Canadian Rockies

Jun 23-25, 2017
AC8105 IAH-YYC, UA1607 YYC-IAH

With the Canada 150 celebrations, National Parks in Canada were free all year.  As we always enjoy our times in the Rocky Mountains, and to avoid the crowds in Banff, we headed to BC to visit Mt Revelstoke, Glacier, and Yoho National Parks. It was a little early in the season at Revelstoke, as the higher elevations were still snow covered, but there was still plenty to do at lower elevations. We were happy to enjoy the warm spring weather with beautiful blue skies. 

June 24

After staying overnight near the airport in Calgary, we headed out early through Banff and onto Yoho.  As we were going to be staying in Revelstoke and circling back the next day, we didn't stop too much in Banff and Yoho, and spent the first two days in Revelstoke and Glacier. 

Quick roadside stop in Banff along the Bow River

Spring melt swells the Bow through Banff

Last stop in Banff before crossing into BC

Wapta Lake in Yoho

Spiral Rail Tunnels at Kicking Horse in Yoho

Looking down at Revelstoke as we make our way up the mountain

The last few kilometers were closed to traffic so we hiked up a bit further

The last bits of the road were a bit too wet for us to hike so we turned back

Incredible views on the way down

Revelstoke Dam on the Columbia River

View from the dam

Internal hydroelectric works of the dam

Skunk-Cabbage boardwalk trail in Revelstoke, watching rescue team practicing in the Illecillewaet River

The full rescue team

Practicing for a successful water rescue

Flowers along the Skunk-Cabbage boardwalk trail

The trail cuts through lush forest

Avalanche protections on the trans Canada just outside of Glacier National Park

Hiking the Loop Brook Trail in Glacier National Park, supports for an old railway bridge

Moutain views along the trail

Although it was late in the afternoon, the hike was a highlight of the day

The trail crosses the path of an old railway bridge

Railway bridge piling

Biggest portion of the bridge remains

New train route

Rogers Pass National Historic Site in Glacier

Meeting of the Waters Trail, our last stop in Glacier

June 25

After staying overnight in Revelstoke, we start out early to cycle back through the national parks.  We spent most of the morning in Yoho, before heading back to Calgary for our afternoon flights home.

Payback of the Wapta Falls Trail

Morning mist over the falls

Making our way to the lower falls

The lighting wasn’t great, but the views were still spectacular

More of the falls

Further downriver

Looking back on the falls as we hike out

A natural bridge, deeper into Yoho

Emerald Lake, a new discovery for us

Although the lake looks relatively calm, we did find some crowds

Beautiful mountain reflections on Emerald Lake, living up to its name

Takakkaw Falls, a short hike and our last visit in the park

Hard to see the height up close, but the falls are 302m (991’)

From further back you get a nice perspective on the power of the falls

After thoroughly enjoying Yoho and a number of new areas of the Rockies for us, we finally make our way back to Calgary and catch our flights home to Houston and Toronto.