This morning we were leaving Jasper National Park and heading to Banff National Park. We hit some great highlights during our stay, but there were many hikes that were left for another time.
We pulled out of Wapiti Campground around 10:00 a.m. and then went into the village of Jasper to fuel up the motorhome.
Eventually, we started our 145-mile trip, all of which would be within the boundaries of the two National Parks, with about half of the mileage in each.
I managed to refrain from taking photos for most of the ride, but I couldn't help myself a few times.
We arrived at the Lake Louise Trailer Campground right at the 2:00 p.m. check-in time. I made reservations a week or two ago, and got the only available site that had an electric hook-up and a firepit - Site 21.
First of all, the webpage I linked to above indicates that all 189 sites have electric, water, and sewer hook-ups. Wrong. They only have electric. There is a dump station and places to take on water.
Most of the sites are actually a pair of pull-through side-by-side sites. In other words, two RVs are parked in one wide driveway.
If we wanted our door on the picnic table side, the electrical pedestal was on the wrong side and the same was true for our neighbor. I had to use an extension cord to get to the outlet based on where we had to park to be level and not step out into a puddle.
It's a strange set-up. The campground is also close to a railroad track and there is a lot of construction going on in and around the campground, so it's certainly not the quietest place in the world.
Though we had a firepit, it was sitting in a puddle. The firewood was free to help prevent importation of beetles, and someone had left a little under our picnic table. We noticed almost no beetle damage to the evergreens in Banff while Jasper was devastated in several areas.
After getting settled, I asked Linda if she wanted to drive up to Moraine Lake as I had seen some beautiful photos from there. There is limited parking at Moraine Lake, and when the lot is full, they close the 6.8-mile access road until enough cars come out that more can go in. There is no way to predict when the road will or will not be open.
If the road isn't open, you have three choices: 1) Park at Lake Louise and take a shuttle (but the shuttle tickets often sell out), or 2) Park at the "Park & Ride" out on the Trans-Canada Highway 1 and take a shuttle or 3) Go somewhere else and come back another time hoping the road opens and you can drive yourself.
We got lucky since it was late in the day, and we were allowed to drive in. But we got one of the last spots and there were several tour buses there.
The lake looked beautiful, but it was chaotic with all the people.
We took the path to the left, and walked up the steps .....
to the viewing area known as "The Rockpile".
It was gorgeous, .....
but there were so many people vying for photo ops and posed selfies that it was nearly impossible to enjoy it. I snapped a couple of quick shots, and we got the heck out of there.
I vowed to return early one morning to beat the crowds as the water color and backdrop were unbelievably beautiful.
Our first impression of the Lake Louise area was that there were just too many people. We headed back to our rig and had some dinner.
After dinner, I decided to take a drive on the Bow Valley Parkway, a road that parallels the Trans-Canada Highway but that supposedly is less traveled and has more wildlife viewing opportunities.
Fortunately, there was almost no traffic. I made a quick stop at the famous Morant's Curve along the Bow River. It's only about 2.5 miles from the Lake Louise end of the parkway and 4 miles from the campground.
It was too late in the day, and the lighting wasn't right, but this is one of the most photographed spots in Banff National Park. People sometimes hang out there a long time hoping a train comes along and they can take the iconic shot of the train, river, and mountains. Maybe another day.
I continued driving slowly looking for wildlife but saw nothing. About 20 miles down the Bow River Parkway, I came to the parking lot for Johnston's Canyon, a popular place with walkways along a lovely canyon.
Note: Coming from Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Parkway, you first come to Johnston's Canyon Lodge & Bungalows. There's a big sign for Johnston Canyon and it appears that's where you are supposed to go. It's not (unless you want to get a bite to eat). Just beyond the lodge is a large public parking lot with restrooms.
It was a little after 7:00 p.m., and the parking lot was nearly empty.
What the heck. I parked and walked in.
The path took me across a bridge over the shallow, blue-water river ....
to the lodge side.
Signs showed it was a half-mile to the Lower Falls and a mile and a half to the Upper Falls. This sign showed a pictorial representation of the path.
I could at least check out the Lower Falls before dark and see what it was like.
The color of the water in these glacial rivers is mesmerizing, and the photos don't do them justice.
I hadn't gone far before I was taken in by the beauty of this little canyon.
The path turned into a railed walkway along the canyon wall.
With very few people that time of night, it was quite lovely and peaceful.
Eventually, I came to the junction where the Lower Falls path heads to the right. I continued on up the main trail for a view from above.
Then I returned to the little side trail and walked over the bridge to the cave you can walk through for a closer look.
That's a little too close, and you have to watch your camera or phone as the spray will get you wet.
After my visit to the Lower Falls, I considered hustling up to the Upper Falls, but I was losing light quickly. I decided to save it for another visit just in case Linda wanted to come and do a fairly easy hike in the next couple of days.
I took a couple more shots on my return back down the canyon.
Now with the immense popularity of Johnston Canyon and the Disney-like walkways, I had pretty much crossed it off my list of places to visit in Banff as too touristy. But after just a half-mile into the canyon, I was a convert.
It really is worthwhile if you can avoid the crowds. I'd suggest arriving before 8:00 a.m. (the earlier the better) or in the evening after, say, 6:00 p.m.
So, out and back to the Lower Falls is about a mile. Out and back to the Upper Falls is about three miles. Or, you can extend your hike up to the Ink Pots, some colorful spring pools. Adding on the Ink Pots would make it about a seven-mile out-and-back.
I drove slowly back along the Bow Valley Parkway looking for wildlife. As it was dusk and getting darker, I was sure I would see something. Nope.
Back home, I prepared for an early morning excursion though I hadn't decided what that was going to be just yet. Two of the spots known for fantastic views in Banff, Peyto Lake and Bow Summit, were closed for renovation, so they were eliminated.
Checking the weather, tomorrow, Wednesday, looked a little iffy, but Thursday was supposed to be clear. I decided to save Thursday for a hike to the famous tea houses above Lake Louise. If Linda decides to go, we'll just do the hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House, but if not, I'll do the 9-mile Tea House Challenge which combines two popular hikes and visits to both the Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers Tea Houses.
I have a couple of ideas for tomorrow, but we'll all have to wait and see what I decide.
So, we had a nice, scenic drive, and a somewhat mixed introduction to the Lake Louise area. There is no question that there is a lot of beauty, but avoiding the crowds to enjoy it fully may be a challenge. We're here for only three nights, so we'll see how it goes.
Recent Comments