Yoho NP and more waterfalls

Yesterday (Wednesday, I think) we completed our trip down to a Lake Louise from Jasper. Upon entering town, we discovered new protocols for visiting the lake and Fairmont hotel have changed due to crowds and limited parking at the lake. One pretty much must reserve and travel from town on the provided shuttles. Since we'd all been up there during our trip in 2014, we searched out new activities. We traveled slightly back into BC, and to the west side of the Divide to Yoho NP where we camped and explored another amazing waterfall. Sadly, we also said goodbye to the Carey's who were primarily traveling east of here for fall colors, but it seems the we are behind the timing of the change this year and will miss the peak colors in many areas. Alas, Rebecca and I will forge ahead as we have many other places to explore and people to meet and visit! Safe travels Carey's!

Takakkaw falls...second in Canada. 

Rainy day in Banff. Still amazing views. 

We plan to explore the town of Banff today and take a hot springs soak this evening. Calgary is next for some laundry and van TLC before heading east over the middle plains of Canada. We don't expect much stunning scenery, but hope to learn more about First Nation people and culture before our next bigger adventures near Thunder Bay. More updates to come when things get interesting again. 

Jasper south and into Banff

We proceeded south out of the town of Jasper in the Icefields Parkway. Along the way the fantastic scenery continued, and added in many more glaciers with closer views. We camped one night at the Columbia Icefields Centre, which was essentially a parking lot with campers, but with views far and above the typical boondock camp at Wal Mart. The following day we explored the Athabasca Glacier in the morning before continuing into Banff NP, finally camping at Mosquito Creek CG where we camped in the van down by the river...

Athabasca falls

Just a few hundred meters below the falls, a calm river. 

Canyon between the two pix above. 

The traveling group 

Camped at Icefields Centre.  Nice glacier view. 

Sunrise in the same glacier as above 

Hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier 

Weeping Wall reminded me of El Capitan in Yosemite. This one is probably only 8 or 9 pitches though. 

Shot down the valley heading to Lake Louise. 

Camped at Mosquito Creek... sunshine, knitting and thankfully no bugs. 

View from Mosquito Creek CG 

Maligne Canyon, Jasper Skytram and Mt. Whistler

From yesterday's outing I forgot to mention our visit to Maligne Canyon, formed by the Maligne River running out of the lake we visited. About 30km downstream, the river has cut a deep and narrow canyon, with numerous "potholes" formed when abrasive materials (rocks, sand etc.) swirl around and form vertical holes in the rock. It's hard to get a real perspective from the photos, but it was really cool in person.

We took the Sky Tram up Mt Whistler a ways. Still a hike to the summit though!

Juno got a dog ticket for the Jasper Sky Tram. A somewhat stressful experience for her. 

Jasper town from Mt Whistler 

Summit family shot!

Mt Robson from summit of Mt Whistler. Apparently this view is only visible about 30 days per year due to weather. 

Pyramid Mountain from Pyramid Lake.

Pyramid Lake

With that, we're heading south on the Icefields Parkway this morning to explore the southern part of Jasper. No cell or Internet expected for a couple of days. 

Northern Jasper

We've spent the last few days exploring the Northern part of Jasper national Park while based in a campground just outside of Jasper town.

The Northern part of the park has some stunning geologic features including this miles long feature called Ashland Ridge. It reminds me of the glacial features in Yosemite but is actually formed by plate tectonics. 

Late in the day we visited Miette Hot springs for a nice soak on a cloudy and somewhat cold day. The photo above is the early 20th century building where the hot springs were housed. They have a very modern facility in place now. 

Of course, no photos at the hot spring facility. 

The next day we visited Moose Lake and Maligne Lake. This big guy is well camouflaged, but only a few meters off the trail.

Maligne Lake

Here was a visitor to our camp on Saturday night.

And his apparent love interest viewed from the driver's seat of the van at our camp spot.

More later about our adventure of the day on Sunday. 

Beginning Jasper exploration

After a great few days moving north and east, we're in Jasper NP in Alberta. Yesterday we did a short hike in the Valley of the Five Lakes while the weather was warm and sunny. Today is cloudy and cooler, so it's laundry day and will be spent exploring town and planning more hikes etc in the park. 

We overnighted at Mt Robson provincial park. This is the view of the mountain at sunrise. 

First glaciers of the trip!

Trying not to squint and face the sun and get both of us and the mountain.  Best attempt...

Short hike to Overlander Falls. Obviously glacier fed river.

Above few photos all from our Valley of the Five Lakes hike inside Jasper NP. The glacial waters feed each lake successively.Some red chairs are placed at a viewpoint at Third Lake. Canadian NPs so cool things like that...and allow dogs to join on many trails, making Juno happy. 

Waterfalls!

We stopped outside Clearwater BC at a provincial park called Wells Grays based on a single photo of a waterfall in a guidebook. 

Wow...what a great surprise!

First campfire of the trip! SoloStove Campfire model mini stove is great for the van!

Dawson Falls was a short hike from camp!

Helmcken Falls.  2.5x taller than Niagra!

Spahats Falls

We saw Chinnok Salmon making their way up Bailey's Chute on the Clearwater River. 

Moving on toward Jasper NP, but another provincial park tonight at My Robson park. 

More Vancouver Island and back to the mainland!

We moved north and west on the island to Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim NP. Lots of great scenery, but definitely colder than the southeast side near Victoria. 

First stop had to be at Goats on the Roof! Also took advantage of a local market for fresh veggies, baked goods, and the all important coffee (Rebecca). 

We tried to stop and view Cathedral Grove old growth trees enroute west, but it was crazy busy. Hoped to do it on the way back, but same situation. See the pics from there near the end of our 2014 Alaska trip below. 

Tofino is a great little town right on the northern tip of the peninsula and a surf bum base of operations. Crazy people who surf in water this cold!

Now that we saw this sign, we obviously have a goal to find the eastern version.  

The all important Canadian experience...to be repeated many times in the coming weeks. 

Juno...no so into the cold ocean and waves. 

Sunset at Qualicum Bay CG. 

Fraser river bridge in Vancouver...a wee bit bigger than anything over our Fraser River at home!

Heading to a provincial park today, on the way to Jasper NP for a couple or more days next before continuing the trek east.