Montana Idaho: Banff To Lake Louise
Montana Idaho: Banff To Lake Louise
Montana Idaho: Banff To Lake Louise
Banff
National Park
Lake Louise
Castle Mountain
Vermillion Lakes
that takes in the mighty Castle Mountain, pristine Vermillion Lakes and a variety
of peaks, lakes, waterfalls and glaciers. Still traveling in sub-alpine terrain,
youll arrive at one of the worlds most treasured sights: Lake Louise and the
Banff Gondola
Banff
historic chateau that shoulders the lake, framed perfectly by mountains, glaciers
and forests.
Points of Interest
1. Town of Banff
from hiking to golf in the summer and from skiing to dog sledding
castle. Over the years, its guest list has been filled with royalty,
3. Banff Gondola
Just 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) from downtown Banff, this large
5. Vermillion Lakes
One of the oldest known sites of human occupation in Canada
6. Castle Mountain
Named by James Hector in 1858, from his expedition notes that
described a most remarkable mountain, which looks exactly like a
giant castle. Castle Mountain stretches along a ridge for nearly 16
kilometres.
Idaho
Parkway Features
Montana
Designed for leisurely sightseeing, the highway parallels the Main Ranges of the Canadian Rockies within Banff and
Jasper national parks. Visitors literally ride the backbone of the continent. A stunning panorama of peaks greets travelers around every corner, many over 3,300 metres or 11,000 feet.
Waterfowl Lakes
Mistaya Lake
Peyto Lake
Banff
National Park
As you wind upwards along the parkway, youll pass outstanding viewpoints at Herbert
Lake and Hector Lake, the first of seven parkway hostels at Mosquito Creek, and the
Crowfoot Glacier
spectacular toe of ice known as Crowfoot Glacier. Bow Lake, with Num-ti-jah Lodge on its
north shore, is another dont-miss stop, along with Bow Summit the highest point on
Hector Lake
the parkway. The stage finishes with the awe-inspiring view of Peyto Lake, its robins egg
Lake Louise
Points of Interest
Banff
2. Morraine Lake
One of the most visited and photographed lakes in the world, Lake
Known for its unbelievable aquamarine blue water and famed for
Louise. First called Emerald Lake, the lakes name was later
points along the hike that leads from a well-marked parking lot.
4. Hector Lake
the eastern slopes facing the lake, is known for its summer
gets its beautiful colour from the rock flour suspended in the water.
5. Crowfoot Glacier
Named because in the early 1900s it had three toes resembling
the foot of a crow. In the 1930s, the lower toe broke off and has
since melted away. Crowfoot Glacier is on the south end of Bow
Lake, nestled into Crowfoot Mountain.
Parkway Features
Glimpse mountain wildlife in their natural setting, including bighorn sheep and mountain goat, black bear, elk and
moose. If youre lucky, you might even see a grizzly bear, gray wolf, or the elusive woodland caribou.
Idaho
Mont
h
bia
Highlights include Snowbird Glacier, Waterfowl Lakes, the massive Mount Cephren
(known as The Black Pyramid), frequent sightings of moose and black bears, and the
Saskatchewan Crossing
Warden Station
4
3
Mount Cephren
Bow Summit
Peyto Lake
Bow Lake
Points of Interest
1. Peyto Lake
2. Bow Sumnmit
At 2,088 metres (6,800 feet) above sea level, the highest point on
Rockies. The lake was named for an early outfitter, Wild Bill
the drive from Banff to Jasper, and the highest elevation crossed by
Peyto. Located just over the Bow Summit at a high point along the
Hector Lake
3. Mount Cephren
4. Waterfowl Lake
The picturesque end of a steep downward incline into the Mistaya
5. Warden Station
Open on a seasonal basis from May through October, the warden
station at Saskatchewan Crossing is an excellent first stop if you
are planning hiking adventures in the area. Route information,
climbing conditions, weather reports, logbook entries and
voluntary check-in and check-out are among the services offered
here. Park wardens, who are usually outdoor adventurers
themselves, are excellent sources for information and advice.
Parkway Features
Stretch your legs on a mountain trail. Follow the short paths to Peyto Lake Viewpoint or the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier. Hardier
souls will enjoy the alpine trail up Parker Ridge for a glimpse of the magnificent Saskatchewan Glacier. Enduring memories,
worth every step.
Columbia Icefield
Parkers Ridge
Abraham Lake
Weeping Wall
Rising in the Rockies and emptying into Lake Winnipeg, its extensive corridor
provided a major east-west link across Canada, facilitating exploration, trade, and
settlement for more than 100 years from the time explorers and fur traders first
travelled through the area in 1807.
Saskatchewan Crossing
Points of Interest
vvtish
mbia
Waterfowl Lakes
2. Weeping Wall
The mighty North Saskatchewan River meets with two other rivers,
rivers. Rising in the Rockies and emptying into Lake Winnipeg, its
called Teardrop.
Mistaya Lake
Peyto Lake
Bow Lake
4. Parkers Ridge
Almost at the midpoint of the Icefields Parkway, this trail is 5.9
kilomtres (3.7 miles) long a 2-hour hike rising 250 metres (820
feet). It is a popular hike, so the best timing is early or late in the
day. Somewhat lackluster at the start, the trail is all about
destination. Once you crest the ridge, youre treated to spectacular
mountain and valley scenery, dominated by the Saskatchewan
Glacier, the largest of the Columbia Icefields six main glaciers.
Glacier and ice-clad peaks surround you Athabasca, Andromeda,
Castleguard just to name a few.
Parkway Features
Stretch your legs on a mountain trail. Follow the short paths to Peyto Lake Viewpoint or the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier. Hardier
souls will enjoy the alpine trail up Parker Ridge for a glimpse of the magnificent Saskatchewan Glacier. Enduring memories,
worth every step.
Columbia Icefields
Athabasca Glacier
2
Welcome Centre
Campground
Columbia Icefield
Glacier Excursion
For safety reasons, you do not want to venture onto a glacier alone, which is why a variety
of tour choices await you at these magnificent icefields. Creep over the snow of the
Athabasca Glacier in a Snobus, or arrange a helicopter tour and take in the full vastness
and splendor of the many glaciers that make up the Columbia Icefields.
Columbia Icefield
Points of Interest
1. Columbia Icefield Centre
2. Athabasca Glacier
walking distance of the parkway, and visitors can tour the glacier
peaked roof, the centre houses an exhibit hall called the Glacier
ritish
umbia
1 kilometre wide.
Parkway Features
Touch a glacier. Wander through an alpine meadow. Come upon a mountain lake thats truly robins egg blue. The parkway
offers an A-list of outdoor adventures, from cycle touring and camping under the stars, to the best of Rocky Mountain hiking,
climbing and whitewater rafting. Once the snow flies, theres cross-country and backcountry skiing, ice climbing, and for the
most intrepid adventurer, winter camping.
Information
Centre
Tramway
Jasper Townsite
5
4
Athabasca Falls
Malign Lake
Along the way, youll pass the cascading Tangle Falls, Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca
Falls, the towering pinnacle of Mt. Kitchener, the fascinating Kerkeslin Goat Lick,
Jasper
National Park
bubbling springs, crystal clear lakes and rivers, and countless more photo-worthy sights.
Finally, returning to below the treeline, youll arrive in Jasper, the tranquil mountain town
where more travel adventure awaits.
Columbia Icefield
Points of Interest
Saskatc
2. Maligne Lake
British
Columbia
4. Athabasca Falls
The Athabasca carries the most water of any Rocky Mountain river,
required to stay.
water, spray, and mist. Although the falls are not very high by
Canadian Rockies standards, the size of the river puts them
national parks.
5. Jasper Tramway
The longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada. Along
the 7-minute ride up, the tram rises more than 3,000 feet and take
in views of six mountain ranges, glacier-fed lakes and the
7. Town of Jasper
above sea level, visitors can see ptarmigan, pikas and the
stay in the rustic charm of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. With a
prestigious place on the Conde Nast Gold List and a golf resort
ranked #1 by SCOREGolf, this four-season lusury resort is a
Washington
Idaho
Wate
The Icefields Parkway offers you a rare opportunity to glimpse mountain wildlife in their natural
setting. This is a place where gray wolves and grizzly bear still roam valley to valley, over huge
distances. Where black bear and elk feed quietly by the roadside. A place where bighorn sheep
and mountain goat may vie for your attention, sometimes from the middle of the parkway. Here, you
can still see moose wander down to the Waterfowl Lakes or Rampart Pond for an evening drink,
sometimes with a calf in tow. And if youre lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the elusive woodland
caribou as they travel from the river flats to the highcountry in search of tree lichens and solitude.
The season you visit will determine what wildlife youre most likely to see, as many animals migrate
from the montane valley bottoms to high alpine and back again, in a predictable, yearly round. Keep
these tips in mind as you explore the parkway wildlands:
Be particularly alert in the early morning and evening, when many animals are most active
and visibility may be reduced.
Scan the parkway and slopes for animal movement or shining eyes at night. And remember,
when you see one animal, others are probably close by.
Be sure to drive within the speed limit, so you dont miss a sighting. Always be ready to
slow down with little warning. Pull over on the road shoulder only if its safe to do so.
Animals are less likely to run out of view if you stay in your vehicle. Keep your binoculars
and telephoto lens handy theyre the safest way to get a closer look.
If you see a bear, consider not stopping. Its safer for the animals, and helps prevent a
serious animal jam the Rockies version of a traffic jam caused by motorists all stopping at
once to observe wildlife.
Mountain goat and bighorn sheep are often spotted in spring and summer on the high cliffs and
meadows near Saskatchewan River Crossing, Sunwapta Canyon, and Mt. Kerkeslin in the
Athabasca Valley. Fortunately, both species make regular forays down from their alpine haunts
to lick mineral rich soil on either side of the parkway where visitors often confuse the two.
Heres what to look for: mountain goats have shaggy, white coats, beards, and short, black
horns. Bighorns are sandy brown not white like a goat with a creamy coloured rump patch.
Bighorn rams, best seen in fall and winter in the valleys, carry massive curled horns they keep
for life, growing a new ring each year. Female ewes and their lambs have short, slender horns.
Your chances of seeing these magnificent creatures are best in early spring, and again in late
summer. Black bears are often seen foraging in the valley bottoms between Hector Lake and
Bow Lake, and in the lower Athabasca Valley near the town of Jasper. In spring, be sure to scan
Bow Pass, Sunwapta Pass, and avalanche slopes along the route, as these are prime grizzly
habitat offering early spring bulbs, fresh greens and some of the best wildlife watching in Banff
and Jasper national parks. Although grizzlies spend their summers in the alpine, they will rejoin
black bears in the valley when the buffalo berries ripen in late August.
Its easy to mistake a black bear for a grizzly, and you cant go by colour since black bears arent
always black they can be cinnamon or brown as well, often with a white chest patch. Grizzly
bears are larger than black bears, with a distinctive hump of muscle above their shoulders, and
brown fur with blonde tips giving a grizzled or silver-tipped look. A grizzlys face is slightly
concave or dished in profile, whereas a black bear has a straight, tan muzzle.
Jasper is the last fully protected range in the Rocky Mountains for woodland caribou, a long time
symbol of Canadian wilderness, now considered to be a species at risk. Your best bet to see the
elusive caribou is in winter and early spring, feeding near the Sunwapta River flats between
Beauty Creek and Jonas Creek.
Caribou are smaller than an elk, and have a brown coat with creamy coloured patches on their
neck, rump and belly. While both males and females carry antlers, the large, swooping rack of
the bull caribou is truly regal and distinctive. If youre not quite sure how to recognize a caribou,
have a quick look at the Canadian 25-cent coin. The woodland caribou has been featured on the
quarter for more than 65 years.
The Icefields Parkway is one of the great scenic wonders of North America, a dramatic landscape of
magnificent peaks, ancient glaciers, and lakes of liquid jade. Here, travelers enter a silent, vertical
world, home to some of the highest and most striking mountains in the Canadian Rockies. Blessed
with a natural beauty that inspires and rejuvenates, the Icefields Parkway is a journey well worth
making.
Ride the backbone of the continent the crest of the Rocky Mountains where rivers come to
a parting of their ways, flowing west to the Pacific, or east to the Atlantic.
Designed for leisurely sightseeing, the parkway parallels the main ranges of the Canadian
Rockies within Banff and Jasper national parks. A stunning panorama of peaks greets
travelers around every corner, many over 3,300 metres or 11,000 feet.
Glimpse Mt. Columbia the highest summit in Alberta, the second highest in the Rockies
and Mt. Forbes, the tallest tower that lies within Banff National Park. Uplifted over millions of
years, the rugged peaks of the parkway hold the Earths history within their rocky layers.
View the spectacular collection of glacier-clad peaks that encircle the Columbia Icefields,
including Mt. Athabasca, North Twin, Mt. Andromeda, and Mt. Kitchener. Be sure to take in
the Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint, where a leading edge of the icefield spills over a cliff on
Stutfield Peak in a dramatic pair of icefalls. Each of these bastions is a natural wonder; all are
renowned in climbing circles.
Explore the Mistaya, Saskatchewan and Athabasca Valleys, where classic main range
mountains stand shoulder to shoulder as far as the eye can see, a palette of purplish slate, shale,
and quartzite in pinks and reds. Marvel at the chiseled pyramid of Mt. Cephren, looming in all its
majesty over Lower Waterfowl Lake. Witness the dramatic synclines of Cirrus Mountain and Mt.
Kerkeslin, and the castle-like towers of Mt. Hector, Bow Peak and Mt. Saskatchewan.
Escape to a mountain world studded with massive icefields and over 100 alpine glaciers,
from which the parkway takes its name. Easily viewed from the road, these masses of pale
blue ice are living remnants from the last Ice Age master carvers that continue to chisel the
peaks that inspire us today.
Keep an eye out for the Waputik Icefield at the head of Hector Lake, and the Wapta Icefield
above Bow Lake. What you see from the road is the just the edge of the icefields. Popular with ski
mountaineers, these immense blankets of ice extend unseen for many kilometres, into Yoho
National Park in British Columbia.
Experience the Columbia Icefield, the largest reservoir of ice and snow in the Rocky Mountains,
its meltwater feeding three of the continents major river systems. At 200 square kilometres, its
about the size of our national capital the city of Ottawa and roughly the same area as
Washington D.C. Researchers say that at its deepest point this massive sea of moving ice would
easily cover the Eiffel Tower, or all 102 stories of the Empire State Building.
Straddling the Great Divide, and extending into Alberta and British Columbia, the icefield is
nourished by 8 metres or 26 feet of snow per year. Winter after winter, more snow piles up than
can possibly melt during the short summer season. Over many years, the snow compacts into
ice, until its thick enough to creep downhill under its own weight. Its not an icefield, or a glacier,
until it moves albeit slower than a snails pace.
Most of the Columbia Icefield is hidden beyond the mountains, visible only to mountain
climbers or those with a birds-eye view. The core icefield feeds six outlet glaciers that spill out
from between the mountains like the arms of an octopus. Of these, three can be seen from the
parkway: the Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier, and the Athabasca.
Discover the Athabasca Glacier up close, as it comes within walking distance of the parkway.
This alone has earned it a reputation as the most accessible, most famous, and most studied
glacier in North America. Visitors have the opportunity to venture safely onto the middle of the
Athabasca during Brewsters unforgettable Ice Age Adventure, a 90 - minute guided journey on
all-terrain vehicles specially designed for glacier travel.
DAY 7 Calgary
Choose an afternoon or evening transfer to Calgary city centre or the International
Airport to conclude your vacation.
This vacation is also available in moderate accommodation.
Mountain Pathways Self-Drive
Calgary-Banff-Jasper-Lake Louise
6 days/5 nights
The Rockies are one huge natural high. This is a region so full of beauty and wonder, of
spectacular waterfalls and tiny wildflowers, of charming towns and friendly people. There
are endless opportunities for recreation, contemplation and discovery. Explore historic
sites, relax in steaming mineral pools, ride a horse and walk on a glacier. All that and
more in the magnificent Canadian Rockies!
VACATION FEATURES: 5 nights hotel accommodation, mid-size vehicle, Banff
Gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Lake Minnewanka cruise, Columbia Icefield Glacier
Experience, Jasper Skytram, Brewster Documentation Package and National Park
vehicle entrance fee.
DAY 1 Banff
Upon arrival into Calgary, pick up your rental vehicle, then take some time to explore the
city before you make the short (2-hour) drive from Calgary to Banff on either the TransCanada Highway or the more scenic 1A Highway.
DAY 2 Banff
A full day to explore Banff and area. In town you'll find lots of excitement - shopping,
cafes, nightlife, museums. Take a cruise on Lake Minnewanka, take a ride up Sulphur
Mountain on the Banff Gondola that will lift you high over Banff for an incredible
panoramic view and then take a dip in the hot mineral pools at the newly-renovated
Upper Hot Springs.
DAY 3 Jasper
Another great day in the Rockies - Banff to Jasper along the amazing Icefields Parkway.
You're sure to be enthralled by the scenery, wildlife, incredible blue lakes and sparkling
waterfalls en route. Stop for a self-guided interpretive walk at Peyto Lake. Don't miss the
Columbia Icefield Visitor Centre and a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier on board a
Brewster Ice Explorer before continuing your journey.
DAY 4 Jasper
Explore Jasper, a charming mountain village close to many terrific scenic highlights.
Take a tram ride up Whistlers mountain, take a boat cruise on Maligne Lake*, soak in
the pools at Miette Hot Springs, watch the sunset over Pyramid and Patricia lakes.
DAY 5 Lake Louise
Return along the Icefield Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise. There are plenty of
outdoor activities here - rent a canoe, take a lakeside stroll or a longer hike, horseback
riding - or simply relax and contemplate the lake's remarkable colour!
DAY 6 Calgary
Return to Calgary to drop off your rental vehicle and complete your Rockies vacation.
High Country Motorcoach Vacation
Calgary-Banff-Lake Louise-Jasper
5 days/4 nights
We'll take you to the high country of Alberta's rocky mountains in the luxury of a
motorcoach. Getaway to unspoiled lakes, admire majestic towering peaks, and stay in
the popular resorts of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. The highlight of this vacation is the
Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular mountain highways in the world. Follow
over 100 glaciers and watch for mountain wildlife.
VACATION FEATURES: 4 nights accommodation, Brewster Luxury Motorcoach with
driver/guide, Jasper Tramway or Discover Jasper Excursion, Columbia Icefield Glacier
Excursion, Discover Banff Excursion, Lake Minnewanka Tour & Cruise, Cave & Basin
National Historic Site Admission, Banff Gondola Admission, Lake Louise to Calgary
transfer and hotel porterage.
DAY 1 Banff
A morning departure from Calgary for your guided excursion to Banff includes stops at
the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and a ride up Banff Gondola.
DAY 2 Banff
Today, take a short tour to Lake Minnewanka for a 90 minute boat cruise. The rest of
day is at leisure.
DAY 3 Jasper
Tour the most scenic mountain highway in the world - the Icefields Parkway on your way
to Jasper National Park. Included is a ride on Brewster's all-terrain Ice Explorer on the
Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields. (April 15 to October 15). From the Icefield
is a short but spectacular drive to Jasper - arriving late afternoon.
DAY 4 Lake Louise
Enjoy a morning at the Jasper Tramway or take an excursion to Maligne Canyon. In the
afternoon, retrace your route along the Icefield Parkway to Lake Louise.
DAY 5 Calgary
Choose a morning, afternoon or evening coach transfer to Calgary city centre or the
International Airport to complete your High Country Vacation.