Banff and Jasper National Parks

June 24 – Banff & Jasper NP.  Today we cross the border into Canada. There are three border crossings near Glacier National Park. Sweetgrass, MT is about 25 miles east of Glacier on I-15. The center crossing is on Hwy 89, the road that runs near the eastern edge of Glacier NP and goes to Cardston, Alberta. The third crossing is a gateway between Glacier NP and Waterton NP on the Canadian side of the border.

We filled with gas on the U.S. side and headed north toward Cardston. A couple miles south of the border we stopped to clean a few carrots, onions and apples which are [sometimes] not allowed into Canada. Everyone tries to figure out what foods are allowed and which aren’t but, in this case, it wasn’t a problem. We pulled into the entry lane and were asked the typical questions and sent on our merry way by the pleasant Canadian Border Guard.

The first major town in Canada is Calgary. From there, we could take the main highway north to Edmonton then go west toward Grande Prairie. The other option was to take Hwy 1 from Calgary and go through Banff and Jasper National Parks. We decided on the latter and I wonder how I could have even considered any other route. Even in the rain, the road through Banff is amazing. Every turn in the road leaves you with an oh-my-gosh moment.

A bonus was seeing the first big critter of the Canadian portion of the trip. A huge bull elk was on the edge of the tree-line chewing his dinner. Unfortunately, we saw him too late to pull over for a photo but we have great memories of him.

We traveled through Banff into Jasper NP. Unfortunately, the rain continued so we kept moving knowing we will travel this section of road again on our return trip toward home. We camped at Mosquito Creek campground right along the highway. It rained much of the night but our little Roadtrek was warm and cozy.

We woke to sunshine and continued the trip north. Even though it’s late June, the mountain tops are still snow covered and the views are breathtaking. What else can you say about the views? Breathtaking? Amazing? Unbelievable? They all fit.

Along the way we stopped at several pull-offs, but the longest was reserved for the Athabasca Glacier. The drive to the parking area has signs marking the historical locations of the leading edge of the glacier dating back to the early 1900’s. Over the past hundred years or so, it has receded a couple miles.

The mountains are grand...

and the lakes aren't bad either!

In front of the Athabasca Glacier

The leading edge of the glacier was here in 1942.

This young lady was celebrating her 27th birthday and dressed in her Canadian Rockies best outfit.

What a concept. All electric Tesla pulling the Pod with mounted solar.

Hwy 93, the main route through Jasper NP, goes through the town of Jasper, Alberta. What a great town. Of course it thrives only because of the tourist industry, but it’s kept spick and clean and everyone we talked to was helpful and friendly. We made a quick stop at the info center and were on our way.

Just outside of town we encountered a small herd of elk.  They were mostly cows and a few yearling bulls. Later we learned they stay in this area because it’s close to town where the wolves tend to stay away.

Soon we were off Hwy 93 and onto Hwy 40 near Hinton, AB. The sign near the junction read “Rte 40 Scenic Route to Alaska”. I have to admit, it wasn’t bad. We spent the night at the Gregg Lake Campgound in the William Switzer Provencial Park.