Trip to Banff - Advice?

Hi all

I have a trip to Banff coming up pretty soon. I'll be there for business (well, science), and I think I'll add a few days for photography afterwards. Of course, I do realize that one could spend months and months there, but I figure it's going to be about a week for me. What would you do with your time? I thought about going from campground to campground by car and do single-day hikes from there, hoping to find some good light once in a while.

I do realize that going for multi-day backcountry hikes in Banff and Jasper would be the real deal, but I think that bringing all the equipment needed for that would be a bit too much of a hassle, plus I have limited, time, plus I'll be solo, and it'll be my first time on that side of the pond, so I also lack experience.

One thing I was wondering - we all want to be in the nicest spots for sunrise and sunset, which means hiking and driving before and after sunset sometimes. Is this a major issue due to bear encounters on trails, or wildlife on the streets, or is this not much of a problem?

Already got Darwin's guides (well, three of them) and can't wait to start shootin'.

I'll appreciate any insights or tips you might want to share.

Thanks!

Hi Basil - My favorite places when I visited there with my family were Bow Lake, Lake Moraine, Peto Lake, and an Ice Walk on the Columbia Glacier (which was a guided walk). Bear activity makes it dangerous to walk alone in certain areas so be sure to check precautions. For landscape, I highly recommend Darwin Wiggett's Guide to Photographing the Canadian Rockies. I believe it is in e-book form from his website (I have the hard copy version). John Marriott is also another great resource. Have a great time! That whole area is outrageously beautiful.

Edit: Opps! Just saw you do have Darwin's guides which are a great resource.

Thanks, Eva! Most of your suggestions are already at the top of my list.

Basil, I just got back from Jasper/Icefields where we did everything as day trips. On an overcast day, I sure enjoyed the short hike along Beauty Creek, which is a few kilometers north of the Icefields. It's a slot canyon with 8 waterfalls in about 1.6 km ending with Stanley Falls at the top. It's covered in Darwin's Icefields Parkway book. Most of the pull offs along the Parkway are not marked, so get yourself a good map.

You'll have no shortage of shooting opportunities just doing day hikes. If you get up to the Jasper area, check out Maligne Lake. Also Patricia Lake. I was there in the winter though so quite a different perspective.

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll look into them.

Darwin's books are excellent guides to the area. I would consider them essential, not to mention Darwin and Samantha are really great folks, should you happen to meet up with them in your travels there.

You don't really need anything else apart from Darwin's guides. Wilcox Pass is a favourite of mine.