Banff National Park

Last week we traveled to Banff National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It was our first hiking trip with Henry and we had high expectations - hoping to see wildlife, take on couple of challenging hikes and find time for some much needed relaxation. It was everything we hoped for and more. We began the trip with a five hour flight to Calgary. In the morning we explored Prince's Island Park before making the final 2 hour drive to Banff. We met my cousin, Kelly, and her family in Canmore (a mountain town just outside of the park) for lunch. Then it was on to Banff for the next 5 days. Click here for the photo gallery.
















Day 1: Drove through the village and took the Banff gondola up Sulpher Mountain. The 360 views from the summit were amazing - Bow River and Falls, Fairmont Banff Springs and Mount Rundle to name a few.






















Day 2: Hiked along the Bow River. Mark's 'internal compass' led us down the trail less traveled...and unmarked. We heard an Elk alerting her babies danger was near (danger=us) and hightailed it straight up the mountain to the Hoodoos.


























Day 3: Drove along Bow Valley Parkway and saw two black bears, a herd of big horn sheep and several mule deer. (See photos of the wildlife in the gallery.) Hiked Johnston Canyon and saw two waterfalls and despite the downpour we reached the'Inkpots' at the top. The waterfalls were beautiful and the rain made them even better as they were rushing at full force. The Inkpots were interesting, although due to the rain they were not as brilliant as we expect they would be on a sunny day. After 12km and 200+ meter elevation we were ready for a day of rest.




















Day 4: Rest and relaxation! We wandered around Banff village and spent most of the day in the hot pools at our condo...Mark and I soaking our tired bodies and Henry splashing around. The views from the condo and the pools were gorgeous as our resort was situated at the bottom of Mount Rundle.

















Day 5:We drove to Lake Louise and hiked straight up the mountain 4km to Lake Agnes. The lake had ice floating on it and sections of the trail were covered with 1-1.5 meters of packed snow. We trekked through the snow and made it to the Teahouse at Lake Agnes. Although we wanted to continue to the Big Beehive (another 2km) the trail was covered in snow which would be too dangerous with Henry. Still, the views from Lake Agnes were breathtaking and by the time we made it down the mountain the sun appeared and Lake Louise looked like a mirror reflecting the mountains...absolutely gorgeous.

























Mark carried Henry in his baby carrier backpack the entire week. Then it was time to teach him how to walk on his own. It was a picture perfect week....except we didn't have Jake. (He went on his own vacation to our neighbour's 'puppy spa' so he wasn't too upset.)