Start time: 0700
Start odometer: 8164
After spending much time in the sun, I was able to get a decent rate at this motel inside the park. Plus, knowing the exchange rate will make it even better is comforting. I was glad, as it was 1715 I did not want to try to hunt for a room later in the evening.
It was a great weather day, though at 46 degrees this morning, it was a little cool. It was a pleasant drive from Canmore to Banff, and watching the sunshine as it came down the mountainsides of the Rockies reminded me of my travels along Route 395 in California, where I witnessed the same effect the east side of the Sierra Nevada range. Part of the drive took me onto a limited access highway, so I will up my total mileage on "interstate" highways to 20 miles.
I arrived in Banff before most of the town was awake. I drove through the town and visited some of the sites suggested by a tourism rep I met in Glacier National Park. I saw a nice waterfall, interesting hoodoos (like the ones in Bryce,) and some impressive hotels. After breakfast, I headed to Sulpher Mountain to take a trip to the top in a gondola. Since it was still early and not busy, I got on immediately, and observed some spectacular scenery. It sky was clear, and other than a little haze, the view went on for quite a distance.
Highlights:
To be added soon!
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The Fairmont Banff Springs Resort |
Hoodoos in Banff. |
A view of Banff from the gondola up traveling up sulpher mountain. |
A closer look at the town. |
A view of the summit building, from a trail to an old weather shack. |
The trail along the top of the mountain. |
Another view of the town of Banff. |
From the same location as the previous picture, looking northwest. |
A nice couple offered to take my picture by the old weather building. |
The old building that used to house a weather observer. |
Back at the gondola summit building, this picture is looking at the old weather building seen in the previous building. |
There were many beautiful views from atop sulpher mountain. |
I decided to skip the ride down on the gondola and hiked back to the car. This is one of the supports for the gondola. |
Another gondola tower along the trail. |
Looking back up the hill. The trail is just over three miles. |
After returning to my car I continued my tour of Banff. The rivers have a pretty blue hue due to silt as they are runoffs from glaciers. |
I visited the Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada. |
The spring pool inside the cave. |
Near Banff, I took a hike to a canyon. Much of the trail ran along the side of the cliff. |
Looking down into the canyon. |
Beautiful Lake Louise! The color (in person) was incredible! |
A closer look at the south end of Lake Louise. |
A trail led alongside part of the lake. |
To get perspective, people can be seen on the rocks. |
One final look at Lake Louise. |
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Routes traveled today: Alberta 1A - Al 1 - Al 1A
Gas: .699/liter
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