Canadian Rockies Explorer

With Glacier National Parkhttps://photos.travellerspoint.com/690915/square_DSC06705.jpeg

07.09.2024

Our trip was inspired by several things. Friends Gail and Nels had done some trips by Odyssey and recommended them. Other friends Canadians Katie and Clare said we needed to see the Rockies. Keith and Kate’s trip to Banff cemented the desire to see this natural beauty with our own eyes.

Two weeks before our trip Jasper was devastated by fires. They had to evacuate the town which had extensive damage. Our tour group Odyssey contacted us and offered our money back or to book us another time. They sent us the alternate itinerary and we decided to still go. Ten people in our group canceled. We were very lucky and did not experience and effects of fire. The air was clear and there was no smoke smell. The jasper fire
was likely started by lightning
.
We left for Chicago on August 20 after having lunch with friends Barbie ND Michael. We stayed at the Country Inn for park sleep and fly.
took the 6 am shuttle to Ohair airport. Went to United Lounge and had breakfast. Boarded the plane and it was a 3 and Half hour's flight to Calgary Canada

Arrived at the airport and landed at 1120. We collected our baggage and were met by an Odyssey representative, 4 other people met us too. We boarded a bus and went to Hyatt Regency. Brad our tour guide met us and gave us our room keys. We were to meet in the lobby at 6 pm. They brought our suitcases to our room. Jim and I went out to explore Calgary.

We stopped at a place for a beer and coconut calamari for a snack

We would be a group of 11. 5 couples and one lady traveling alone. Our group was from PA, NY, Hilton NY, OH, and FL. We had a meeting about the trip and then went to a private dining room for a group supper. Everyone was very easy to talk to. We had a lovely dinner picked from the menu. I had salmon and veg. and a lovely dessert.

Thur We had my favorite breakfast of the trip

We left at 0800 to go to Glacier National Park< We stopped at Claressholm Prairie Museum..

We drove to Waterton National Park. We stopped at Bayshore restaurant along the shores of Waterton Lake, the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies. Waterton Lakes National Park is known as the place where the prairies meet the mountains. After we enjoyed lunch here we crossed the 49th parallel and entered the United States. We had a great buffet lunch and then had time to walk along the shore and town.

We then went up to the Prince of Whales Hotel

The Prince of Wales was built by the Great Northern Railway in 1927 as an extension of the Glacier Park Lodges and today stays true to its roots.

We crossed into Montana at Chief Mountain crossing.
In the early 1900s, as white settlers came to the area, they observed native burial sites scattered along the base of the mountain. The name was changed in the late 19th century in reflection of Blackfeet naming of the mountain which was "Great Chief".

Drove to St MaryLodge a quaint hotel arrived at 4 our home for two nights

Ate with EJ, Peggy, and Bill. I had a Strawberry salad and Ej and I shared a steak.

Friday, August 23. Breakfast brunch Glacier National Park in Montanas Rocky Mountains

We stopped at Iron teepees

Some of The surrounding mountains hold Blackfeet. In late 1897 the ceded land was made a forest reserve. The creation of Glacier National Park was in 191.0.

Today we get our first look at Glacier National Park in Montana's rocky Mountains encompassing rugged mountains, thunderous waterfalls, still lakes, and glacial valleys.. We had 1200 reservations for a cruise on St Mary Lake for panoramic views of the water and its lovely surroundings. Pine forests cover the shoreline here, rising up to rugged rock bluffs that create a natural amphitheater around the lake. The color of red argillite stone another named mudstone, Red color is an iron and oxygen mix. Colors can also be green, yellow white, and even black. When the sun hit the mountains was beautiful.

We took a short walk to Baring Falls

On the way in and out we saw bears for the only time on the trip and watched a baby cub climb a tree. These bears were seen from our bus along the road.

We went back and shared a delicious deli sandwich. Brad our tour guide gave us the option to go to Glacier Hotel on the water and do some hikes.
All 11 of us went. It was a sunny day and we picked a trail that ran around the lake.

That night Jim and I dined alone we had shrimp and grits and Jim had fish dessert was Huckleberry pie. Lots of Huckleberry choices, dressing for salads, ice cream

Huckleberries are small red and purple berries related to both blueberries and cranberries. Smaller than a blueberry and sweeter than a cranberry.

Jim went out for an early morning walk and came across a recent scat from Bear and Footprints.

The last view from the room balcony ate breakfast at 7 and left at 1000.

Today was a highlight of the trip for me as we stepped back in time and boarded one of the legendary sightseeing buses the red Jammers in use since the 1930's. They get their name from the sound of the early drivers jamming the manual transmission into low gear to negotiate the steep roads.With rollback canvas convertible tops you could stand when stopped to get pictures

. Our ride takes us along the fabled Going to the Sun road. A twisting winding mountain pass that offers breathtaking views and hair rasing turns. this 50 mile road crosses the park from east to west. Our driver for the day was Dakota.

Wild Goose Island is one of Glacier's most photographed spots.

Dakota told us to go for a walk down by the water

Went to Hungry Horse Dam is one of the largest arched dams

Tonight we were at Whitefish Inn we dinned together to celebrate Peggy and Bill's 56 anniversary. Bill said the secret to a happy marriage is to fall in love each day again as the person changes. What a special couple! At 77 years old it was fun to see the sparkle in their eyes.

Sunday, August 25th. Ate breakfast with EJ and we left at 0930 for Whitefish Mountain Resort where we boarded a chairlift for the summit. We walked a short trail and enjoyed the 360-degree mountain views and crisp air. the Nature Center was worth a stop.

When we got down from Big Mountain some wanted to go down Alpine toboggan slide. They twisted and turned down to the base lodge. What a hoot! We paid for this ourselves 13 dollars. Thanks to Tim who went down first and got our pictures.

Paul and Mary Ann, Bill and Martha

Mary Ann

Bill

Peggy

Lunch in town was on our own Jim and I ate at Crazy Range Bar and Grill. We shared tacos and an order of Onion rings. We walked around town.

We had an hour stop at the Conrad Mansion an example of luxurious pioneer living was constructed in 1895.

The hotel shuttle took Martha, Bill and Jim, and me to supper in town. Bill picked a restaurant and a brewery and the weather was nice so we sat outside and enjoyed our beer and sandwich.

We decided to stop in the hotel restaurant and get a coffee and cream brulee

August 26th Monday headed to Lake Louise, Stopped at an old-fashioned place called Last Catina. We got coffee and some shots. I went outside and heard some hooting and hollering and went back in Jim was treating the ladies to shake of the day. We only won a shot but it sure was fun. Today's travel day is some of the most stunning scenery of the trip.

Continental Divide Triple Divide Peak (8,025 feet or 2,446 metres) is located in the Lewis Range, part of the Rocky Mountains in North America. The peak is a feature of Glacier National Park in the state of Montana in the United States.[3] The summit of the peak, the hydrological apex of the North American continent, is the point where two of the principal continental divides in North America converge, the Continental Divide of the Americas and the Northern or Laurentian Divide.

Brad added Lake Moraine to our trip
It was one of my favorite

The view of Moraine Lake from the Rockpile is so magnificent, that the Bank of Canada featured it on the back of the twenty-dollar bill issued in 1969 and 1979.

This stunning turquoise gem, cradled by the Valley of the Ten Peaks, is a sight
straight out of a dream. Take in the iconic views from the lakeshore and the rockpile or explore the area further with trails suitable for both seasoned hikers and casual strollers

azure blue
When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of azure blue.
The unique color is due to the refraction of the blue end of the spectrum of sunlight off the rock sediment deposited in the lake on a continual basis in summer by the surrounding glaciers.
The color of waterfine rock dust, produced by massive glaciers rubbing against bedrock, stays suspended in the water, reflecting light and creating the turquoise colors that Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are known for along with so many other glacier lakes

Did rockpile hike for the view from the top

Stayed at Lake Louise Inn
had a group dinner

Tuesday
had to go outside to walk a short distance to the restaurant. We were treated to a beautiful sunrise.

We went to Lake Louise in the morning so it would not be so crowded and to catch the morning light.

We departed for Lake Minnewanka. We boarded a boat for a cruise on the calm emerald-green waters taking in the panoramic views

Elk

Bow River Falls is a beautiful waterfall with easy access close to Banff

Banff Hoodoos

They are composed of sedimentary rock covered by harder rock. needle or tower-like formations are formed. to me looks like kids played in sand.

We then shared a box lunch in the park and had time to explore Banff.

Gardens at the end of town Cascade Gardens the enchanting stone pathways wind through terraced gardens with vibrant flowers.

Wed woke up to a cold drizzly morning with fresh snow glittering on the tops of mountains. So glad we got to experience it.

Today Brad our guide improvised in the inclement weather and added on a hike to Johnston Cannon falls1 It drizzled the whole time but never rained heavy. I used my trekking poles because it was slippery. Nestled within the awe-inspiring landscapes Johnston Canyon offers an exciting hiking adventure for all ability levels

Brad then added on a new little town to wander around and to eat lunch, the town was called Canmore. We all ate at Grizzly Paw.

We were supposed to do the river float but the weather still was cold and drizzly so Brad changed it to Friday. We had the afternoon off.

Thursday Columbia Icefields
Columbia ice field is the largest ice field in North America located in the Canadian Rockies It has six glaciers, Athabasca, Castleguard, Columbia, Dome, Stutfield, and Saskatchewan

AT an elevation of 10,000 feet 125 square mile tract of snow and ice. The Columbia Ice field marks a triple Continental Divide point. meaning waters originating here ultimately flow into the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans.

We had a great buffet lunch here.

We took the Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicle that is able to go right on the Athabasca glacier due to Giant wheels.

Brad our Odyessy guide

We then went to the observation deck Glacier Skyway one of the unique ways to see the Rockies

We made our last stop at Peyto Lake in Banff National Park. It is often called Wolf's Head Lake because of its shape. During the summer significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake from a nearby glacier. These suspended rock particles are what give the lake the bright turquoise blue color.......

When we got back to the bus Brad had bought a bottle of whiskey for us to try we all had a shot. It was supper smooth.

tonight we had a big table together in the back of the dining room.

Friday, August 30th

Our last full day in the Canadian Rockies begins with a ride aboard the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulpher Mountain. Named for hot springs on the lower flank. You can see six mountain ranges from the top. You also can see that the town of Banff sits in a natural bowl with suncapped peaks in all directions.

mountain IMG_5 190.jpeg

3 photographers Tom, Jim, Paul

We went into Banff and had time to shop and ate at a place recommended by a clerk, Had a sandwich with homemade focaccia bread. Still had time to kill and Martha and Tim invited us to sit down with them. Had the best drink of the whole trip a spicy drink.

Our last adventure of the trip was the float down the river.