Jump to content

Banff


h poggy

Recommended Posts

In June I am planning a trip to Banff. I realize that the area is very

beautiful with great photo opportunities; however, are there any other

"must see" areas close by? Also, I am interesting in photographing

wildlife (for example mountain lions and bears). Are the chances of

seeing such animals high enough to justify renting a 300mm lens for

the trip?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would encourage you to look into a trip to Lake Louise while in Banff. The water in the lakes in and around Lake Louise are amazing.

There is glacial silt suspended in the water and in makes for a beautiful tourquise coloring.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<p>I liked Jasper better. Both parks are incredibly beautiful, and both parks are full of tourists, but Banff is seriously overrun with tourists while Jasper is just busy.</p>

 

<p>You will definitely see wildlife - almost certainly things like deer and elk, and probably bears, but not likely mountain lions, which like many kitties are pretty secretive. When you're driving along, you'll come to spots where there are all kinds of cars pulled over at the side of the road, and all kinds of people doing stupid things like walking up really close to an animal with big claws or big antlers to try to get a better picture of it. I also had a bear walk across the road right in front of me not far from the Banff townsite.</p>

 

<p>Just in case the previous paragraph wasn't clear - make sure you know about how to deal with wild animals. It's illegal to feed 'em (even the chipmunks, though they're much less harmful than bears are :-) and since you're likely to see lots of large animals that can run faster than you and are better armed (you can't bring your guns into the park, either), it's awfully important to know what to do. See <a href="http://www.worldweb.com/ParksCanada-Banff/wild_e.pdf">http://www.worldweb.com/ParksCanada-Banff/wild_e.pdf</a> for some pointers.</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I spent several days in and around Banff/Jasper in 1999 and loved it. A "must see" list would include:

<UL>

<LI> Peyto Lake/Peyto Lake Overlook--*even* Phil G. has a photo from there :) Although splendid anytime of day, I always thought it would best just after sunrise; however, I could never get there early enough...

<LI> I second a visit to Lake Louise--well worth it.

<LI> Emerald Lake (which I think is technically outside of the park) is quite pretty.

<LI> Don't forget to take the boat ride to Spirit Island in Jasper--it takes up 6 or so hours but it worth it.

</UL>

If you're looking for animals there are ample opportunities. I would definately bring the 300 lens--I remember wishing I had rented a 400 when I got back. Brief suggestions:

<UL>

<LI> Route 1A (as opposed to route 1) runs between Lake Louise and Banff. I saw everything thing from Bear to Elk to Bighorn sheep on that road.

<LI> Although it may sound a bit wierd, there is a golf course around Banff where the Elk seem to congregate in the early morning--I can't remember what it's called (I don't play golf) but there can't be that many golf courses. Anyway, I got some nice photographs of elk including some of baby elk (?fawns).

</UL>

Well, that's it of the top of my head...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you get to Lake Louise take the hike "up" to the tea house. I believe there's another at the end of the lake. Also try Johnson Falls on 1A between Banff and lake Louise. You might also like the Lake Louise ski lift up top, and take the guided tour. BTW, you can get a all you can eat breakfast and tickets to the top for a package deal. The breakfast is in the lodge (beautiful) and very very good. In Banff there's a mineral spring, not much of a big deal, but the hiking trail that runs past it and around by the river is nice at sunset. Plenty of Elk to see. Check out the Banff hotel for the fun of it. In town, and down the street from the post office towards the river, there's a free guided tour of some of the original homesteads, so check that out. The old pics were cool. While your there you may as well check out Moraine Lake so you can say you've been there. The hike around the side is an easy walk. For wildlife I'm not particularly a nut, but from people I've talked to up there they say Jasper is it. Make sure you take a graduated neutral density filter as it gets bright up there, and you'll find quite a brightness range between the peaks and the forest. Warming filters would also be in order, or at least some 100SW film as it will get pretty blue. There's so much to see and everythings so pretty that you'll never want to come back. I look forward to returning. Oh yea, and absolutely go to the coffee shop in the shopping center at Lake Louise. The treats are delicious!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I second Wayne's suggestion of taking the hike up to the teahouse at Lake Loiuse, it's well worth the effort. I'd also go to Lake Moraine while in the area.

 

Definitely go up to Jasper and make sure you put aside a whole day for the drive because there is lots to see along the road - lakes, rivers, waterfalls and glaciers.

 

Up at Jasper you can check out Maligne Canyon and Lake Maligne. After Lake Louise it's not nearly as spectacular but you can get away from all the people there. If you go for a walk along the left of the lake (from the carpark end), and then keep going on the small dirt track when the main trail veers away from the lake you will soon be almost completely alone, which is a weird (but very good) thing after all the people everywhere.

 

I was there at the end of August 2001 and unfortunately saw very little wild life. Lots of bighorn sheep and ground squirrels but no elk or deer. I had a bear run across the road in front of the car (luckily not too close, but watch out for them) but it was gone before I could even touch my camera.

 

Have fun! Lisa.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to live in Alberta as a kid and agree with what has been said here. I too think Jasper is the nicer of the two parks. Lake Louise is something special as is the Seven Peaks (?) area. Columbia Ice fields is nice as well. Then there is Athabaska (?) Falls. And Mount Edith Cavell. (Sorry, its been a long time since I've been back) Oh, heck, the whole park is fantastic.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Alberta's Rockies are my playground, I head there as many weekends as possible. They are also the reason I took up photography. All the areas around Banff are spectacualar. From Banff to Lake Louise, explore the "scenic route" along Hwy 1A rather than the multi-lane Hwy 1. If you're looking for the most scenic area without venturing far from the parking lot, I'd say Lake Louise area wins for most spectacular scenery in a small area.

 

From Lake Louise, you can head West into Yoho. If you're into backpacking, you can't beat Lake O'Hara in Yoho (book early!). Otherwise check out the roadside attractions and don't miss Emerald Lake.

 

Back at Lake Louise, head North on 93 into Jasper. There is so much to see and do along this roadway, I couldn't even begin to list them all. Get a guidebook.

 

Both Jasper and Yoho NPs are much less crowded than Banff, but no less scenic. To get even further from the crowds, Kananaskis to the Southeast is a wonderful place to explore. It's also much closer to Banff townsite than Jasper is.

 

One word of warning though. If you like to get the early morning light, you're going to have to get up awfully early in June when you're this far North (4:20am sunrise, 8:30pm sunset!). Also, I've had many June hiking trips where I've been unable to hike anywhere but the valleys because there's still too much snow at higher elevations.

 

Enjoy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The scenery along the roads is nice. But if you really want to enjoy the Canadian Rockies, do some hiking away from the roads, the scenery is even better.

 

I'd recommend mount Robson, west of Jasper. Takes one day to hike into Berg Glacier. Stay for one day. And return on the third day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I live in an area that has mountain lions. I'm outdoors on my job virtually everyday, driving around the state. I go out taking photos about three times per week, and more than that in the winter. During the Fall I spend about 15 hours per week hunting (mostly on weekends), and have traveled regularly in other states backwoods areas (Montana, Wyoming, California, North Dakota), and have been in the backwoods of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Sask. I'm 46 years old, and have seen only ONE wild mountain lion. And that was a glimpse! The odds of you seeing a mountain lion in the wild are about zero. The odds of seeing at least a black bear are virtually 100% if you get away from Banff and go up to Jasper Park. Banff is full of yuppies and goofy environmental types. Jasper Park is much better. My best bear photos there were taken with a Bronica ETRSi (645 format) 250mm lens. This is about a 150mm equivalent in thrityfive mm format. I also used my Tokina 400mm f5.6 lens with my Nikon. Next time I go, I'm leaving my 35mm stuff at home and only taking my 645 system. Those bigger negs were FAR superior than the little 35mm ones for this kind of scenery! Sleep in Banff. Spend the waking hours at Emerald Lake and north to Jasper.

 

 

Kent in SD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Correction Adam. They only have fences along Hwy 1 E-W through the park. Hwy 1A runs parallel to this and has no fencing. Hwy 93 & 93A North from Lake Louise to Jasper doesn't have fencing. Hwy 16 E-W through Jasper doesn't have any fencing. Just avoid Hwy 1 and you'll see lots of wildlife from the roadsides. Despite hundreds of miles of backpacking and hiking in the parks, I've seen more large mammals along the roadsides than anywhere else!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...