Mount Robson

26th May

Early start for a long day on the bus. Mireille filled up the bus and several of us used the well appointed loo in the garage, gone are the days of a stinky hovel at the back, this was lovely! Into British Columbia and the clocks had to go back an hour.

We stopped at Mount Robson for a 9 km walk to a lake under this impressive mountain (3954m and highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies). Cool at first but then warmed up. Back to the visitor centre where we all had a picnic lunch at tables in the sun. I had an ice cream as well.

It was a long time on the bus and it got hotter and hotter, up to 30 degrees. We stopped a few times to have wees and stretch our legs at rest stops. Eventually arrived at Clearwater, first stop the liquor store then the supermarket.

Next stop a short way on was for Spahat falls, very big. Then a bit further again and we reached Helmcken Falls Lodge. I was expecting more wooden logs but instead it was a thick shag pile! Freshened up, bought satellite internet access. Barbecue under cover listening to cicadas. Chicken, aubergine, courgette, cous cous, also marinated tofu. Mireille played her accordion to us.

This is as far as we go into the wilderness and it does feel like the back of beyond.

First sight of Mount Robson
Lake on way to Mount Robson, as far as we got
Is this a triffid?
Majestic Mount Robson

Jasper

May 25th

Long day out. Breakfast in my log cabin. All wood and very cosy.

Off to Maligne Canyon, limestone karst area with ravines, gorges and falls. Felt a bit touristy in and out which was a shame as it was lovely.

Then to Medicine Lake. We saw bears! Right next to the bus. 

Into Jasper for lunch. I had my picnic and finally found the post office to post a card. Nice building from 1939. The Canadians are celebrating 150 years of being Canada.

Back in the bus to get to the Five Lakes, which are named One, Two etc. Very pretty amazing blue green water from the minerals. Saw a chipmunk.

Tourism is very contained. There are no stalls at the attractions, no ice cream or coffee or other vendors. Big car parks. All the tat is in the towns.

Wandered round with Sally and Joy. Got some bargains. Met up with the rest. Changed in the bus and we walked to Evil Dave’s. I had an Electric Avenue lager and beef and bison meat loaf with mash and veg and it was very nice. I had apple cake and ice cream also good but a small portion.

Elks on the way home or is it just elk?

Hardly anyone smokes. Very noticeable.

Lake Two or Three!
Lake One
Jasper Post Office from 1939
Second bear
Elk

Athabasca glacier 

24th May

Exciting day. After 26 degrees yesterday evening it was cool when we set off. We drove along the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier visitor centre and it got more and more wintry as we went along. Couldn’t see anything in the blizzard. Stopped at Bow Lake for photos but nothing to be seen, then at Lake Peyte where the snow was so slippy I couldn’t hack it.

At the visitor centre some of the group were hoping to walk the glacier but conditions prevented this so instead we looked around the centre, watched a sentimental movie about the glacier receding and then we went on through the blizzard to Jasper.

Quite a long day in the bus, Mireille drove well in the driving snow. We went about half an hour beyond Jasper to the Pocahontas Cabins which are lovely. There is a hot tub and a pool but it’s still a bit chilly for me.

I finally did some laundry. Chris bought me a beer. For dinner I had more beer and quesadillas with chicken and salad.

A few of us went out for a walk around the old Pocahontas mines but not much to be seen of them apart from an open door saying Do Not Enter which made me want to do just that. There were of course the amazing views. Nice to see the mountains again after all the snow.

We saw goats and deer today.

Driving is considerate, no up your bumper nonsense when in a queue and big gaps when parking. So much space is good for us.

I’m lying in bed listening to the rain on the cabin roof, seems very close.

In the blizzard at the visitor centre
Moosey, we didn’t see any real ones sadly
From exhibition, too much blizzard for good photos
Nice boys

Lake Louise 

23rd May

Chilly start to the day. Shocked by news of Manchester bombing.

We did a park and ride to get to Lake Louise, driven up in a yellow school bus. Lots of little marmots scampering about in the village. We got away from the crowds and followed a snowy path up to Mirror Lake and then onto Lake Agnes for lunch. The tea house was shut but it was a lovely spot.

Slow going to get back down. Could have done with grippy things on our feet but at least we all had good footwear. I think I was the only one who didn’t fall over, makes a change!

There is a massive ugly hotel at the lake with signs saying residents only but we got ice creams despite not residing there. It had croissants the size of dinner plates. A lot of things here are very big – face flannels, but not towels, lorries, cars, trains, they are kilometres long. More on train in a mo.

Much hotter, 26 degrees in the afternoon.

Dinner in Canmore at The Grizzly Paw. I had a pint of Powder Blonde and a veggie burger with salad. Not bad.

Some of us went to Save on Food supermarket and I decided to go on alone to Safeway searching for nicer cheese. Failed so got hummus instead.

As I walked back to the lodge I could see a weather system coming in fast. I knew I had to cross the railway track so of course a ruddy train came along. It was so long it took 5 whole minutes to come by and then it stopped with only 14 trucks to pass. And then I felt big drops of rain. Another 5 minutes and it started up again. So I trotted off and got back before the storm which is now blowing a hooley.

Lake Agnes
Contouring round the mountain
The Beehive
Lake Louise and it really is that colour
Icy Lake Louise

Banff

22nd May

Breakfast in my room. We set off for Banff, it was Victoria Day, a public holiday so the town was busy. We were out early walking and it was nice and cool. Walked up Tunnel Mountain which is a mountain but lacks a tunnel. We got up it to find that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth had been up it in 1939. No escape from the royal family. Saw some elk. At least their bums.

Some of the way up Tunnel Mountain

Lunch in a nice big park next to the river. We then tried to get to the hot springs but it was too busy so we wandered round the town. Lots of tourist tat but some nice things too.

Big mountain in Banff!

Back to the lodge to freshen up. Today’s technical problem was a malfunctioning pole so I sorted that out.

Back to Banff to Park distillery and restaurant. I had chargrilled broccoli with polenta, corn nuts and cheese. It was excellent and washed down with a big beer. More elk on the drive back.

Bow River again
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