Sunny Sunday Seeing Superb Sights..

 I had the worst nights sleep last night. I was far too hot, the pillow was like a lumpy rucksack and there was so much noise from outside (and inside!)

When we checked in the guy on reception did warn us that the Elks, Cougars and something else that I can’t remember could be quite noisy at night. I think that also made me keep waking up to see if I could hear them 🤷🏼‍♀️

Honestly thought I could at one point and was desperately grabbing for my phone when I realised the strange noises were just coming from Dan! 

Anyway, once we were both up, later than I’d hoped for due to my tiredness, we pootled out for a delicious breakfast wrap, rented some bear spray (yep it’s a must even if you’re not going on big hikes) and also purchased a pre-packed sandwich from the petrol station on the corner. I know, me, buying pre packed sandwiches from a petrol station but I just wanted something to have in my bag as I knew there wasn’t much to be found on the Icefields Parkway. 

And yes it was very cold. Was actually -6 so positively balmy compared to the original forecast! Beautiful though, sunny and bright blue skies. Absolutely perfect. 

We had a bit of a stress then as none of our gadgets would work to provide us the way to the route we wanted. Plus, I’d pre-bought the Icefields Parkway guide on this highly recommended app called GuideAlong which wouldn’t bloody open up/download or anything. I had to run back in the hotel to get back on WiFi to see if I could get it started. It worked briefly but only to tell me I was too far from the route and shutdown again! 

Eventually we were off! It’s about 60 km to the Icefields Parkway from here (the Parkway itself is 232km long) and as we turned on to it, my app kicked in and there was a lovely man explaining where we were and what we’d see next! It was such a good app. Really interesting information about the area and some of the key people involved in making it what it is today - such as mapping out the full mountain range and naming some of them. 

Now I’ve researched, reviewed, questioned, reviewed again, interrogated maps, planned, planned and planned some more but nothing could quite prepare me for what we saw. God it is utterly stunning. Mind blowingly vast and rugged and so, so beautiful and of course the weather helped. 

I cannot do it justice with words so I won’t attempt to. I’ll also try not to keep repeating words too! 

It’s well signposted and easy to pull over to stop and check the view or even to leave the car and go for a hike. 

Our first stop was Hector Lake. We parked up and it was just a short walk down to the waters edge - wow! You could see the reflection of the mountains so clearly in the water 

After a short time here we got back on the road and headed to Bow Lake. 

This place was somewhat busier than the previous stop so we had to drive round a bit to find a parking space which was an also a bit of a further walk from the Lodge and make. Suited me! 

The lodge was built by Jimmy Simpson was was sent to Canada from Britain (Scotland I think) as he was a bit of a layabout/tearaway. Anyway he fell in love with the mountains and area and eventually built this hexagonal lodge in the early 1900’s. If I remember rightly he lived there for years with his wife and kids, completely remotely. He became a guide for the area too having extensive knowledge of the area. 

Anyway, here’s the lake and the lodge (it’s been done up a bit since old Jimmy lived there!!) oh and two weirdos from Manchester!! 

We had a good old wander about here and then hopped back in the car and on our way to Peyto Lake - this is a very popular lake as it’s one of the most beautiful here and is at the top of Bow Summit which is 6786feet high.

Car park was rammed here but Dan quickly spotted someone coming out and I was in it before you could say ‘it’s my space now f*$k off’ hahaha! 

 There’s a short-ish but moderately challenging hike up to the viewing point. It’s more challenging as the air is much thinner so it does make you puff a fair bit whilst walking g up the hills!

Finally made it up there to be faced with a sea of chattering, elbow barging, view hogging, selfie taking tourists 🤦🏼‍♀️😬.

We managed to manoeuvre ourselves around them to get some fabulous photos but when I tried to just take 5 minutes to take in the view and enjoy it I had phones shoved almost over my shoulder and into my eyeline or someone just staring at me, standing very close so that I’d shift! I mean I get it, it’s a tourist spot and we’re also tourist but have some bloody decorum and manners for crying out loud. Would hate to be hear in peak season. 

But look, that view was worth it….

We took a lovely walk back down through the forest rather than the main path which was so quiet and peaceful!

Ooh this could be our chance to see a bear or some other wildlife - we were told that the bear spray could/should also be used on Elks as they were particularly aggressive at the minute as its mating season. 

Ok so maybe I need to see this wildlife from the comfort of my car!! 

After Peyto Lake it was on to Wildfowl Lake. 

It was well after lunch now so we decided to find ourselves a nice rock or bench to sit on to enjoy our petrol station sandwiches!! God we’re so classy 😂😂

Oh and there was someone swimming in this lake. Jeez he was one brave man - even outside of the water I was in a t-shirt, a thick jumper, my Rab (lightweight) coat and a woolly hat!! 

We found our rock and sat to chill out, enjoy the view and try these sandwiches.

Well it was bloody delicious I have to say. Packed with filling and so fresh! The view was outstanding too..as I said to Dan, it did actually make the lunch with a view we had in Yosemite pale somewhat. 

Another little wander around here and it was back to the car to push on. 

Along every stretch and round every bend on the parkway there are more jaw-dropping views of the mountains and glaciers… 

The last photo there is of Crowfoot Glacier, so called cos it resembles a crowsfoot - when you’re at the right angle. I stiff me a bit to quite capture it on my phone camera..

We had hoped to stop off at Mistaya Canyon where you can go for a decent little hike but the parking lot was rammed full. 

We drove on and at Saskatchewan River Crossing we filled up with fuel and turned round to head back. This is about halfway on the parkway and I’d always planned for us to turn back here as we’ll be doing the parkway again when we move on to Jasper. We can then do more stops on the 2nd half which takes us into Jasper. 

We tried again to stop as Mistaya Canyon but no joy so that will be a definite first stop on Tuesday. 

We’ve agreed that Lake Louise is not going to be an absolute must do on this trip. It gets so busy and there’s so many other stunning places to see. If we can get there we will but no biggy. Anyway, we passed by the turn off for it on the way back and the signs were up showing the car park was full. 

We got back into Banff and Dan went straight off to do a wash at the launderette, whilst I chilled in a bar with a beer and sorted through all the photos! 

Back to the hotel for a quick shower then out for dinner. Only blummin found these Elk loitering outside our bedroom window as we were about to leave…

Time for a curry we had decided. Oh god it was good but again the portions were so massive. I felt guilty not eating it all and it’s not like we could box it up and bring it back to the hotel room. Though Dan was quite keen to!! That would be lovely wouldn’t it..a congealing curry in the room with no way of heating it or eating it..I’ve already eaten one meal this holiday with a pen 😂. 

One more beer after that and it was time to head back. Another big day tomorrow..we’re off to hike round Emerald Lake and up to Takkakaw Falls..

Bit warmer tomorrow though, due to start at -3 and make it up to 9 degrees..