Banff

From Kicking Horse Mountain Resort we drove on Highway to Spiral Railway, then onto Lake Louise.  The lake was still frozen and provided spectacular scenery with Victoria Glacier and the Fairmont Chateau.

Lake Louise with Victoria Glacier

Lake Louise

We picked our daughter Briony up from the Banff bus station (she had travelled from Calgary) and drove onto Banff where we stayed for 2 days.  Even though the weather had turned a bit drizzly and cold, we had fantastic quality time with Briony - was very helpful with what to see in and around Banff as she had been here before.

'the girls' in RV @ Banff

Caught the town bus into Banff and walked down Banff Avenue.  Hopped on another bus and went out to Fairmont Springs Hotel - magnificent architecture.  Spent time looking inside as it was cold outside!!  Back into town again for more sightseeing (great having personal guide) then back to camp for freshen up before going out to The Bicen for dinner.

Banff Avenue

Banff

Fairmont Springs Hotel

Briony & Helen on the courtyard of the Fairmont Springs Hotel

Trying to look very regal in the Fairmont Springs Hotel

Had to drop Briony back at the bus stop (short visit but will spend 3 weeks when we go to Calgary), then headed north.  The sun had come out again and the scenery was spectacular (seem to say that all the time!).  Travelled to Jasper taking in Herbert Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Saskatchewan River Crossing, Coleman Creek and Weeping Wall.  Continued to Icefield Centre where we encountered heaps of tourists.  Had a great view of Athabasca Glacier and Dome Glacier at the Tourist Centre so did not bother with a bus tour out to Glacier.  Athabasca Glacier is approx 6kms long, covers an area of 6km2 and is measured to be between 90-300 metres thick. The glacier currently recedes at a rate of about 5 metres per year and has receded more than 1.5km and lost over half of its volume in the past 125 years.  The glacier moves down from the icefield at a rate of several centimetres per day.

A Raven checking out the Motor Home

Crowfoot Glazier

Looking back to road we drove up through the valley on way to Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier

Tour buses on Athabasca Glacier

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Tourist Centre @ Athabasca Glacier

Dome Glacier

From the Icefields we drove onto Tangle Creek Falls and the spectacular Athabasca Falls.  From here we continued into Jasper where we camped the night.  What a great day with sun out all adding to the magnificent scenery.

Tangle Creek Falls

Athabasca Falls

Our camp at Jasper