http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , Canada , Alberta , Banff National Park en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:27:42 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:27:42 +0000 Soooo a few days and no updates. But fear not Now we're back on track.There has been lots of visiting this past little while. First we went from Saskatoon to visit Al in Westlock Alberta. Though we were only there for a handful of hours we still had a fantastic little trip up. Dan Al's boyfriend whom I haven't seen since my Ottawa days was also in town visiting so it was a goodsized reunio http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-448534.html Irsquod been living in Toronto for the better part of a year and had failed to get out and explore the rest of Canada in this time bar halloween in Montreal and a weekend in Uxbridge so I figured it was about time to head west and check out the rockies. My roommate James and I did a bit of quick research and discovered we should plan our trip based on our experience can put up a tent equi http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/Johnston-Canyon/blog-443604.html Having left the farm in the Kootenays I headed for Banff. But lifts were harder to get than I'd found previously and I only made it as far as Revelstoke on the first day. This was a fairly small town that looked like it came alive in the winter and was a big skisnowboard destination. My experience of it was a hostel full of young australians and a sports bar where I had dinner and watched Liv http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-442476.html Located in the heart of Banff National Park this wonderful mountain retreat is just one of the many travel choices you have as a member of Destinations Unlimited Colorado.Offering visitors one of the most beautiful resorts in Canada Banff Rocky Mountain Resort invites you to choose from 171 wonderful rooms all of which are beautifully decorated and range from standard suites up to condo style http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-442467.html October 1 2009A quiet day that began with a ride to the town of Banff another beautiful trip with mountain views that left us breathless. The town reminded us of Europehellipquaint shops lining streets that sit at the base of mountains that stand like giant sentrieshellipbut my goodness how expensive things were. Donna and I had an interesting experience in the grocery store. We were trying http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-441653.html Johnston Canyon and Moraine LakeTwinningThe National Parks people and the government of Canada know that one of the major draws to the Canadian Rockies and the national parklands is the chance for people to see wildlife. So it's a worry that the reproduction rate of some of the big animals has been dropping. In response there are efforts to buttress up the wildlife habitats and educate people on http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/Johnston-Canyon/blog-441633.html September 29 2009From The Bloggers Without BordersldquoRocky Mountain Highrdquo After driving all day we arrived at our destination in Banff National Park. The ride from Shelby to the border was about 40 miles. The Canadian border guard looked like a 6 year old with a pony tail but she was a feisty onehellipnot at all funny like our friend from the U.S. border who called us hippies. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-441601.html Why Lake LouiseOnce upon a time a newly married couple were having breakfast in a tiny motel dining room overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Diamond Headmdashin AUSTRALIA a bit north of Myall Lakes. Though the view out the large picture window was the main attention getter on one small patch of wall there was a gorgeous poster of Lake Louise in British Columbia Canada. ldquoI was there once http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-441397.html ron silverron silverjessica langeeli manning wifelittle dorritcherry jonesmichael crichtonken howardabby mcgrewarchie manningshohreh aghdashloointo the stormbryan cranstonkristin chenowethbreaking badabby manningmichael emersonemmy winners 2009tv.combreakthroughnfl scores livejohn madden biographywatch entourage season 6 episode 10cowboysgrey gardensdallas cowboy cheerleadersbob newhartbrendan gl http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/Bow-Lake/blog-440977.html This is a walk that starts from the shores of Lake Louise the trail ascends to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse Apparently you can see six glaciers from the top not something you can do everyday certainly not where we live anyway.Starting nice and easy with a stretch along the shore of the lake the trail eventually starts to climb and climb but with the promise of the teahouse as our goal http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-436052.html Today we set off for Lake Louise but our first stop would be Moraine Lake this is a glacially fed lake in Banff National Park 14 kilometres outside the Village of Lake Louise. We'd visited the lake before maybe 10 years or more ago but we knew it would be worth another look.This lake is a brilliant blue green colour that can only really be appreicted by a visit. The colour is caused by roc http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-436045.html We starting our cycle ride at the Cave and Basin hot spring in Banff which incidentaly is where the Canadian National Parks were founded by a couple of railway workers. The trail to Sundance Canyon is an 8.6km round trip. This paved route seems to be very popular with all types of people horse riders cyclists walkers and even skateboarders. This is a fairly flat trail and runs along side a http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-435323.html Today we visited a deserted coal mining town near Banff called Bankhead. The town was born supply coal for the locomotives of the Canadian Pacific Railway and at one point had over 1500 residents that's hard to believe when you see it today. Apparently Bankhead was geographically split between the massive mine site and the residential area it included a hotel school facilities pool hall a res http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-435322.html The Vermilion Lakes are a series of three picturesque lakes located immediately west of Banff. The three lakes are formed in the Bow River valley in the Banff National Park at the foot of Mount Norquay. They are located between the TransCanada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks but quite near to the town of Banff.Two things that you need to know about Vermilion Lakes is that you ca http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-435192.html Johnson Lake is a pretty little lake just near Banff this is an easy 3.5 km walk along the path around the lake. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-434914.html Coyote SitingAfter tea time we went for a short drive down the Bow Valley Parkway this is the old road that runs west out of Banff it's well known for wildlife sitings.We saw a a Coyote at a bit of a distance it stopped to look at us and then carried on about it's daily business. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-434619.html We spent 2 days in Jasper and 3 days in Banff National Parks. More beautiful scenery. Sometimes you almost get scensory overload. Both areas are very touristy. Banff had a bus system that ran right to the park so it was very easy to get into town. Canada does a great job with thier campgrounds and parks. While we were in Jasper we rode out to Magiline Canyon Medicine Lake and Magiline Cany http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-430824.html Woke up to sun and it still a bit brisk with gloves on to make the coffee this morningTent down car packed dog walked...off for another journey...drove to Mouraine Lake this morning and once again cars cars cars campers campers campers and no place to park drove around once and drove right back out WOW Tourist everywhere from so many different places all taking in the beauty of t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-429462.html A very brisk morningOff to Banff to hike Sulpher Mountain. Lots of switchbacks. Went from 5200 ft. To 7484 ft a total distance one way 5.5 km. The hike was moderate to strenuous still not used to the elevation. Otis and I took our time and met some lovely folks along the way. Otis is such a trooper he just keeps on going and going and only laid down while I had lunch at the top. It sta http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-429022.html Had a late start slept in until 11 am A very quiet campgroundAfter talking to one of the camp rangers I headed up to Lake Louise where I spent almost hour driving around to find a parking space lots and lots and lots of people. Hiked walked leisurely up to the 6 Plains Glaciers. The hike started gently along Lake Louise. Quite a bit of switchbacks across the mountain. Forgot about http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Banff-National-Park/blog-429020.html