Banff Suggestions

[E.B. West]

We'll be in Banff starting July 6th for about a week. Other than the whole place, can you give me some suggestions for "must see" spots while we're there?

[Keith]

are you doing Jasper as well???

Banff must see from a photography perspective I would suggest -

Moraine Lake- MUST for sunrise shots- valley of 10 peaks
Lake Louise- a must -
Mount Rundle
Icefields parkway: lake louise to athabasca glacier

Northeast of town is Tunnel Mtn and behind it is Lake Minnewanka, large lake surrounded by tall peaks. to the north is Cascade Mtn and Mount Norquay, a popular ski area.

Vermillion Lakes- west of teh townsite is an excellent are for wildlife photography, plus their is some classic views of Mt Rundle. Probably the best time to visit is dawn and early evening. Vermillion Lakes drive is a thre mile dead end road that runs north of Vermillion lakes and parallel with the Trans Canada Highway. Vermilion Lakes is a marshy section of the bow river, making it ideal for moose, beaver, muskrat, bighorn sheep trave the gravel slope.

Sunshine - 6 miles west of banff- road is partly paved and part gravel and bighorn sheep are commonly seen. This area is particularly good in summer when some 300 species of wildflower cover the meadows.

Classic Photos
- Banff Springs Hotel from bow river
- Banff townsite and bow river valley from top of sulphur mtn
- Mount Rundle from Vermillion lakes
- Lake louise and mount victoria from Chateau Lake Louise
- Moraine Lake and Ten Peaks from top of rock pile
- Peyto Lake from Peyto Lake Viewpoint
- Athabasca Glacier from the Columbia Icefield Chalet

to name a few ;)

[E.B. West]

Thanks Keith!

I think I may have to extend my stay.

[Robert]

I'm hoping for August! Thanks Keith for the site list!:)

[Paul S]

Don't forget Yoho and Kootenay NPs. Both adjoin Banff NP, and are well worth the time. Make sure you drive through Kootenay in the evening if possible--wildlife coming out the wazoo! Yoho has Takakkaw Falls--at something like 600 ft--and Wapta Falls, which are only 100 ft tall, but have a ridiculuous amount of water crashing over them! (Disclaimer--I'm not sure Wapta falls are really 100ft. I'd have guessed something like 60 ft, but several websites say 100...)

-Paul

[Kevin]

Two Jack Lake was really nice in Banff. Crowfoot Mountain (if I recall correctly). For Vermillion Lakes, there are multiple places to go to shoot Mt Rundle. IMO, the most scenic shots were far down the road (you'll understand when you get there). The road around Two Jack Lake we saw some elk which was kind of cool. Really there's no bad places and I was overwhelmed by the scenery.

[E.B. West]

Thanks everybody, we'll be there this Friday and try to get to as many places as we can. We've been in Glacier the last 2 weeks and I'm still trying to catch up on the processing. That place is amazing.