Like the title says, we went back to beautiful Banff this year at the end of May for 9 days. It was just as amazing as the first time. Maybe more so this time because we stayed at multiple campgrounds, closer the places we knew were going to visit. Moraine Lake, Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, etc.
This saved us a whole lot of driving and allowed us to spend more time at each location. For example we spent and entire day at Moraine Lake, and visited Peyto Lake twice, and Bow Lake 3 times. This time, we were more focused on spending quality time in Banff, as opposed to racing off to each spot with an eye on the time. I highly recommend this approach.
Moraine Lake
As I mentioned earlier, we spent nearly an entire day here. We caught the first shuttle at 6am or there abouts, and stayed on the rockpile for most of it. We did do a short hike to the end of the lake, but that’s about it. Somewhere along the way, I got the bright idea to go to The Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise for lunch. I use the word “bright”, because it was a great idea. We had the most amazing lunch at Louiza and a couple of drinks. They gave us blankets and everything. It seemed like we might have been their first customers. It really wasn’t very busy. We definitely recommend this place if you’ve worked up at appetite hiking up to the Little Bee Hive, or Lake Agnes Teahouse.
Lake Louise
A must visit on any trip to Banff. Even if you’re just passing through. You have to stop here…it’s the law. And have lunch at the Fairmont when you do.
It’s not one of my favourite locations in Banff, though it is Sher’s. So I see it as a challenge to get a good picture here. So far, I’ve been mostly unsuccessful. Though I did get a couple of bangers of the canoe shack, and a couple of Sher. You can judge for yourself, there’ll be a couple of images in the gallery. But I’m glad we stopped here. We even paid to park, even though the parking attendants hinted at not paying since it was close to the cut off where you didn’t need to pay anymore. It was hard to tell what the message being sent was. One of them was pretty cranky…
Emerald Lake
This wasn’t necessarily on our itinerary, but we passed through here anyway and did a quick hike part way down.
We actually learned something during that short hike. If you’re standing on the bridge that connects the the Lodge and Lake, and look towards the end of the lake on the left, you’ll see what appears to be a clear cut section of trees. This infact is where avalanches happen and nothing really grows there. I guess it gets wiped out nearly every winter.
Avalanche Path
Johnson Lake
Through our many trips to Two Jack Lakeside Campground and Vermillion Lakes, we passed the sign for this lake so many times and ignored it. This time, no-can-do. We actually made our way on this trip and we were surprised at what awaited us there. This an amazing lake and picnic area. A word to the wise though, apparently there some infected fish there and the mud and lake water are contaminated with some kind of bacteria that will make you pretty sick. They don’t want you going in the water, or touching the mud during a certain time of year. There’s even a washing station at the entrance, just in case you trip and fall and land in the lake…
Parks Canada has added lots of signage, you really can’t miss it.
Lake Minnewanka
On our first time in Banff National Park, we make a quick trip to Lake Minewanka. Though I don’t remember it. Sher says we did, so I guess I can’t argue.
This time I remember. We actually came here twice during this trip. The first time was just a drive through. We passed by just see if there was anything of note. I was deterred by the marina. It’s the first thing you see, and I wasn’t that impressed. The second time we came by, a couple of days later and actually parked. It was pretty hot that day, and I didn’t feel much like walking. I’m glad we did though, as the views as walk passed the marina and toward the picnic area pretty spectacular. Surrounded by Mount Inglismaldiek, Mount Girouard, Mount Aylmer, Mount Astley, and Mount Peechee, it’s stop on your trip that shouldn’t be avoided.
Not too long, I read an article about a vehicle being found at the bottom of the lake. So this only adds to the attraction. Looking for another reason to visit? How ’bout this?
Bow Lake/The Lodge at Bow Lake
We had a hard top campground at Silverhorn, which is just up the road from Bow Lake. So it was easy to visit, and visit we did. We spent quite a bit of time here. They almost know us by name at the Lodge at Bow Lake. They definitely recognized us. The hot chocolate here is to die for. It’s best we’ve ever had, hands down. Our first day here it was raining. But we didn’t let that stop us. It actually added to the appeal and made for some great pictures and video. I hope that’s obvious when you see them in the gallery.
We did to the Bow Glacier Falls Trail. Or at least part of it. Sher did more than I did. My feet were killing me and 4.6kms one way seemed a bit much for me. Eventually she turned around and came back, after leaving me to fend for myself for about 45 minutes…
The Wrap Up
I could go on and on about this trip. We spent many peaceful mornings by Two Jack Lake. This was by design. This campground is so amazing, we wanted to spend as much time as we could just sitting and looking at it. I’d say we accomplished that. We saw some pretty decent sunsets, at Vermillion Lakes, Two Jack Lakeside and even a little bit of one at Johnson Lake.
All in, it was an awesome trip. Will we do it again, for the 4th time? Most definitely. It would be even better if we lived in Alberta. We haven’t ruled this out. There have been discussions.
So until then, or until the next time…
Check out our trips to beautiful Banff, here and here.
A large, bright blue lake is surrounded by dense evergreen forests and framed by rugged, snow-capped mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A person wearing a black jacket and beige knit hat is leaning on a wooden railing while taking a photo with a smartphone of a bright blue lake surrounded by dense evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of people gather near a rustic stone and wood building with a large peaked roof beside a body of water. The setting is surrounded by dense evergreen trees. A bridge and rocky shoreline are also visible in the scene.
A serene lake with turquoise water is bordered by a dense forest of evergreen trees. A small wooden cabin sits at the edge of the lake with several red canoes lined up next to it. Snow-capped mountains rise in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A wooden cabin sits on the edge of a turquoise lake, surrounded by dense evergreen trees. Red canoes are lined up on a dock in front of the cabin, with a rocky shoreline visible in the foreground.
A fast-flowing stream runs through a forested area with dense green trees on both sides and a rocky riverbed.
A turquoise glacial lake is surrounded by a rocky shore and dense evergreen forest, with towering snow-capped mountain peaks in the background under a cloudy sky.
A turquoise lake is surrounded by a dense forest and snow-covered rocky mountains under a partly cloudy sky. A sandy shoreline with some small boats is visible on the right side.
A turquoise lake surrounded by evergreen trees and rocky terrain with snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
A turquoise lake is surrounded by a dense forest of evergreen trees and rocky terrain. Snow-capped mountains rise prominently in the background under an overcast sky. Some patches of snow are visible along the lower slopes near the lake.
A wooden dock extends out onto a calm lake, with forested mountains and snow-capped peaks in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A calm turquoise river runs alongside a dense forest of evergreen trees with mountains visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
A river flows through a forested area with tall evergreen trees on both sides. In the background, there is a large snow-capped mountain under a cloudy sky.
A close-up of tree branches with brown pine cones and dry pine needles against a blurred background of green foliage.
A person is paddleboarding on a calm lake surrounded by dense evergreen trees, with tall rocky mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A close-up view of green pine tree branches with a blurred background of a turquoise lake and dense evergreen forest.
A close-up of the top of a green pine tree with a blurred view of a mountain range in the background under a clear blue sky.
The image shows a serene lake with clear, calm water that reflects the silhouette of a forest and mountain range. The sun is partially obscured by the mountain, creating a starburst effect and casting reflections on the water. The sky above is mostly clear with some wispy clouds.
A calm lake reflects surrounding evergreen trees and a range of snow-capped mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic view of a mountain lake surrounded by dense evergreen trees and mountains in the background. Four informational signboards are positioned on the gravel shore near the water, providing details likely related to the natural environment and history of the area. The sky is cloudy, creating a calm and overcast atmosphere.
A wooden dock extends into a calm lake with mountains covered in trees and patches of snow in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A serene river flows through a dense forest of evergreen trees with mountains visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
A blue and white tent is set up in a forested area surrounded by tall trees and greenery. There is a picnic table visible in the background to the right of the tent.
A clear lake reflects surrounding mountains and a blue sky. In the foreground, tall green grasses grow along the water's edge. The mountains in the background are partially covered with trees and some snow. The scene is calm and natural.
A scenic landscape featuring a calm lake with reflections of surrounding green hills, pine trees, and snow-capped mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Tall green grass is visible in the foreground near the water's edge.
A calm lake reflects surrounding mountains and a partly cloudy blue sky, with green grasses and trees along the shoreline.
A serene lake with clear blue water reflects the surrounding mountains and a partly cloudy sky during sunset. Grasses grow along the lake's edge in the foreground, and the mountains have areas illuminated by sunlight and areas in shadow.
A rocky shoreline beside a calm blue lake with forested hills and mountains in the background under a clear sky with scattered white clouds.
The image shows a large, calm lake surrounded by mountainous terrain on both sides. The mountains have patches of green forest and rocky surfaces. The sky above is bright blue with scattered white clouds. In the foreground, there are rocky outcrops bordering the water.
The image shows a serene mountain landscape with rocky cliffs in the foreground and forested slopes leading up to rugged peaks. A large body of blue-green water is visible, bordered by trees and rocky terrain. The sky is clear with a few small clouds.
A landscape showing a large lake with rocky and forested shores, backed by steep, rugged mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
The image shows a person wearing a beige knit hat in the foreground, overlooking a lake surrounded by evergreen trees. In the background, there is a large mountain partially covered with snow, and a red building is visible across the lake near the tree line.
A person dressed in a dark jacket is throwing snow into the air beside a frozen lake, with snow-covered rocky mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
A person wearing a beanie and jacket is throwing ice shards into the air near a frozen lake with snow-covered mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
A person wearing a dark jacket, maroon pants, and a beige hat is standing on a wooden bridge, facing a partially frozen lake with snow-covered mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
A ground-level view of small white flowers with yellow centers growing among green leaves, surrounded by brown twigs and branches on a forest floor.
The image shows a partially frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky. On the left side, there is a rocky shoreline with some evergreen trees and sparse vegetation. The overall atmosphere appears cold and overcast.
A wooden bridge extends over a small body of water towards a partially frozen lake with snow-covered mountains in the background under a cloudy sky. Some evergreen trees and rocky terrain are visible around the water.
A wooden pier extends over a body of water with floating ice, set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains under an overcast sky. Some trees and shrubs are visible on the shore near the pier.
A wooden pier extends over a partially frozen lake with snow-covered mountains in the background under a cloudy sky. The landscape appears cold and overcast, with a mix of water, ice, and rocky shoreline visible.
A partially frozen lake with chunks of ice and a log in the foreground, surrounded by snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky.
