Hello everyone,
Traveling with Class C to Jasper and Banff. Is there any good advise on what to see or what not to waste my time. Traveling July 2-27 and like to the following: Lake Louise Columbia Ice field Glacier and parkway, Town of Banff and Jasper,Peyto lake and Banff Chateau Hotel. I am stopping at Edmonton and hope to make it there in 5 1/2 days from West Palm Beach Florida. then to Jasper and Banff. Like to know of a good hiking trip for Jasper and Banff which may include a short trip for my young one of 6 years old and places for great photography of wildlife and natural landscapes.
Do some research on the “Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse”. We did it and really enjoyed it. Didn't think it was a bad hike and the views are great. Had apple pie straight from the oven.
The climb to Peyto Lake can be exhausting because of altitude, but it is a very easy paved path. Take the tram up the mountain just before you get into Jasper. I think the campground near there is Whistler, but not sure. Take the drive out to Malinge Lake (sp?) (outside of Jasper) and ride the boat on the beautiful lake. There are many stops along the Icefields Parkway, including a very nice waterfall area where you can walk along the paths and overlooks. Great photography is everywhere. Keep your camera ready along the Icefields Parkway for wildlife near the road, including bears and moose.
Hi,
We wrote all about our trip on our travel blog - exactly where you're heading - check out the link below - there's an index to help you search, or go look back at the July/August posts. We wrote about the campgrounds, hikes, places to eat, etc....
We visited Banff, Jasper and Yoho last summer with our kids ages 5, 9, 11 and 14. We don't have a trip log per say, but our trip photos from our website show in order all of the hikes and other activites that we did. Hope this gives you some ideas.
Wow, Alan, I thought your Watchman photos were amazing. You can make the Rockies look great in bad weather...how do you do that? You must have one kick-butt camera!
We did Jasper with the kids a couple of years ago and my son really loved the Jasper Tramway up to the top of Whistlers Mountain. It was mid-June and snowing up there, which was pretty interesting! We stayed at the Whistlers campground in the park, which was great. We did the Icefield Parkway and did the tour of the Columbia Icefield and went to Athabasca Falls - it was all great and not to be missed.
We did Banff years back. It was very busy then, and from what I hear, it's even worse now. It's pretty there and the campgrounds are nice with elk EVERYWHERE. There's lots of great hiking, but I am not sure I'd do it with a 6 year old. I'd be too afraid of bears on the trails. We don't hike here in the BC backcountry anymore because of our small kids. We're more afraid of cougars than bears, but the bears scare us enough to stay off the trails. To each their own, though - chances are, you won't encounter a bear. We're just spooked because we encountered a grizzly on one of our backcountry hikes near Hells Gate, BC...so we've been traumatized! ha ha!
Have a great time!
Paula
Larry, Paula and Two Kids (ages 6 & 4)
2006 Dodge Ram Power Wagon
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 20BH
Whistlers campsite in Jasper is great. Take the tram to the top of the mountain, great views. Take a drive out to Mt. Edith Cavelle and hike up to Angel glacier. We did this about 15 years ago when ours kids were about the age of yours and they loved it. We didn't spend much time in Banff, too many tourists and busses. Take a drive down through Kananaskis Country, we stayed in Peter Lougheed Provincial park (interlakes campsite) they had miles of bike paths between campsites and the views are breath taking. You are already planning the Columbia Ice field Parkway drive, this is a MUST see.
Enjoy
1 husband 2 grown kids 1 dog (Wallace)
2002 Chevy Silverado 3/4 ton H/D ext cab short box
2001 Jayco Qwest 270C
krev wrote: Whistlers campsite in Jasper is great.
As a note, Whistlers is an Elk calving area. When we stayed there in late June last year, there were Elk every where but particularly concentrated in the back half (closest to the mountain). They seemed to ignore all of the camping activity but remember that they are wild animals and can easily injure or even kill humans. Do not approach, do not feed! Do take lots of pictures
We also went to Banff/Jasper last July. We really loved it and had a great time. Hopefully for you the exchange rate will be better this summer than it was last year (and gas prices). Rather than staying in Banff, we stayed in the Kananaskis Valley, which is especially beautiful. It was a bit of a drive to get into Banff, but it was a quieter place. We stayed at Mt. Kidd. It is well worth the drive to Banff, however it is very difficult to get a reservation. You have to call when they open up their reservation window. I would highly recommend the spot though. We also stayed at Whistlers in Jasper. We thought it was great. It is huge however, the way it is set up, it doesn't seem big. The town is wonderful. There is a really neat small hike up a mountain right out of town and you can see 360 degrees of the area of Jasper and the Athabasca River. It starts right across a bridge where the rafters leave from. Your kids would love it and the view can't be beat.
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