Banff??

[kwc]

Has anyone visited Banff or Jasper in recent years? We're planning on meeting our son there next June (Banff is about the halfway point between Johnstown and Fairbanks, give or take a few miles) ... just wondering about anything that we shouldn't miss, should avoid, places to stay (camping, cabins, lodges, b&b's, whatever), and any other general advice/suggestions.

thanks!!

[Neil]

If its hiking and peakbagging your interested in I can give you all kinds of help whether you want way off the beaten track stuff or want to hit a few popular highlights. I can help you with the typical tourist stuff a fair bit too. Let me know. June isn't usually the best month due to snow. Planning on a long stay? Late or early June?

[kwc]

thanks neil ...

I'm not sure how long we'll be there but I'm guessing a week or so. We'd like to see some of the popular spots as well as some of the 'off the beaten track' kinda places.

Hiking will no doubt be a part of our itinerary but I doubt that there will be any peakbagging.

Late June probably. We'd kinda like to stay away from the summer crowds.

so ... whatever info you can pass along, that would be great!

[Neil]

Late June is much better than early June. Whenever you get into serious planning mode just contact me and I'll suggest some stuff, answer any questions etc. Feel free and don't be shy. BTW I very highly recommend you do a couple of peaks and will send info re that. In the meanwhile my son and I went out to Banff last summer and I posted the highlights here on my site.

http://www.neil.webcentre.ca/outdoor%20pursuits/index.html

[DLHiker]

I'm sitting in my room at the Banff Centre right now! I'm only here for a conference so I don't know a whole lot about the area. Sounds like Neil is your guy for that. Yesteday, I did a short hike up Tunnell mountiain which is right behind the Banff Center. Very easy switchback trail that you can do in less than an hour. Short hike wiht fabulous views.

Everywhere you look out here is a postcard picture. It's stunning. In the ADKs you pretty much have to climb to get beautiful scenes of the mountains. Here, just look out your window!

I'm here for three days, whihc isn't nearly long enough. I will be back.

[Neil]

Got to thinking about the Rockies so here's some interesting stuff to get you in the mood for your trip out west next summer.

I realized that for hiking close to the town of Banff I’m not much of a guide cuz I prefer the L. Louise / Yoho / Jasper highway areas better. Too many tourists in Banff.

Here’s some day hikes.

Popular hike to very beautiful place. Lots of people, stunning beauty.
1-Sentinal Pass from Moraine Lake is easy and one of the best.
2-Wenkchemna pass from Moraine Lake is almost as nice and sees way less people.
3-Dolomite Pass from the Jasper highway is one of the best but attracts hordes.


Popular hike to a mountain top. Lots of people, stunning beauty.
There are many hikes to mountain summits that are no more than hikes.
1-One big time favourite is Mount Fairview from Chateau Lake Louise. The view is incredible and the elevation gain about 3500 feet. Expect lots of company.
2-Almost as nice a view is Mt. St. Piran with way less people at the top. Accessible from L. Louise.

Scrambles. These all involve getting to the top of a mountain but are mainly hiking with use of hands and routefinding skills. Often no discernable trail but usually small cairns at key places. There are all grunts.
1-Mount Temple from Morraine Lake is considered to be the ultimate scramble (5500 feet elev gain). Its summit sees 40 people or more per day.
2-Little Hector from the jasper highway (15 min from Lake Louise). No hands necessary but route finding skills, yes. Cairns. No crowds for sure.
3-Mt. Weed from Jasper highway. Only one or two parties a year for this biggie. Non-technical but short easy bushwhacking and route finding involved.

If you plan on overnighting I can suggest other stuff. All of the above are 5 star hikes. Except for the scrambles other than Temple expect to see lots of people. If you Google any of these you’ll get plenty of hits.

Look into going to Lake O'hara. You need a reservation to ride the bus in and you can camp there at the public campground. The area has restricted access due its high elevation and spectacular beauty. Amazing trails, super scrambling - a must! Check out Yoho National Park's site re: Lake O'Hara for more...

[RiseAboveHiker]

We went in the last week of June, first week of July 2002. Expect to still find snow then so bring gaitors, poles and crampons.

The best book is "How not to waste your time in the Canadian Rockies." The author rates the hikes as well as describes them and we found her to be right on the money.

My favorite hike was the Cirque and Lake Helen (I think that's the name of it). It's up in northern Banff near the Jasper line.

[Neil]

My favorite hike was the Cirque and Lake Helen (I think that's the name of it). It's up in northern Banff near the Jasper line.

Cirque Mtn. is an easy scramble and is an extension of the D. Pass hike. I've never done it but I can imagine the views....