From Jasper, we headed down the Icefields Parkway to Yoho and Banff National Parks. The 140 mile drive through the mountains has to be one of the more dramatic drives we have done. Even with a cloud cover, the mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and rivers provided plenty of awe inspiring beauty. I can only imagine what must it look like on a clear day!
We had done a lot of hiking and biking in Jasper so by the time we got to Yoho, we were looking for some more sedate activities. That and there were just as many tourists as in Jasper. So, we decided to be tourists too.
We did the classic Lake Louise stop and strolled by the lakeside. We also walked the trail beside Moraine Lake and did a quick stop at Emerald Lake too. They looked just like all of the postcard pictures you see, too perfect to be real.
left and below: Lake Louise
I really wanted the family to see Lake O’hara. In 1993, I did a backpacking trip to the area and the group did a side trip to Lake O’hara. I remember it being the most beautiful place I had ever seen. I told people about it for years and was hoping to go there on this trip. But, once again, we were foiled by the tourists.
left and below: Emerald Lake
The Lake has restricted access and you must make a reservation months in advance to take a bus into the park. With our unpredictable type of travel, we can’t make reservations of any kind. So, when we checked into it, the bus was booked until the end of the season! Oh well, maybe next time.
Our campsite was in a valley with towering peaks on both sides. There was no snow on the peaks when we arrived but the first morning after our arrival, they were dusted in white. Winter was catching up with us. I was surprised that there was no snow at the campsite as we were dressed in 3 layers the whole time we were there.
following: Moraine Lake
And, although the setting for the campsite was amazing, it was also situated near the freeway and railroad tracks. So, the calm of the mountains was continually disrupted by the noise of trucks and trains.
above: The peak next to our campsite.
Since we were being chased by winter and overwhelmed by the tourists, we decided it was time to head south. The Canadian Rockies are definitely something to put on your bucket list but, you have to be willing to share them with everyone else on the planet.
above: Sun setting on the peak next to our campsite the night before we left.
“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” Paul Theroux