Banff and Jasper 2016

Banff National Park and Jasper National Park 2016

Banff had been on our bucket list for years. Finally we made the trip in August right before Claire went off to college. The majestic mountains, pristine lakes, interesting hikes and great weather made the trip so memorable. It was love at first sight and love at first hike!

Day 0 – Fly from Philadelphia to Toronto, then to Calgary. Changing flights in Toronto is so time consuming with customs check, security check and various ID check, leave plenty of time for layover! We got to Calgary very late, so we stayed near airport for the night.

Day 1 – Drive to Banff; Johnston Canyon; Banff Gondola;

Day 2 – Lake Louise; Lake Agnes Teahouse; Big Beehive;

Day 3 – Moraine Lake; Consolation Lake;

Day 4 – Bow Lake; Waterfowl Lake; Parker Ridge; Columbia Icefield;

Day 5 – Maligne Canyon; Medicine Lake;

Day 6 – Mt. Edith Cavall; Athabasca Fall; Sunwapta Fall; Peyto Lake; Bow Summit;

Day 7 – Fly back to Philadelphia via Toronto.

Since we devoted two days cruising Icefields Parkway, I feel it deserves a page for its own.

I wish the trip could have been a few days longer. There were places that we really wanted to visit, trails we really wanted to hike, but we were out of time for them. So, Banff, we will be back!

On the Bucket List:

• Lake O’Hara
• Plain of Six Glacier
• Hike up Castle Mountain
• Yoho National Park
• Glacier National Park