Banff / Jasper NP early August 2009

[Roy Epperson]

After WFO at the end of July, my wife ('07 VStar 1300) and I ('07 FJR/A) are planning on spending some time exploring Banff and Jasper NPs. I'm trying to figure out out much time to budget to get a "good" look. We're not into hiking (< 30 minutes each way) and motel / B&B camping is our "camping". I'm figuring we need to get reservations since we're getting into "tourist season" and would like to have a place to sleep!

After spending some time here, we're going to take advantage of some of the CFR rides either getting there from Hwy 1 or 5 and then exiting through Washington and the Tacoma area.

We're appreciate your ideas of places to see and how much time to allocate.

Roy

 

[SacramentoMike]

Took the family up there a few years back. Don't miss Moraine Lake up near Banff, ABSOLUTELY spend some time in the hot springs just outside of town, just beyond the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. At Jasper, you want to take the short hike to Athabasca Falls, and see Lake Maligne for sure. Pretty much wherever you look is good. Since it's light till 10:30 or 11:00, we started our days late and kept going late. Hint: we always got sandwiches at Subway and took them with us for a picnic. We were usually the only ones with food. If you want to offset some of your trip expenses, buy extra sandwiches!

 

[bikerskier]

DO NOT MISS LAKE O'HARA, JUST WEST OF LAKE LOUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Google Earth it and look at the amazing terrain around it!

 

[tcfjr]

Jasper NP is fantastic, and Banff is even better. Hwy 93 between the two is a fantastic motorcycle road - one of my all time favorites.

Don't forget your passports.

 

[Motorcycledoc]

A few suggestions to get you started:

Lake O'Hara is my all time favourite place in the whole world!! Access is limited: you have to take a bus (or walk in 11km one way, uphill!) and reservations strongly recommended. The access is in Yoho National Park, just west of Lake Louise, across the border into BC. Definitely worth a day trip, although it is more enjoyable for hikers as you get fantastic views hiking to Lake Oesa (3.2km each way, 240 metres elevation gain) or to the Opabin Plateau (5.9 km circuit, 250 metres elevation gain). If you have lots of money, you can stay at the Lodge (Rates start at $535 per couple per night :shok: ). A leisurely stroll around the Lake will take a couple of hours and is not strenuous.

For info:Click here for Lake O'Hara Info!

For Lodge Info: Click here for Lodge Info!

Lake Louise is pretty, but has thousands of visitors each day by the busload - ride a little further to Moraine Lake as suggested by SacramentoMike.

Favourite rides:

Highway 93 from Radium to Castle Junction (between Banff and Lake Louise)

Highway 93 Banff to Jasper

Highway 40 from Longview (junction with Highway 22) through Kananaskis Park to Highway 1. Actually coming from WFO in Idaho, a ride around Galcier Park in Montana, then to Waterton across the border in Alberta, to Pincher Creek, then up Highway 22 to Longview would be awesome.

Banff and Jasper are both very busy, tourist-oriented towns. For less hectic alternatives:

Around Jasper, look for B&Bs west of Jasper, especially in the Mount Robson area, or in Valemount, BC.

Canmore, just east of Banff, may offer slightly cheaper accommodation than Banff townsite.

For something different, you might want to consider Sundance Lodges (stay in a tipi or trapper's tent):Click here

or Nakoda Lodge on the Stoney First Nation: Click here

 

[Roy Epperson]

A few suggestions to get you started:

Hal, thanks for the great suggestions!! Combined with the others some ideas are coming together (oh shit!! LOL).

Have you seen/stopped at The Crossing at Saskatchewan River Crossing?

Roy

 

[canucklehead-biker]

"The Crossing" is a gas station/motel complex between Lake Louise and the Icefields. Last chance for gas until Jasper, so a good place to fill up.

They have accommodations that are ok if you need a place to sleep and don't want to press all the way up the Parkway to Jasper. The grub is good, buffet-style (at least last time I was there, a couple of years back). Like most things in the parks, it can be a bit spendy.

+1 on Hwy, both the Radium to Castle Junction and the Icefields Parkway legs. This time of year you won't have too much RV traffic to worry about, but in any case you'll want to just cruise through and absorb the scenery. And watch out for the critters that will be along the road licking salt!

I think the Highwood Pass from Longview to Kananaskis Hwy 40 opens up the weekend we finish in Nakusp. Can anyone confirm?

Enjoy the ride, and see you in Nakusp!

Griff

 

[Kasey]

I think the Highwood Pass from Longview to Kananaskis Hwy 40 opens up the weekend we finish in Nakusp. Can anyone confirm? Griff

Highwood Pass opens June 15th. Check out the wildlife you are guaranteed to see https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7d9t5_sd...-moutain-s_auto The sheep are licking the salt from the hwy.

Just in case:

Mountain Parks

Highway alert: Until further notice, Drive B.C. is advising there will be daily 3 hour road closures on Highway 1 in both directions, 16 kilometers east of Golden for blasting, from 10 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and from 3:00 a.m to 6:00 a.m.

Construction

Banff & Area: Twinning construction is underway on the Trans-Canada Highway from the Castle Mountain Junction Interchange, to west of the Icefields Parkway Interchange. Expect minor delays and detours. The 70 km/h construction zone speed limit is in effect, with areas of activity posted at 50 km/h.

Jasper & Area: Until October 15, there will be intermittent rock scaling on Highway 16, between 12 and 18 kilometres west of Jasper. Work will be seven days a week between 7:00 a m and 5:30 p m. Delays could be up to 20 minutes.

Info found at https://www.ama.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/ama/web/...oad-Reports.htm

Kasey