Day 4
6/24/26 Wednesday
Banff to Jasper BC
Another beautiful day. Sunny and pleasant temp.
gigantic raft for tourist tours
Hoodoos above Bow River
Bow River Falls
Fairmont Banff Hotel
We headed north to Jasper National Park today. There were many places we did not stop because it was far too crowded with visitors and cars. You could wait a long time to get into a parking lot.
To see Lake Louise they use the ski area parking lot and bus you over to the lake. I can’t even imagine how busy the trail to see the lake would be. Happy to have visited it in January when you could park and walk in within minutes. It is stunning and gorgeous and if you’ve never seen it… you must!
Parks Canada has free admission this summer for everyone! Banff and Jasper are free. It was free this winter as well.
Milepost. I am now referring to the “Bible” called the Milepost for traveling all the way through Canada and Alaska. It has all the information for attractions, viewpoints, campgrounds, gas, hotels, restaurants. You name it! Helps us figure out where we’d like to visit and where to camp. It came highly recommended from friends and family.
Crowfoot Glacier. South of Jasper
Bow Lake. Headwaters of the Bow River.
Oops of the Day. Unfortunately this dude wins the award today. Canada parks don’t seem to bother with guardrails. Driver beware! The driver was informed by the park ranger it would take at least 2 hours for a tow truck to arrive and get him off the ledge. Note the rocks placed under all 4 wheels to stop him from taking the plunge to the lake!
Saskatchewan Crossing. Beautiful turquoise water of the Saskatchewan River.
Breathtaking scenery. Steep jagged peaks plummeting down to rivers and small lakes.
We skipped stopping at the Columbia Icefields on this trip. It is another “must see” if you’ve never been there. Warning: it’s cold up there!
Jasper Wildfire Complex summer of 2024. For miles and miles the forest burned the entire valley.
Whistlers Campground just outside of the town of Jasper. The fire burned most of the trees but the campground is back open. There are new washrooms with toilets and separate showers. The campground area we are in is “dry”. No water or electricity. There are picnic tables and fire pits. The firewood is provided but when you reserve you have to pay an extra $12 for the fire pit campsite. The campground is very large. Over 700 campsites.
When we arrived there were several elk wandering around our campsite pod. We were told there have been grizzly bears as well. Better keep it clean!
cinnicrew 