Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay NP's

[HomerJ]

After reading @Ben's awesome backpacking reports to Yoho and Jasper National Parks, I thought I should throw up some photos from a trip I made back in 2008 to those two parks and Banff and Kootenay NP's!

We spent a few nights in Jasper and I think four nights in Banff, but visited all four of the parks. Our favorite park was Jasper! It's a lot like Banff, but with a lot less crowds! Anyway, here are some photos (OK, lots of photos).

JASPER NP
Tangle Falls


Sunwapta Falls


Near Athabasca Falls


Maligne Canyon

Maligne Canyon


Maligne Canyon


Maligne Canyon Momma bear and Cub

Maligne Canyon


Patricia Lake - We stayed at some cabins on this lake


Athabasca River near Jasper


Another Black Bear!


Columbia Ice Fields


Beauty Creek - This was the highlight of our trip. We missed the trail head (no sign) and almost didn't turn around and go back. We were sure glad we did! Lots of small waterfalls and not a soul around!!!


Beauty Creek


Beauty Creek



BANFF

Big Black Bear!
Bridal Veil Falls


Momma bear and two cubs climbing tree. Unfortunately this was the best photo I got.


On the other side of the road from the bears the creek disappeared into a slot canyon


Johnson Canyon - one of the most popular hikes in Banff


The Famous Lake Louise - Ice was just breaking up the end of May


Cool small water fall near Banff


Above the town of Banff - we took the gondola to the top of the mountain


Above the town of Banff


Above the town of Banff


Lake Minnewanka


Two Jack Lake


Cascade Ponds



YOHO



Emerald Lake - My favorite photo of the trip!


Wapta Falls


Another view of Wapta Falls



Kootenay

Marble Canyon - very cool canyon, but a forest fire had burned the area
Marble Canyon


Kicking Horse River


Big Horn Sheep near Golden

 

[danger02ward]

Wow awesome pictures!

 

[Langdon Greene]

yeah, what ^he^ said!! Great photos!!

It looks like your shots here are mostly day-hikable / frontcountry spots. Did you get into the backcountry much?

I'd love to spend 2-3 months of solid non-stop backpacking through there (if the weather were good - ha!) +Robson, Willmore, Assiniboine, Lougheed, etc. The GDT is probably my highest priority if I ever thru-hike a long trail...

 

[HomerJ]

yeah, what ^he^ said!! Great photos!!

It looks like your shots here are mostly day-hikable / frontcountry spots. Did you get into the backcountry much?

I'd love to spend 2-3 months of solid non-stop backpacking through there (if the weather were good - ha!) +Robson, Willmore, Assiniboine, Lougheed, etc. The GDT is probably my highest priority if I ever thru-hike a long trail...

No, I was tagging along with my parents. My dad had meetings in Banff. They invited me to go along and so we went up early and went to Jasper for a few nights and then back down to Banff. My parents don't do long hikes so ya, it's all day hikes. That's why it was so fun to read/see @Ben's post as it offered a totally different view that what I had seen!

I'd love to go back and backpack or do some long day hikes!

 

[Tres Westbrook]

Gorgeous photographs. I have to get up there.

 

[Nick]

Woweeeee!

 

[LoriB]

Amazing!!!! Thank You for sharing!!

 

[Ben]

these pictures are so good it makes me not want to post my reports from Banff and Kootenay : )

 

[Nick]

these pictures are so good it makes me not want to post my reports from Banff and Kootenay : )

Blasphemy!

 

[HomerJ]

Blasphemy!

I have to agree with Nick!

 

[Rockroller]

Wow! Awesome pictures. This is on my list of places to see in my lifetime. Thanks for the report.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Holy crap! Not sure how I missed this. I need to go to Banff! The actual Banff, not just the film festival. Beautiful photos @HomerJ.

 

[Bryan Harwood]

sweet, ill be at all those parks in May on my way to Alaska great pictures!!

 

[Blake Merrell]

Love that area. I need to get back there so bad. I have only been to Banff! Your report makes me want to get back NOW