Banff Jasper Trip Planning - Need Help!!!

[sam_zhong]

We are planning to visit the parks at the end of May, 2008. We have never been

to the area and desperately need some tips for the trip.

 

We will be getting off an Alaska cruise ship on 5/23 in Seattle and flying

back to Texas on 6/1 morning (from Seattle). We will have around 8 days for the

sightseeing and driving from Seattle to Banff/Jasper then back. It will be a

family vocation (with kid) and I am an amateur on Photograph and would like to

take some nice landscaping pictures.

 

My questions are:

How many day(s) we should spend on each of these parks: Jasper, Banff, Yoho,

Kootenay, Glacier and Revelstoke?

Where will be the must see / best picture spots?

Where to stay? We are tight on the budget since we would have already spent

most of our budget on the cruise.

 

Thanks for your help in advance?

[bruce_margolis]

I spent a week in Jasper and would have enjoyed another week there. Banff is the most commercial but lots of good viewing. The others, less busy with tourists but also outstanding.

 

Darwin Wiggett wrote an excellent book about the Canadian Rockies. Quick story, I went out early one morning to photograph Mt Rundel in Banff. Another photographer joined me a bit later. Funny, both of us had Wiggett's book. If you are into photography and sites, his book is the best. It will save you lots of time......

 

http://www.darwinwiggett.com/main.html

[robert_fisher4]

You can spend as much time as you like in any of these places. One drive I would highly recommend is the Icefields Parkway. If you've got time, on the way back, I'd recommend driving down Hwy 2 and taking a bit of a jog off to check out the Alberta Badlands around Drumheller. It's not too far northeast of Calgary and would be fairly easy to hit if you drove the Icefields Pkwy from Banff to Jasper and then took Hwy 2 back south. The Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum is in this area too, which the kids might like. The hoodoos are particularly interesting formations.

 

In terms of where to stay, there aren't any overly budget-conscious hotels in this area. Particularly in Banff/Lake Louise. Your best bet to find decent prices is probably to use a site like Expedia or Travelocity. You're also going in the high season when prices are at the top. Probably plan on $125/night at a minimum.

 

You're going to kill a day driving from Seattle and a day driving back at least which leaves you at most 6 days. I'd spend a day in Banff/Lake Louise, a day in Yoho, a day going up the Icefields Pkway, a day in Jasper, a day on the way back in and around Drumheller and then a day in the Kananaskis area on the way back west from Calgary. That's 6 days. Adjust from there depending on the drive to/from Seattle. If you have to cut stuff out, I'd kill Yoho and Drumheller or Drumheller and Kananaskis. It's roughly 650 miles from Seattle to Banff.

[david_henderson]

I have to say I wouldn't do what you're contemplating. I don't think Seattle is a good start point for exploring the Canadian Rockies, especially with your family in tow. Its just far too far, especially when you consider that once you're there there's still a lot of driving to do even if you restrict your trip to Banff/Lake Louise and Jasper. Its going to be all car and no fun.

 

Meanwhile you have the Washington Coast and the Olympic National Park on the doorstep. You've got Vancouver/Whistler/Mount Baker within easy reach to the north. A few short hours away you have the Oregon coast and some of the most photogenic coastal scenery you'd want to see. In eight days you could see a lot without wasting an inch in simply driving. Of these options my vote would go to a six day slow drive down the Oregon coast as far as Brookings, and a fast two day drive back to Seattle via the 5, which will still leave afew hours to take a look at Portland.

[younes]

I would go with David Henderson's suggestion. Seattle is definitely too far for the Rockies, and there is plenty to see around Seattle...

[garydem]

as other have suggested, it is a big drive from seattle to banff. some yrs ago my wife and i did it the other way:banff to vancouver, including the sights from the highway. my thought is something has to give in your intinerary.

 

i suggest skipping all but banff and jasper. glacier can be included if you only go to the going to the sun road. BUT THE GLACIER PK TARGET FOR OPENING THAT ROAD IS memorial weekend. and sometimes they do not make the date. check the galacier website for that road's conditions. that road is a one of a kind do not miss situation. by all means try if you can. the snow pies on the edge of the road just after opening is in the range of 50-80FEET. check their website for pics.

 

as far as banff and jasper-morain and maligne lakes are in banff and are incredable photo spots. they almost do not look real. the top of mt norquay(?, my memory) via the cable car is also good. going north into jasper, you reach the big water falls just short of the jasper pk entrance and that is also a good pic site. just after you reach the great triple divide pass which separates banff and jasper pks. the athabasca glacier is there. the pass is the only one like it in north america. waters flow from it to the northwest to northeast go the artic ocean, waters from the northeast to about south go to the atlantic ocean, while waters fro the northwest to south go to the pacific ocean. the cold that pours off the glacier has got to be felt to be believed. in midsummer it fells like a freezer. further in jasper mt edith cavell is giant 2 1/2 mile high black rock, very grim but worth getting some pics of. there are also good sites around the town of jasper.

 

i would strongly advise checking with banff np and jasper np websites for what you can see in the time you have. make a list of your places that you think that would like to see. note once you are there the banff-jasper area can be driven top-bottom in a day easily. it is getting there from seattle that will take your time. though my wife and i did the banff-vancouver trip in a day.

 

also, you are not only up in latitude but up in elevation, it could be late winter in parts of that area.

 

having done the following, i make a suggestion. consider the following sites(not all or in this order. but it would be a shorter drive),-mt raineir np, crater lake np, glacier pk(previously mentioned, but weather?), yellowstone np, craters of the moon np(the place is just plain strange to see), olympic np(more than one section), grand teton np. to see the just mentioned you would have possibly a shorter drive and you would be seeing sites while getting from one to another. the banff trip is a long drive with not much between the starting point and ending point. except for the going to the sun road which may not be open for travel.

 

on the subject of winter when we were at yellowstone we had snow every nite and i was scraping ice from the car windows every morning, AND THIS WAS MID AUGUST.

 

on phhotgraphy-believe your camera meter once you go up in elevation and if you get clear blue skys, even without snow all over, the brightness is enourmous. it is going to take a lot of shutter speed and fstop to counter act the brightness.<div></div>

[charles_stobbs3]

Lots of good day hiking and photo ops at Lake Louise.

[gungajim]

I would stay in Washington state and save Banff for another trip. I was there at the end of May last year. Not to crowded but many hiking trails still snowed in. Olympic NP, Ranier, Cascades NP, San Juan Isles and Columbia River will keep you going for 8 days with an abundance of photo ops.

[robert_fisher4]

Gary, a small correction. Moraine Lake is in the Banff/Lake Louise area but Maligne Lake is in Jasper.

[joseph_smith3]

Having been to Jasper, Banff, and Oregon, I second the recommendation to bag Jasper and Banff and focus your time on Washington and Oregon. Drive to Portland, Oregon and explore the Columbia gorge, Mt. Hood, the Oregon coast, etc. If you drive to Jasper and Banff, all you will be doing is driving with no time for seeing and exploring. If you are really going to do that, look into taking the Canadian train--the Rocky Mountaineer that takes you right to the parks. I think it leaves from Vancover.

 

When you get back to Texas, plan a trip by flying to Calgary and then see the parks. Joe Smith

[toner]

I think this trip is very doable. I would add one additional destination, and that's Wells Gray Provincial Park in BC.

 

First, a note: Canada has its own Glacier NP. It's on the western slope of the Selkirks east of Revelstoke. I'm sure thyis is the park Sam is referring to, and not the U.S. one in Montana.

 

Since you don't know how long it's going to take to get across the border, I'd allow extra time on those days - i.e., don't try to get to Banff or Jasper in one day from Seattle.

 

Here's what I'd do:

Day 1: Seattle - Kamloops

Day 2: Kamloops - Jasper (via Hwy 5). Take in Wells Gray PP on the way

Day 3: Explore around Jasper

Day 4: Jasper to Banff/Lake Louise via Icefields Parkway.

Day 5: Explore around Banff/Lake Louise

Day 6: Banff/Lake Louise to Revelstoke. This'll take you through Yoho and Glacier NP, and you can catch Mt. Revelstoke if you've got time.

Day 7: Revelstoke - Vancouver via Penticton & Manning Park. This is beautiful country.

Day 8: Vancouver - Seattle. You should have some time to explore Vancouver before heading back across...

 

It's a bit of a whirlwind tour to be sure, but you'll get a good idea of places you want to visit again when you have more time. I don't think you'll be disappointed spending "so much" time in inner BC, as it is very beautiful in its own right, and you should find plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

[mark_kolanowski]

Sam, I agree with some of the other posts that drive time vs photographing,fun,and down time is an issue to be aware of. Landscape images take some time and effort beyond the typical tourist turnouts on the roads. The good/great landscape shooters usually put in some time to work an area and get to know its subtle nuances. I did get to spend 6 days in the Banff area last June. May and June can be wet and cloudy in this area. I experienced alot of grey/white skies that made my landscapes a bit dull.The town of Banff itself was under major construction. I still shot alot just for the memories and practice. The Bow river was running very high and muddy due to alot of snow pak runoff. This made the fishing slow ... my other passion ! Also some of the major hiking trails were still closed in early June. I did hike and photograph the Hoodoos area,Lake Minnewonka,Johnson lake,Castle Mountain lookout and Lake Louise/ Moraine Lake areas. It is incredible ! Very clean , a bit expensive, I would go back again without hesitation. Safe Travels, Mark<div></div>

[sam_zhong]

Thanks for All the advice!!!

 

The only reason I did not consider the parks around Seattle is that we have been there. We took one trip to Teton, Yellows Stone, Glacier (US) and another one to Cascade, Olympic, Mount Rainier and Mount Helens.

 

Our cruise arrived at Seattle at 6 AM but my agent has warned that we may not be able to get off till noon. I think the best I can do the first day will be making it to Kamloops. Day 2 to Jasper, Day 3 ? 7 in the Canadian Rockets. Day 8,9 from Bann to Vancouver to Seattle. How?s my draft plan sound? I guess we will drive pass the YOHO, Glacier(Canada) and Mt. Revelstoke, is it worth spending time on these 3 or only looking through the windshield? We taking our 4 years old girl with, so any strenuous hiking may be out of the question. I guess 5 and half day will be the most we will get in the Rockets.

 

How long does it take to cross the border? The last time we drove across the border (Glacier NP to Waterton NP) we only have to show the ID from car and it took 1 minute. Is it still the same now? Do I have to cross the border from I-5 or I can take the short cuts like Hwy 9?

 

Another alternative I am thinking will be giving up Bann/Jasper and taking up this trip: http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/SightsActivitiesEvents/Tours%28GuidedGroupDriving%29/CircleRoutes/Children/BritishColumbia_CoastCaribooCircleRoute.htm

 

How is this one comparing to the Jasper/Bann? This one sounds easier and more relaxing (with the Kid) but could not find much info on the net.

 

I definitely will check out Wiggett?s book.

Thank for all the help!!

 

Sam

[garydem]

as i stated in my earlier reply, your trip to banff is doable. but, you need to get a break with the weather.

 

your alternate plan that you stated above is 1140miles, this is a bigger trip than the banff one. the 1140 comes from that website.

 

are you aware that the usa imagration people are going to change the rules for the canadien border in a couple weeks? except for your child you must have a passport, no pasport you do not cross. the kid i think is young enough to not need one. but any adults in the car need a passport to cross the border. i absolutely strongly suggest you look at the us customs website. my wife and i have our passports, and have had for a while.

try-

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2007_news_releases/122007/12032007_4.xml

 

i hope you read my earlier reply on what to see. it s some spectaculer country.

[www.withheart.ca]

About the border. :) I'm back and forth across it all the time as I've just moved from Seattle to the Vancouver area.

 

I'd reccomend crossing the border at the Sumas, WA/Abbotsford, BC crossing. It is called Huntingdon Crossing. It usually has the smallest line ups and is the one that will take you the least out of your way.

 

Depending on what day and what time of day you cross the border you can have from 10 min to 2 hours wait. Right now because the CDN $$ is high, alot of CDN go to the US for daytrips and return just before dinner. If you can hit the border in the morning on Friday the 23th, then because it is a weekday you shouldn't have a big wait.

 

Taking the Kokahala(sp?) toll road to Kamloops is the fastest way to get there. I think about 4.5 hours. If you are in Abbotsford at lunch time you must give Swiss Chalet a try. Kid friendly and they have great chicken. About 45mins outside of Abbotsford off the Trans Canada Hwy there is a waterfall that you will see from the road. Well worth the short stroll. It is called Bridal veil Falls. Could be a great place for a picnic lunch. Kamloops is as far as I've gone myself. :)

 

I'm planning to head up to Northern B.C. myself and my BC friends tell me to skip Banaff as it too commercial. They say to spend more time in Jasper and definately not to miss the ice fields if I can help it.

 

Perhaps you might be able to find a nice B&B up there for a better value than one of the hotels? And if you change your mind and decide to go to the olympic np you must check out "The Meadows Inn" in Port Angeles. Hands down the best B&B I've ever stayed at. One of the onwers is a chef and so breaky is amazing. The pics online don't do the place justice, it is gorgeous and the onwers are so nice. Anyway maybe you could find an amazing B&B up by Jasper.

 

Now if there is still snow up there and only gray skies, don't despair. One thing I've learned is that every weather condition has a strength to photograph. Try to find it and photograph for it. Perfectly overcast skies don't look so good so perhaps, so maybe do more detailed shots. Example photograph a cool icicle nice and close. Overcast skies do give you nice diffused light so find ways to use that to your advantage. Would be beautiful lilght to photograph your little girl in. So maybe do a landscape shot with her as the interest not the sky.

 

Enjoy your trip!

[sam_zhong]

Thanks for all the ideas! Finnaly here is my plan:

 

Day_1: Seattle to ClearWater (6.5 Hour drive)

 

Day_2: Well Gray PP, then Jasper (night at Lake Louise)

 

Day_3: Mount Edith Cavell, Angel Glacier, Maligne Canyon/Lake (night at Jasper)

 

Day_4: Peyto Lake, Columbia Ice Field, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls (night at Lake Louise)

 

Day_5: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise (night at Lake Louise)

 

Day_6: Johnson Canyon, Lower/Upper Falls, Lake Minnewanka, Sulphur Mount (night back to Lake Louise)

 

Day_7: Takakkaw Falls, Natural Bridge and Emerald Lake in Yoho, then Rogers Pass at Glacier NP (night at Revelstoke)

 

Day_8: RevelStoke to Vancouver (6.5 hr drive)

 

Day_9: Vancouver to Seattle (2.5 hr drive)

 

How's my plan sound? I am thinking camping when we are in the parks, is that a bad idea considing the weather up north at the end of May? I should have about 2 half days in Vancouver, how shall I spend it?

[frances_pieters]

<p>I got married at Takakkaw Falls on July 26, 2008. I had planned my wedding there in May, 2008. When I went to book the wedding commissioner, I was informed the road to Takakkaw Falls was closed in May (it's still winter on that road). I don't remember now if I was told it wouldn't open until June 1 or July 1. You might want to check with the national park service and inquire about when the road will be open. You do not want to miss Takakkaw Falls if you can help it. I feel the same way about Johnston Canyon. I've probably climbed it 8 times out of 8 trips in the last 10 years, and it's one of my favorite spots in the world. You will love this trip, although it's going to be a tough drive.</p>

[inspiration point studio]

<p>Takakkaw Falls panorama <a title="Yoho River Trail - Yoho National Park by Inspiration Point Studio, on Flickr" href=" title="Yoho River Trail - Yoho National Park by Inspiration Point Studio, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3809859507_4599c20f41_b.jpg" alt="Yoho River Trail - Yoho National Park" width="1024" height="296" /> </a><br>

If anyone is interested in going to Banff, check out the short write up at: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.InspirationPointStudio.com/IPS/Welcome.html "><strong>Inspiration Point Studio.com. </strong> </a> Let me know what you think.</p>