Hello everyone, We are in the process of planning a 14 day RV trip with a 25' Class C motor home (rented from Cruise Canada in Calgary). The trip would start and end in Calgary and we would like to visit Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. We were wondering if anyone had any itineraries, camp grounds, activities they could provide us as a starting point in our planning process. We plan on travelling during the first 2 weeks of June 2010. Thank you for your assistance.
The first two weeks of June in the Rockies can be beautiful or plumb nasty! So your planning should include clothing to meet some pretty cool days and some fairly warm days. Itinerary - depends on what lifestyle you are into; hiking, backpacking or more just sightseeing? More detail there would hewlp the many knowledgeable folks here help you out.
John
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
I believe it was in Jasper where we took the tram through the clouds to the top of a mountain and then walked to the ice covered peak, for one of the most awe inspiring sights. Also rode horses to the tea house behind Lake Louise-again, just fantastic. Enjoy your trip!
We spent the last two weeks of June there last year. We stayed at (in order) Bow Valley Provincial Park, Whistlers (Jasper), Wilcox (Jasper) and Lake Louise (Banff). Snow (on the ground) in the high country definitely affected our hiking throughout our trip. If you are staying close to the road, it shouldn't affect you very much. The scenery is awesome. If you go to our website, you can see what our itinerary was from the photos that we have posted there. We did a lot of hiking and hit a few hot springs. I'd recommend the boat ride to Spirit Island on Malinge Lake for anyone. Enjoy your trip, it's a gorgeous place...
Cruiserjs is right, give us a little more info on your interests.
The first two weeks of June is early in the higher areas. You might consider heading to Jasper first as it is lower and should be more advanced even though further north. A few days can make a big difference in conditions although it could also bring more snow. Radium, south end of Kootenay will also be more advanced.
If you extend your itinerary a bit furthur south you can include the Waterton Lakes NP,Some nice campgrounds in the area . Waterton lake National Park.
* This post was
edited 05/04/09 10:01am by jambo101 *
"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."
On day one you will need to check out the Rv etc. so don't plan on going very far. I suggest getting a two nite reservation at Bow River's Edge Cg at Cochrane. Nice folks and convenient to get into the city. This gives you time to get acquainted with the MH equipment and operation. I suggest that on day 2 you visit the Calgary area (incidentally - my home town) When you are finished with the city ( lots of things to do here - e.g. Calgary Zoo is first class, Fort Calgary for an history lesson, Heritage Park for more history) head west on the TCH. About halfway to Banff, we have stayed in Bow River Provincial Park. From there take a day to drive south to see/enjoy Kananaskis Country.
Once on the TCH head west into Banff NP. I prefer to use the cg at Lake Louise for our base from which to explore but a lot of people use Tunnel Mountain cg - basically in the town of Banff. You could stay there and explore and then move to Lake Louise for more exploring. Highlights from Banff town - Lake Minnewanka/Two Jack lake loop; Cave and basin historic site; Banff park museum on Main Street; the Luxton Museum. Between Banff and L. Louise be sure to take highway 1A - Bow River parkway for the best scenery and best chance for wildlife - sheep, elk, and bears).
Lake Louise tours - the lakeitself with some easy hikes - Tea House etc; Moraine lake; Take a day to go west to Yoho NP and to Takkakkaw Falls, Emerald lake, the Spiral Tunnels) part way down the hill to Field. Another great full day's trip is to come back east to the Castle Mountain junction and take #93 into Kootenay NP. Take the walk up Marble Canyon, stop at Numa Falls, the Kootenay River/valley overlook and the hot springs at Radium. From the town of Radium go north on 95 to the TCH at Golden and east back to L. Louise. If you choose this side trip you can do the Yoho - falls and Emerald Lake on your way back to the cg. At L. Louise - the views from the top of the ski area chairlift are worth while.
Now you are ready to head up the Icefields Parkway (#93) to Jasper.
All along the Icefields Parkway the scenery/sights to stop and admire are too many to try to list only a few highlights; Crowfoot glacier - when I was a boy the third leg was still there! My dad had a picture of that. Now - even the second leg is about to disappear! At Bow Lake take a few minutes to check out the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and learn some park history via the story of Jimmy Simpson. A little further up - at Bow Summit (the highest point on the parkway) take the short drive/walk to see Peyto Lake (one of my personal favorites). Of course the Icefields visitor center demands a stop- even consider a ride onto the glacier; Sunwapta falls; Athabasca falls are highlights.
At Jasper - tour to Maligne lake- boat trip to Spirit Island; Mt. Edith Cavell; a short drive to Diamond Lake; visit the Jasper Muse, go west into BC to the viewpoint for Mt.Robson (the highest peak in Canada outside of the Yukon).
I've lost track of the number of days but from Jasper back to Calgary there are basically two options - east to Edmonton ( one of Canada's top tourist draws is the West Edmonton Mall!) with an o/night at Spruce Grove (cg there is closest to the Mall), then south to Calgary.
The more scenic is to turn south at Hinton and take highway 40 all the way down to the Trans-Canada near cochrane and then into Calgary.
If you still have time on your rental the dinosaur Museum/Badlands near Drumheller can be a worthwhile day.
Just enjoy my "home" territory (in spite of my signature) Pm me if you have questions.
John
There is a nice campground near Johnstons canyon(sp?) In banff that gives you a awsome hike to a couple set of water falls with some of the hike on a cat walk extending from the side of the mountains. Just try not to go on a weekend too many people.
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