2013-23 Kootenay National Park & Banff National Park, Canada
Hello All,
After a nights rest in Kalispell, Mt, we continued north on US-93 into Canada. After crossing the border we continued to follow CN-93 north to Kootenay National Park.
This was our first trip to Kootenay National Park, and to say we were disappointed would be an understatement! Normally, it would have been a wonderful place to visit. But, between 1993 and 2003 the park suffered a major infestation of the mountain pine beetle. About 75% of the lodgepole pines in the area were dead. As you can imagine, dead trees don’t make for lush green forests. Nor do they make for good landscape pictures as demonstrated in the following photo.
After a nights rest in Kalispell, Mt, we continued north on US-93 into Canada. After crossing the border we continued to follow CN-93 north to Kootenay National Park.
This was our first trip to Kootenay National Park, and to say we were disappointed would be an understatement! Normally, it would have been a wonderful place to visit. But, between 1993 and 2003 the park suffered a major infestation of the mountain pine beetle. About 75% of the lodgepole pines in the area were dead. As you can imagine, dead trees don’t make for lush green forests. Nor do they make for good landscape pictures as demonstrated in the following photo.
However, it was not all doom
and gloom. We did find some areas that the beetle hadn’t touched. One in
particular that we liked was Olive Lake. You could sure see how it came by its
name.
There was a lot of deadfall in
the lake. But, the water was crystal clear. We watched a number of good size
trout swimming around in it.
Leaving Kootenay National Park
we immediately entered Banff National Park. And, upon reaching Trans-Canada 1
we turned east towards our destination--Banff Village. We had a hotel room
reserved for four nights. This would be our home away from home while exploring
this gorgeous park. In our eyes, the Canadian Rocky Mountains of Alberta are
some of the most beautiful country in the world.
Trans-Canada 1 is a divided four-lane highway that takes you through the middle of Banff National Park. The highway is fenced to deter animals from straying into the traffic lanes. Huge crossings have been built over the highway to allow for migrating animals.
Trans-Canada 1 is a divided four-lane highway that takes you through the middle of Banff National Park. The highway is fenced to deter animals from straying into the traffic lanes. Huge crossings have been built over the highway to allow for migrating animals.
Some folks think that you can
drive through Jasper and Banff National Parks and see them from the highway.
That is just not possible. You could say you have been there, but, if you want
to see them you have to spend some time in the area. If they were to drive through
on a cloudy day they would have no idea what spectacular scenery is hidden in
the clouds that they were passing by.
We’ve found mid-September to be an ideal time to visit. There are fewer visitors to contend with and the weather is generally good. However, you could get hit with a fall storm. So, plan on enough time in the area so that you can wait out any inclement weather.
Here’s another tip when visiting the Canadian National Parks. Buy an annual pass at the first park you enter. You will save money over the long run. Paying day fees to enter the parks can add up quickly. The parks are so big you just can’t see them in a day. We knew we were going to spend a couple of weeks in Canada so we bought our passes at Waterton Lakes National Park. We had it covered.
Banff Village is a lovely little town in a spectacular setting and it is very touristy. However, 30 miles down the road you will find the town of Canmore, which is also in a lovely setting. The difference is that you will get a bigger bang for the buck for meals and lodging in Canmore.
It had been a number of years since our last visit to Banff so we just sat back and took it all in. It was an enjoyable drive and easy to see how the Rocky Mountain Range came upon its name.
We’ve found mid-September to be an ideal time to visit. There are fewer visitors to contend with and the weather is generally good. However, you could get hit with a fall storm. So, plan on enough time in the area so that you can wait out any inclement weather.
Here’s another tip when visiting the Canadian National Parks. Buy an annual pass at the first park you enter. You will save money over the long run. Paying day fees to enter the parks can add up quickly. The parks are so big you just can’t see them in a day. We knew we were going to spend a couple of weeks in Canada so we bought our passes at Waterton Lakes National Park. We had it covered.
Banff Village is a lovely little town in a spectacular setting and it is very touristy. However, 30 miles down the road you will find the town of Canmore, which is also in a lovely setting. The difference is that you will get a bigger bang for the buck for meals and lodging in Canmore.
It had been a number of years since our last visit to Banff so we just sat back and took it all in. It was an enjoyable drive and easy to see how the Rocky Mountain Range came upon its name.
It was early afternoon when we
arrived at Banff Village. So, after checking in at our hotel we decided to take
a couple of short scenic drives near town.
Vermilion Lakes drive is right on the edge of town. This 4 ½ mile scenic drive takes you along marsh lands and the two Vermilion Lakes. Mount Sulphur (8041’) and the amazing Mount Rundle (9672’) are the backdrops for photos. The sharp knife edge of Mount Rundle extends for 7 ½ miles.
Geologists tell us that millions of years ago a collision of tectonic plates caused an orogeny, forcing horizontal layers of an ancient ocean crust to be thrust up at an angle of 50-60 degrees. That left Mount Rundle with one sweeping, tree-lined smooth face on the west, and one sharp, jagged, steep face where the edge of the uplifted layers are exposed on the east. All we know is that it left an exceptionally scenic mountain to photograph. Here is a photo of the two mountains.
Vermilion Lakes drive is right on the edge of town. This 4 ½ mile scenic drive takes you along marsh lands and the two Vermilion Lakes. Mount Sulphur (8041’) and the amazing Mount Rundle (9672’) are the backdrops for photos. The sharp knife edge of Mount Rundle extends for 7 ½ miles.
Geologists tell us that millions of years ago a collision of tectonic plates caused an orogeny, forcing horizontal layers of an ancient ocean crust to be thrust up at an angle of 50-60 degrees. That left Mount Rundle with one sweeping, tree-lined smooth face on the west, and one sharp, jagged, steep face where the edge of the uplifted layers are exposed on the east. All we know is that it left an exceptionally scenic mountain to photograph. Here is a photo of the two mountains.
And this is the jagged knife
edged Mt. Rundle.
It is a wonderful area to get
reflection photos. Here is one we shot a few days later on a cloudy afternoon.
Our next short drive was to
Bow Falls and then a scenic loop on a gravel road known as River Road. We
discovered it on our last visit to the area. What drew us back to it was it is known
to be a good place to spot elk. And, it is only 15-minutes from town.
Bow Falls on the Bow River is within walking distance of Banff Village. So, there are always a lot of folks there enjoying it. We snapped a few photos and quickly moved on.
Bow Falls on the Bow River is within walking distance of Banff Village. So, there are always a lot of folks there enjoying it. We snapped a few photos and quickly moved on.
Driving along the river is
relaxing and quite scenic. We stopped here and there to take it all in, never
passing up the opportunity to snap a few photos.
We saw quite a few elk on the
drive. But, this bull stood out amongst them all. He was lying down and
relaxing in the sun so we spent about 20 minutes photographing him.
Every now and then he would
turn and check us out. We always stay in the car when filming wild animals—for
two reasons. One, we don’t want to disturb them and two, safety.
Elk have a four chambered stomach
and do chew cud. While we watched him he was either snoozing or chewing his
cud.
Occasionally, he would throw
his head upwards and sniff the air.
Finally, he stood up, stretched,
and then ambled off into the forest.
That was our que to amble back
to Banff Village and find some grub before calling it a day.
In our next write-up we will
continue with our adventures in Banff National Park. Hope you can take the time
to ride along with us.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns