Banff
Banff has the distinction of being Canada's first national park. Though it was originally designated a national park due to the hot springs in the area, it is the spectacular mountain scenery that makes Banff a gem.
Mount Rundle
Lake Minnewanka
Vermilion Lakes
Mountains from Vermilion Lakes
Wildlife in Banff
Banff is more impressive on the scenic front than the wildlife front. At least it seemed that way after being spoiled by the abundance of the wildlife in Yellowstone. Elk are the most common large animals. Bighorn sheep are also frequently seen.
Lake Louise
The Lake Louise area, about 30 miles north of Banff townsite, contains a series of gorgeous mountain lakes among which Lake Louise is the most well known. These lakes are blessed with a brilliant blue color which results from the light filtering effect of rock flour (a powdery substance that the glaciers grind off the mountain rocks) in the glacial runoff.
In the pictures of Lake Louise, you can see the Victoria Glacier in the distance.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is the most brilliant turquoise blue of the mountain lakes in the region. The color of the lake looks unreal, but these photos have not been tampered with in PhotoShop. The lake really is turquoise. The rock flour suspended in the water filters out much of the light spectrum, leaving this remarkable turquoise blue color.
Wildflowers near Peyto Lake
In this picture, milky white runoff from the glacier above is seen entering Peyto Lake. The milky white color is due to the rock flour which, when suspended in the lake, filters light to give the lake its brilliant blue color.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. These peaks towering above the lake give it a sense of grandeur, yet Moraine Lake nevertheless has an intimate feel.
Bow Lake
We were fortunate to come to Bow Lake at the final stages of its thaw. The ice on the lake added to the beauty of the scene. On this particular evening, the Bow Lake vista was so overwhelmingly beautiful that it almost hurt to try to take it all in. These pictures don't quite do the scene justice, but we hope that they give a taste of that beautiful evening at Bow Lake.
On the shores of Bow Lake is the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, a historic, octagonal inn. We enjoyed an excellent meal in the dining room which overlooks the lake.
Yoho
Yoho National Park, which adjoins Banff National Park, is only a few miles from Lake Louise.
Glaciers
In both Banff and Jasper parks, the mountains--with their enormous glaciers--fill visitors with a sense of majesty.
Jasper National Park
Jasper adjoins Banff to the North. While not as scenic as Banff, Jasper has much better wildlife viewing opportunities.
Jasper Wildlife
Mountain Goats
We were very fortunate in our mountain goat viewing in Jasper. Neither of us had ever seen mountain goats before. Mountain goats are generally rather hard to see as they prefer to stay at the top of the mountains, out of reach of any predators. However, in June, they migrate down to the naturally occuring mineral licks along the river in order to find nutrients.
