blew through the back of the truck!
I doubt that I'll have as comprehensive a trip report as Darren will, but I am planning to put something together. But with 3000 photos to sort through - not including the 4x5s - it might be a while!
In the meantime, here's a p&s shot of Peyto Lake. It's really hard to pick a favorite spot from up there, but this is in the top few for sure.
Great picture of Peyto lake. When I was in Canada last August after missing Glacier because of a fire it rained almost every afternoon. Had 3 very clear mornings, but wasn't fortunate to be at Peyto lake on one of them like you were. Look forward to seeing your other shots.
It looks like you we both had decent clouds on our trip. If the point and shoot looks this good then I am sure you got some great shots. I guess I have a new vacation destination to add to list.
Did you stay in hotels, car camp, tent camp or a combo of these? Did you have to backpack in to a lot of places or where they all within a day hike of your car? Just curious in case I go some time with the family.
Rick - welcome home and thanks for posting this! Can't wait to see more! I haven't been up that way in several years, and seeing images of Peyto, Moraine, etc always makes me want to go back. Such a beautiful area.
Derek - There are many areas that are very accessible by car and the icons are all a short walk from the parking lot. Just look for the giant tour buses and thousands of tourists piling off. It is quite an industry in Canada and they are constantly running through Banff and Jasper NP's.
However, if you can get out and backpack in - you can find some really rugged, amazing scenery.
Derek - no backpacking on this trip, though I wish we would have had time for it. We slept in the back of the Tundra and managed to avoid campgrounds for all but one night in Kananaskis Country, and we had that one all to ourselves (except for a friendly moose!).
All of the photos that I'll post (eventually…) are literally within minutes of a main road, either by driving or walking. Many were taken, literally, from the road. The walk to Peyto Lake (can't call it a hike) was the longest, taking about 10-15 minutes from the parking lot. I've heard and read that there's phenomenal backpacking to be had up there, but you can seen a lot of fantastic scenery from the road. Michael described it well. Unlike U.S. parks, there's really only one road going through Banff and Jasper, with short side roads leading to parking lots at the main attractions. The benefit is that you can see a lot in a relatively short period of time with only moderate effort; the downside is that the easy accessibility means you'll be dealing with crowds and tour buses.
By the way, if you go, don't go in June. Sunset at 10:30, sunrise at 5:30… ooof. We'll definitely go back, but will do it in late September when things start to turn and there's less than 17 hours of daylight!
Discussion
9 repliesI can't thank Darren enough for showing us around. We'd have had plenty of fun scoping things out on our own, but with just 10 days or so actually spent in Canada, being able to take advantage of Darren's knowlede of the area let us make the most of the little time that we had. Thanks, dude!!
And in keeping with the spirit of Darren's first outing, there were a total of 0 showers over the two week period! I was very careful though to park the truck at night so that I was upwind of Jennifer as the breeze blew through the back of the truck!
I doubt that I'll have as comprehensive a trip report as Darren will, but I am planning to put something together. But with 3000 photos to sort through - not including the 4x5s - it might be a while!
In the meantime, here's a p&s shot of Peyto Lake. It's really hard to pick a favorite spot from up there, but this is in the top few for sure.
It looks like you we both had decent clouds on our trip. If the point and shoot looks this good then I am sure you got some great shots. I guess I have a new vacation destination to add to list.
Did you stay in hotels, car camp, tent camp or a combo of these? Did you have to backpack in to a lot of places or where they all within a day hike of your car? Just curious in case I go some time with the family.
Derek - There are many areas that are very accessible by car and the icons are all a short walk from the parking lot. Just look for the giant tour buses and thousands of tourists piling off.
However, if you can get out and backpack in - you can find some really rugged, amazing scenery.
Derek - no backpacking on this trip, though I wish we would have had time for it. We slept in the back of the Tundra and managed to avoid campgrounds for all but one night in Kananaskis Country, and we had that one all to ourselves (except for a friendly moose!).
All of the photos that I'll post (eventually…) are literally within minutes of a main road, either by driving or walking. Many were taken, literally, from the road. The walk to Peyto Lake (can't call it a hike) was the longest, taking about 10-15 minutes from the parking lot. I've heard and read that there's phenomenal backpacking to be had up there, but you can seen a lot of fantastic scenery from the road. Michael described it well. Unlike U.S. parks, there's really only one road going through Banff and Jasper, with short side roads leading to parking lots at the main attractions. The benefit is that you can see a lot in a relatively short period of time with only moderate effort; the downside is that the easy accessibility means you'll be dealing with crowds and tour buses.
By the way, if you go, don't go in June. Sunset at 10:30, sunrise at 5:30… ooof. We'll definitely go back, but will do it in late September when things start to turn and there's less than 17 hours of daylight!