5. The Spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains

Day 11 - Sunday, July 30, 2000

We left the RJR Ranch at 9:30 AM and headed north on US 93 for the short drive to the Canadian border. Canadian entry was not a problem. The courteous official was very professional, inquiring about firearms, weapons, gifts, drugs, and commercial samples. We cleared customs in less than 5 minutes and continued north to the scenic Provincial Highway (PH) 95, which brought us to PH 93 at Radium Hot Springs. PH 93 then winds through the beautiful Kootenay National Park.

Kootenay and Banff National Parks Photos

The paint pots. Cold, iron-rich mineral springs bubble up through small pools, staining the earth a deep ochre. Used by Indians as a source of paint.

A thundering fall at the end of the Marble Canyon

View from one of the three Vermillion Lakes near Banff.

Lower Falls in the Johnston Canyon (a short hike from our campground for the night)

Stopped at the Johnston Canyon campground to claim a site, US$ 11.33 for a reasonably private and level spot. Continued on 1A to Banff and tried out the hot springs there. Banff is a very pretty spa, quite crowded with heavy traffic. But worth a visit - if only to help imagine how beautiful a place it must be in the winter.

We drove 275 miles and were on the road for 9 hours.

Day 12 - Monday, July 31, 2000

Headed out at 9:45 AM. Beautiful sunshine, 54F. The night's low was 51F - a pleasant and quiet night.

Our first stop on 1A northbound was Lake Louise - the view of the lake was superb.

The drive to Jasper is one of those great experiences that one will never forget. The side trip to Moraine Lake, and then the Bow Valley Parkway (PH 1A) are a pleasure to drive, and the sights along the way are simply spectacular.

Lake Moraine

 

Peyto Lake, near Bow Summit

Mistaya Canyon

Along the Icefields Parkway (Route #93)

Athabasca Falls

Stopped at the Provincial Jasper-Whistler campground and got a comfortable site (without hook-ups) for US$ 11.33. Then drove into town for a pleasant dinner at Papa George, a very enjoyable restaurant right on the main street.

We drove 220 miles, were on the road for 10 hours, and bought gas at about US$ 2.39/gal.

Day 13 - Tuesday, August 1, 2000

We retraced our route to Lake Louise, with stops, hikes, and photo opportunities along the way. One should really plan trips so that scenic mountain roads are traveled in both directions, at differing times of the day. Jumped on to the Trans Canada Highway there and drove through Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park, and Mount Revelstoke National Park to the town of Revelstoke. Revelstoke has a fairly decent railroad museum, which I (of course) could not pass up.

Got a site at the very neat Revelstoke KOA for US$18.19. Bought gasoline at US$ 1.864/gal. Was on the road for 9 1/2 hours and drove 300 miles.

Took lots of photos along the way

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Bow Lake

More Bow Lake

and once more, Bow Lake

and - for the last two times - Bow Lake

Crowfoot Glacier - at the end of Bow Lake ;-)

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park

Day 14 - Wednesday, August 2, 2000

The Revelstoke KOA offered a pancake breakfast - all you can eat - and I took them up on it. Delicious pancakes, with a side order of bacon. A great way to start the day.

Although the Trans Canada Highway continues as a designated "scenic highway," the next sections just can't come close to matching what we've seen the last few days. The stetch to Salmon Arm is OK, but scenic beauty sort of waned after Kamloops. Tried side roads such as PH 5A and saw some lovely mountain lakes.

Got lost on the way to Richmond and ended up at the wrong side of Vancouver. Worked our way through the city - heavy traffic and some interesting views, and in the end did manage to find Richmond and the Richmond RV Park Campground. Reasonably good bathhouse, parking lot-type setting, a lot of air traffic to the nearby Vancouver airport. US$ 14.45 for a level site with water, electricity, and picnic table.

A lot of driving today - 448 miles and 10 3/4 hours on the road.

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