Canadian Rockies - Kootenay, Robson, Jasper, Yoho

[pudgy_groundhog]

We went to the Rockies last year and loved it so much we returned this year. This time around we had much better weather and were able to do most of our planned backpacking/hiking. We also had more luck with wildife sightings: grizzly bear, black bear, caribou, mouse, elk, sheep; harlequin ducks, pileated woodpecker, American dippers (new birds for us), and the requisite marmots and pikas.

All of the pictures and most of the trip notes (still not 100% complete) are posted here.

The trip in a nutshell:

Started off with the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay NP. We took three days/two nights to hike from Paint Pots to the Floe Lake trailhead with a side trip to Goodsir Pass. The rollercoaster trail covered 38 miles and three passes (Rockwall, Tumbling, and Numa). The highlights were Rockwall Pass and Numa Pass with their fantastic views of Tumbling Glacier and the Rockwall towering over Floe Lake, respectively:

Next we went to Mt. Robson Provincial Park and spent four days on the Berg lake trail (two nights at Berg Lake and one at Kinney Lake). Although everything we did was great, this was probably my favorite part of our trip: the 12 mile trail to Berg Lake is chock full of open views, interesting scenery, and inviting places to take breaks; Berg Lake was a beautiful place to camp, and the day hike to Snowbird Pass provided fantastic views of Mt. Robson, Robson Glacier, and the Reef Icefield:

We then spent two days in Tonquin Valley in Jasper. This was another one way hike as we hiked in from Marmot Basin Road and out to Cavell Road (27 miles). Not only was the scenery wonderful, but we had some cool wildlife sightings there (bull moose and six caribou):

After Jasper we headed back south to do some day hiking in Yoho. We did the Iceline trail and Burgess Pass. The 13 mile loop form Emerald Lake to Yoho pass, Wapta highline, and Burgess Pass was my favorite:

For the last part of our trip we were going to visit Assiniboine Provincial Park, but we changed our plans due to weather. It was pretty neat to see how the scenery changed with snow cover. A few shots from the Icefields Parkway of Peyto Lake and Bow Lake:

All in all, a fabulous trip!

 

[dvbl]

I feel like I'm looking at National Geographic here. Stunning pictures in your post. Can't wait to look at all the trip pix on your site. Oh, what the heck, I'll go look at them now. Let the stock-holders take a small hit

 

[darren]

Great pix. I can't wait to go home and get the time to check out all of the photos. I can't get enough of looking all the views in the Canadian Rockies.

Yoho rocks, huh? Did you do the alpine cirque? Or did you already do that last year?

Nice shots from Berg Lake. I've been wanting to get in there forever and I still haven't done it yet.

You should make it 3 years in a row and go back next year....don't forget everyone....Gathering 10.0 will be in the Canadian Rockies next August.

I can't wait for my 3rd time back there. Somehow I know it won't be my last.

- darren

 

[Pamola]

wow, pg. Amazing pics.
Would you mind divulging what kind of photo equipment you use?

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

Thanks guys.

I'm sure we'll be going back some day. The scenery is truly breathtaking there.

It was our first time in Yoho and we only did the Iceline and Burgess Pass. I'm still annoyed about the bus and trying to get to Lake O'Hara to do the alpine circuit (have you done it?). We couldn't get on the bus and it was really expensive anyway. When we first went to the Rockies last year we were a little taken aback at the prices (we knew what to expect this year). We found the parks there to be a lot more expensive and in some ways they cater to rich people (all the expensive backcountry lodges, helicoptoring people in, etc). Didn't detract from our trip (going during non-peak season helps), but we did note the differences. But I do have to say, although the backcountry campgrounds were more expensive, they were really nice. Designated eating area with tables and places to sit, adequate food storage, nice tent pads. It was also very clean and I don't think I saw any trash anywhere and the trails we were on were nicely maintained.

What places have you visited on your trips to the Rockies? Have you been to the Bugaboos? Steve *really* wants to go there to climb (I'm not a climber, but still want to go there).

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

Would you mind divulging what kind of photo equipment you use?

We have a Canon Powershot G3 (4 megapixel) with a circular polarizer. Sometimes use a tripod. For the panoramas we use the stitch software that came with our camera. The camera came with a limited edition of Adobe Photoshop that we use to adjust levels/brightness/contrast when needed (run an unsharp mask as well). I'd like to learn more about Adobe and am considering getting Adobe Elements (I think anything we would want to do we could do with Elements versus shelling out the big $ for the full PS).

 

[Chip]

WOW !!! Congratulations ! Really nice report and great pics !

 

[king tut]

WoW! Great photos. I was out there many moons ago, and the one thing that stuck in my mind was the turquoise color that glimmered in the lakes. Your photos really bring that quality to life.

 

[darren]

It was our first time in Yoho and we only did the Iceline and Burgess Pass. I'm still annoyed about the bus and trying to get to Lake O'Hara to do the alpine circuit (have you done it?). We couldn't get on the bus and it was really expensive anyway. When we first went to the Rockies last year we were a little taken aback at the prices

I was last there in 2000 . It was early July and during a year of late snow melt. I wanted to do the Alpine Cirque, but the avalanche danger was too high so I didn't get to do it. It's why I plan on going in August next time.

I took the bus up to Lake Ohara, but I camped in a tent and didn't stay in the super expensive cabins. I don't remeber the bus being very expensive at all. How much is it now? Camping was like $6. Other than the usual crazy stuff like $500 a night trailhead cabins and super 5 star hotels, I found the Canadian Rockies very cheap. B&B's in Banff and Jasper were like $30 a night. Of course the US $ has tanked since then....

- darren

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

The bus is $25 per person ($15 going in and $10 coming out) and if you book a reservation add another $12. So for the two of us to dayhike, it would've been at least $50 ($62 if we had gotten the reservation). Camping is $9/night per person. It seems like most of the spots are reserved for those staying at the pricey lodges. They make a big deal about how it's such a fragile area and how they limit users, but I'm thinking, if you are so concerned about the environment, why are there several lodges operating in this fragile area and you are bussing in people? I think I'm still just bitter we didn't get on the bus.

Park entry fees are also more. I think it's something like $18/day. Last year we bought the annual park pass ($100) because it was a better deal and luckily we were able to use it this year too. And backcountry camping and permits were more than the US as well. Regular campgrounds were around $25/night and the hostel we stayed in was I think $20/person/night (those seem to be on par). The prices weren't such a big deal, but we did notice the differences.

We were also surprised at how many places it was an option to be helicoptored in (to stay in a lodge, camp, or to just dayhike). Sissies.

ETA: btw, took a look at your pictures -- beautiful! That picture of sunrise over Lake Louise is stunning. I also really liked your wildlife pictures.

 

[Jay H]

Excellent shots, I have the same camera but no polarizer. I love the Canadian Rockies, used to go there every year as a kid as I had grandparents in Calgary and cousins in Edmonton...

I have used the Canon panoramic software and found it lacking, at least when compared to many of the shareware panorama photo software that is faster and seemingly has a much better stitching algorithm. Might want to check it out Panarama Factory

I have an older version but I find it better than canon's.

Jay

 

[roadtripper]

awesome!

Looks like a fantastic time. I visited Banff/Jasper in 2004, and I've been dying to go back ever since. I'm hoping to spend 2 or 3 weeks up there in 2008, but I may not be able to wait that long, especially if I keep seeing pictures like those.

That was my 1st time seeing a picture of Burgess Pass. Was that the best view of the trip?

 

[darren]

Wow, $62 for 2 people on the bus is expensive. I don't remember it being that high. I guess if the camping went up 50% the bus could have too. Like I said, the US$ was better back then. Everything was 1/3 off.

roadtripper - you ready for '07?

- darren

 

[giggy]

I have just been wowed - nice pix.

 

[Seeker]

That's actually a "wow" face. Just glorious.

I gotta get up there. The grizzly's do scare me though. (Now it's an "eek" face.)

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

I have used the Canon panoramic software and found it lacking, at least when compared to many of the shareware panorama photo software that is faster and seemingly has a much better stitching algorithm. Might want to check it out Panarama Factory.

Thanks Jay. I'll have to check it out.

That was my 1st time seeing a picture of Burgess Pass. Was that the best view of the trip?

Hmm. One of the best views. It's hard to say though -- everything we did was beautiful. I would say the views from Burgess Pass and Snowbird Pass (dayhike from Berg Lake in Mt. Robson Park) were probably my favorite. I think Steve's favorite was Tonquin Valley.

 

[darren]

That's actually a "wow" face. Just glorious.

I gotta get up there. The grizzly's do scare me though. (Now it's an "eek" face.)

The magic number is 4. There has never been a documented bear attack against a group of 4 or more people. So, you and 3 of your friends should be fine. Anyway, you can always go with Metsky and then you only have to outrun him and not the bear.

- darren

 

[David Metsky]

Anyway, you can always go with Metsky and then you only have to outrun him and not the bear.

Hey! I'm right here in the room!

-dave-

 

[Seeker]

ROTFLMAO!!!

Good one! HA!

Yep. He's got such short little legs I'll bet I could outrun him.

Actually, it would be a matter of who could play dead better.