jim grigsby
Canton, TX
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We are planning to go to Alaska in 2010. And this summer to Glacier Nat'l Park. From there up into Canada (probably Banff Nat'l Park) to get a feel for traveling in Canada. Maybe make a circle and come back to US near the west coast. Where do you recommend going in Canada?
Jim
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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From Glacier - East side0 go north into Waterton National Park - the Canadian 'half' of Glacier-Waterton international Peace Park. From Waterton, north to Pincher Creek then after 1 mile west go north on highway 22 to Longview. West into Kananaskis Country and north to the Trans Canada Highhway (TCH) west into Banff Nat. Park. Base at Lake Louise cg and have at least 3 days to tour - a day around lake Louise/Yoho N.P. (Moraine Lake, Emerald lake and Takkakkaw falls routes; a day north on the Icefields Parkway - Bow lake, peyto ;ake and as far as the Columbia Icefield, and a day back to Banff townsite - Lake Minnewanka route. From Lake Louise you can then go west to Golden BC where you have a choice - south on 95 to Radium and tour Kootenay National Park from there and then south back into Idaho. If you want to get to the west coast - at Sandpoint take highway 2 west and at Wilber take 174 to Grand Coulee dam, then north to Omak to take 20 across North Cascades national Park to the coast.
OR from Golden BC stay on the TCH to Vancouver area then south into Washington.
FRom there - if you still want to return to TX - you are on your own.
Enjoy!! John
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larryandpaula
Vancouver BC
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We love Jasper National Park. We like it better than Banff - but that's not to say that Banff isn't worth visiting - just make sure Jasper is on your list, too. You can drive north from Banff/Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway and visit the Columbia Icefield on your way to Jasper.
Coming down the coast would be great - you can visit Vancouver - there's lots of great scenery between Jasper and Vancouver (and some more Rocky Mountain National Parks!). You can make your way into the US via Seattle - but the big draw, for us anyway, is the Oregon Coast. It's stunning. Not to be missed if you manage to hit the West Coast. Lots of great places to camp.
Have fun planning!
Paula
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Suzanne and Brad
Oregon
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HI Jim
We just spent the summer in Glacier and Alberta & BC, Canada - lots of info (campgrounds, places to go, restaurants, etc....) in our travel blog (below). Read back to July & August, and feel free to email if you have any questions.
Happy Travels!
Suzanne & Brad
http://campingandtravels.blogspot.com
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bobofthenorth
Somewhere in North America
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And now for a contrary opinion. Banff is completely over rated. It is over run by oriental tourists, the main street looks more lke Tokyo than the Canadian Rockies.
Go to Lake Louise by all means but give Banff a miss. Try Lougheed Provincial park, Kananaskis Country, Radium, Fairmont, go to the Stampede. Cranbrook, Kimberley, Blairmore, Frank Slide, the bar in Longview - all those places are way more interesting than Banff has ever been. IMHO
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gonzo71
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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If you are a race fan stop in Edmonton for the Edmonton Indy.
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bdhoun
Waterdown, Ontario
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bobofthenorth wrote:And now for a contrary opinion. Banff is completely over rated. It is over run by oriental tourists, the main street looks more lke Tokyo than the Canadian Rockies.
Go to Lake Louise by all means but give Banff a miss. Try Lougheed Provincial park, Kananaskis Country, Radium, Fairmont, go to the Stampede. Cranbrook, Kimberley, Blairmore, Frank Slide, the bar in Longview - all those places are way more interesting than Banff has ever been. IMHO
I will agree. My wife and I honeymooned in Banff. It is pretty much a toursit trap, but there is some beautiful country surrounding it.
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PrivatePilot
Courtice, Ontario, Canada
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We enjoyed Banff, personally, and would go back again. YMMV.
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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Bobofthenorth and others - you need to be specific - Banff national Park (of just Banff Park) vs. Banff town. I tend to agree with you IF you mean Banff town although some/many folks enjoy that type of kitsch.
Most visitors cannot tell if you are downgrading the ParK or the Town.
To repeat - be specific in such posts please.
John
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bobofthenorth
Somewhere in North America
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I was plenty specific. I referred to avoiding the town and I referred to avoiding the area. Can't get much more specific than that. You may not like that opinion but its my opinion.
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