Canada - Banff, Lake Louise andColumbia Icefields, 2017
I took a short trip to Canada in August, 2017. I flew to Calgary, rented a car at the airport and drove to the town of Canmore. I had decided to stay at Canmore instead of Banff or Lake Louise, because Canmore is much cheaper. The next day, I drove the Icefields Parkway, up to Tangle Falls, stopping at various places along the way. I stopped at Bow Lake, Crawfoot Glacier, and Peyto Lake, before I arrived at the Athabasca Glacier Visitor Center, where I had lunch. I then took the Ice Explorer, which is a bus with oversized snow tires, to the Athabasca Glacier. A small area has been marked off, and visitors are asked to stay within this area, to avoid contaminating the entire glacier. We were encouraged to fill our water bottles with the pure glacier water. From the glacier, we were driven to the Glacier Skywalk, which was not very impressive, but was included in the price. I then continued on to Tangle Falls, and on the way back, I stopped at Hood Glacier and Waterfowl Lake. This is a very beautiful drive.
The next day, I drove to Banff, where I hiked Johnston Canyon. I went to the Lower and Upper Falls. Near the Lower Falls, there is a little cave that lets you get behind, and close to the falls. There was a long line to get inside this cave. Johnston Canyon is very spectacular! After lunch in the town of Banff, I wandered through the town, which is very picturesque.
The third day, I drove to Lake Louise. It is very difficult to get parking, but I reached there was early enough to find a place to park. I sat by the lake and took some pictures, before hiking up the Lake Agnes Tea House trail. I stopped at Mirror Lake for a bit, before reaching Lake Agnes, and the Lake Agnes Tea House, where I had lunch. I then continued on to the Little Beehive. After returning to Lake Louise, I walked the trail around the lake. By this time it was late evening, and I hoped I would be able to find parking at Lake Moraine, so I drove there. I was fortunate enough to snag a parking spot, and spent a short time at the lake, before going back to my hotel.
The next day, I checked out of my hotel and drove to Sunshine Meadows. I took the gondola and then the chair lift up to Standish Viewpoint. It was very cold. This viewpoint gives you a great view of Rock Isle Lake, Laryx Lake and Grizzly Lake. I took the trail down to the three lakes. Sunshine Meadows is really pretty. I returned to Banff for a late lunch, then drove to Calgary. After checking in to my hotel, I met my cousin who lives in Calgary, for dinner. I drove to the airport the next day, returned my car and flew back home.
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Banff, Lake Louise and Columbia Icefields, 2017
