Canadian Hols

Clearwater and Wells Gray are well worth a visit, for example the whitewater rafting wich is Grade 4 and includes a visit to Helmend? waterfall and lunch. If you can't get accomodation at Clearwater or Barrie, just stay another night in Kamloops and make an early start to get to Clearwater before 10.00 (you need to book the witewater rafting in advance to be certain). Don't expect to leave Clearwater until after 1800hrs

There isn't much between Banff and Calgary. But with two nights you could consider

More time in Banff
eg take the bus up to sunshine and enjoy a day hiking in the Alpine meadows at 7,000ft
visit Johnson canyon and the inpots
Take the Gondola to the top of Sulphur mountain

More time in Calgary
eg First nation Glenbow museum or the outdoor museum of recent (Frontier) history
visit the Dinasour museum at Drumheller to the east of Calgary. Include the "prospecter" tour where you get a guided field visit and find bits of real dinasour bone and are shown skeletons still in situ etc

Try two nights at Assiniboine Lodge. Use Canadian Mountain Helicopters to get in/out (otherwise its a long day hiking in and another long day hiking out........A bit expensive, but VERY picturesque

Kananaskis - especially if you enjoy mountain day hikes

Waterton - allow about 4 hours drive each way fron Calgary or Banff
Boat across the lake to the Crypt Lake hike - you need all day and a head for heights but it is condidered one of THE hikes in the Rockies

You could combine a lazy drive through Kananaskis to Waterton but worth reading up on Palliser's expeditions beforehand. it will add quite a bit of inerest to your visit to most places between Emerald Lake and the US border.

Hope this helps and persuades our local Canadian friends to come up with better inspiration for your visit.

If any of the abouve tickles your fancy Ican provide more details

Cheers

Don

quote:

Helmend? waterfall

Helmchen Falls

Cheers

Don

Don,

Thanks for your suggestions.

We had considered an extra night in kamloops but
thought we would end up just driving all day to Jasper without the time to take in the scenery on HWY 5.

we are in Banff for 4 nights so an extra night is a possibility although we had a nightmare to find suitable accommodation,

The dinasour museum sounds good and we could stay in Drumheller.

We certainly want to do some hiking / walking so we need to some reading to decide where the best walks are.

Can you recommend a Glacier to visit and walk on.2 years ago we were in NZ and when we visited Fox Glacier the weather wasn't clear enough to go on the ice.

Kind Regards
dave

quote:

Can you recommend a Glacier to visit and walk on

Athabasca Glacier on the Icefields Parkway, about half way between Jasper and Banff.

You can either take a snow bus ride with obout 20 minutes walking on the glacier. Or take a guided hike with an expert lasting about 2 or 3 hours.

Most of the other Glaciers would need an expert guide and I,m not familiar with suitable arrangements. Saskatchewan is the only other reasonably accessible glacier in the rockies that you might be able to walk on. An outfit at Golden used o run Flight-seeing tours up onto the Columbia Glacier (or possibly the Freshfields Glacier) and I think they used to land and let you walk.

You might like to consider the Robbie Burns Lodge in the Bugagoos (Columbia Valley between Golden and Radium) for their three night packages. A bit pricey, but you get to see beautifull mountain scenery.

Two good guide books I use for hiking and backpacking are The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson and Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies by Greame Poole. We also use the Gem Trek maps which have detailed descriptions of some of the best hikes printed on the reverse side. If you go backpacking in the Parks you need a wilderness pass (available from Parks Canada in Banff) and you must book and use the formal campsites - which are vry basic. You will need bear spray and water filters in addition to your usual backcountry kit.

Hwy 5 isn't the most spectacular road, in fact its pretty boring, other than for a view of Robson. OK, probably better than Altrincham to Manchester.

You are in for a superb holiday - give yourself plenty of time for the Jasper/Banff Icefields Parkway.

Cheers

Don

Cheers

Don

Dave

Despite knowing little about about US politics, being 25 years out of date on Middle East commerce and being hung up on global sustainability (sorry Don, couldn't resist), he clearly knows his way around that part of the world. You are in for a treat and I regret that despite my 12 years in the US, I have only managed one trip to that part of the world.

In Calgary, I did take a wheeled bobsleigh (it was summer and it was "dry" and not iced) down the Olympic Bobsleigh course and although we only got to something like 58mph on the fastest parts it was an exhilarating and a great rush!!.

I have to say though, that given a choice, I would rather spend 2 - 3 hours hiking on the the Athabasca Glacier rather than taking what is essentially a glorified bus tour - especially if you have never been on a glacier before.

The view from the the mountain top over the Banff Springs Hotel is amazing....ach, your making me jealous!

Have fun.

Cheers

Jim

If Recordland is still in 9 Ave SE, Calgary pay them a visit. Great selection of used records.

Supposed to have over 1 million items in stock. If you can't find it there you never will.

There is also a fantastic used cd shop and I am just trying to remember where but for the life of me I can't.

Noticed no one mentioned popping over to Victoria by ferry when in Vancouver.

You could also try going up the coast to Whistler for a day trip. Fantastic views on the top of the mountain.

The Vancouver suburb Richmond has some of the best Oriental Restaurants in the world.

Hi All,

This is wonderful information.

Don,Jim,
Will make enquiries about walking on the glacier, this sounds great fun.will hiking shoes be suitable.

Don,
If HWY 5 isn't that interesting we may try and find somewhere to stop just short of Jasper.I hope the road isn't as busy as the 10 mile drive from Alrincham to Manchester !!!

Ewemon,
While my wife goes shopping I know where I'm going, maybe I'll take some more spends.
We had thought of visiting vancouver island,as we are there for 5 nights it should be enough time to a good look at the city. we are staying on Beatty St and will certainly check out Richmond.

thanks once again.
KR
dave

Dave

quote:

will hiking shoes be suitable.

I would imagine that the company will provide crampons to wear over your boots....check online though.

Try here for info....

Jim

I would be happy to meet you when you are here in Vancouver. Send me an email if I can help. jadip@shaw.ca

John

quote:

we may try and find somewhere to stop just short of Jasper.

Others will correct me here because I have only driven along Hwy 16 once, about 5 years ago - but - I don't recal much (if any) accommodation between Tete Jaunne Cache and Jasper, other than the Mt Robson Visitor Centre.

Before TJC Hwy 5 only has a couple of VERY small places eg Blue River and Valemont.

Best to book this section in advance rather than take a chance.

For one of your extra two days in Banff, if you want to get a real feel for the Canadian outdoors, and enjoy walking, I would seriously consider Sunshine Meadows. A bus runs up the boring private road from the Sunshine Village car park (about 15 min drive from Banff) at 08:30 10:30 14:30 and 16:30 (check times and prebook to be safe). Once at Sunshine there are dozens of glourious hikes to enjoy, although in early June the Alpine flowers won't (normally) be in full bloom. Rock Isle, Grizzly Lake can be walked in the morning, then after lunch you can walk over Simpsons pass and Healy Pass to Egypt lake then back down Healy pass to the car park (no need to take the bus back down). There are nicer views in the Rockies IMHO (Floe Lake and the Rock Wall, Assiniboine from Magog, Paradise Valley and Sentinal Pass, Snowbird Pass, Lake O'Hara, Bugaboos to name a few) but they are 2 to 5 day backpacks. Sunshine is splendid and at 7,500' full of pure mountain air.

Cheers

Don

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Hartley:

PS. Are there any good record shops in Vancouver and Calgary.?

This was the best I found in Vancouver.



Mostly indie-leaning, good stock of vinyl and CD and very friendly staff. Nice t-shirts too! I very much hope it is still there, but it was about 3 years ago. They still have a website in any case! Zulu Records

I loved Vancouver as a city - how many cities in addition to all the city-like things in abundance can boast beaches, views of beautiful mountains and evergreens? You should have an amazing time

Steeve

For that glacier walk try 001 780 852 5595

They do a 3 hour hike and a 6 hour hike and charge about $60cnd a head - kids half price. You need to sign a waiver. They can supply crampons free of charge. Meet at 10.30 start hike at 11.00. Fabulous day out.

essential you book early.

Cheers

Don

FWIW we have just booked three nights at Lake O'Hara campsite 22nd August onwards. So will have 4 days of beautiful walks in the 4 or 5 valleys that radiate out from the lake.

Although we've been before I still get excited at the prospect of the views from the Yukness ledges, and the views of the upper lakes.

Cheers

Don

Zulu Records is alive and well Steve. Excellent store!

That's very good news, Jim! They certainly deserve to be

Don,

Last night we spoke to a young lady in Blue river & booked 1 nights accomodation.We will drive from Kamloops to Blue river where we were told we can enter Wells Gray Park.
That should leave us plenty of time the next day to get to Jasper. Although from what you've said we will be stopping quite often to appreciate the views.
How long will you be in Canada during your visit
to Lake O'Hara.Will you be camping there or using an RV ?

John,
That's a very kind offer. We still have to plan what we are going to do in Vancouver and 5 days probably won't be enough to see everything.We were thinking of going to Whistler for the day and another day on Vancouver island.

Steeve,
I will certainly check out Zulu. You are one of many to say Vancouver is a fantastic city, we really are getting quite excited now.

Dave

We will be ther during August and early September.

Lake O'hara is accessed by pre-booked bus. Its an 11 km drive. You can walk but you can't cycle or go by car.

Numbers are therefore limited to 30 pitches for small tents plus there is a lodge and the Elizabeth Parker hut. This means that at any one time numbers in the valley are less than about 200.

We

Last post got corrupted.....

we will be camping. Myself and Mrs D, our daughter and her husband (they live in Vernon BC) and his parents (they live in Canmore).

Blue River to Jasper should be about 3 hours tops, plus stops.
A few years back I spent 15 minutes watchin a black bear eating berries in the verge of Hwy 5 between Blue River and Valemont on my way to Mt Robson.

Cheers

Don

Consider the following in Vancouver

Stanley Park
Gas Town
University of BC - Museum of Anthropology. seriously good
Capilano suspension bridge (suffer from vertigo?)
Grouse Mountain - magnificent views

Vancouver Island
Victoria is very pleasant
Duncan, with its native heritage centre
Tofino - you will need to fly or take more than a day. Seaplane flight along the west coast is spectacular (and I have flown into just about every airfield/landing strip in BC and Alberta)

You could drive to Kamloops via Whistler and the road north of Whistler is beautiful, if basic! better than the Trans Canada Hwy 1.

Give yourself plenty of time for the Icefield Parkway between Jasper and Lake Louise and plenty of time in Lake Louise and Banff

You are in for a treat whatever you do

Cheers

Don

I'd second that.

Don't miss Lake louise, that's something special.

Check out Maligne lake, near Jasper as well

The BC Museum in Victoria is worth a visit and so is Buchart Gardens.

In Vancouver a walk around the edge of Stanley Park is worth doing.

As it happens I'm heading to BC from Singapore on the 7th June for a 2.1/2 week break and really looking forward to it.

I lived on Vancouver Island for 5 years about 12 years ago, and BC is my idea of paradise on Earth.

I'm taking my new (second) wife for her first trip there and hopefully she will like it too as its my number one retirement option.

Going to all my favourite haunts, Vancouver, Capilano, Whistler, Kelowna, Banff, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, as well as Victoria, Tofino (Cathedral Grove on the way there is a must, an untouched temperate rainforest), and Comox where I lived before. Will try to get to Jasper as well as for some reason I've never made it there before.

Lots of driving so I've rented a Mustang Convertible - yes I know, its not a real car but good fun if the sun shines.

When in Vancouver I shall drop in on Hi-Fi Centre, the Naim dealer.

Good fun will be had, many old friends looked up and a few bottles of that rather addictive BC Growers Peach Cider will be downed.

Hi Dave
Zulu Records is still there(in fact it is very close to where I live) and you might want to check out Adagio(records) on main street. They even have an LP12..
If you are staying on Beatty street you can walk to the HIFI Centre(Naim dealer) which is on Seymour just a few blocks from your hotel.
If you like hiking there are lots of trails on the north shore and perhaps hiking up Grouse Mountain would be something you'd enjoy.
Nice views of Vancouver from the top plus a decent restaurant and the option of taking the tram back to the bottom.
Tofino and the Long Beach area is my favorite spot here in BC but like someone has mentioned, you really would need at least 2 or 3 days to make it worth the drive across the island.

Reading this post has made me appreciate where I live a little more! Time for another road trip I think!

Sandy

Sandy

quote:

Reading this post has made me appreciate where I live a little more!

I agree...I live in a paradise on earth here in the midwest - we should swap homes....seems like a fair deal to me....

Cheers

Jim

Jim

I know where you are coming from...
I spent my first 29 years in Winnipeg.

Sandy