Banff to Jasper | FindPenguins

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Trip start
September 28, 2025
Banff to Jasper Traveler
Getting to Banff
September 29, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Red-eye flight from HNL to SFO, followed by a very empty flight to YYC (Calgary). There were only 2 of us in the upgraded economy section. So I got a window (and middle and aisle) seat but most of the flight was cloud covered.

Then a 2.5 hour drive to my accommodations in Johnston Canyon Lodge in Banff. Rest break in Canmore at a Canadian A&W which was family oriented. Mama burger (which I had), Papa burger, Sister burger, bathrooms marked as Mom and Pop.

Exhausted when I finally got to my accommodations, but the cabin was really nice and the restaurant was pretty good. Early rise, 4 am, tomorrow for a sunrise tour but the weather doesn't look promising.Read more
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Lake Moraine
September 30, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Sunrise was at 7:45 am but it never came for our Lake Moraine Sunrise Tour. Up at 4, at the Banff Train Station pickup (pitch black and I forgot my flashlight) at 515, at the Rockpile viewing site at 7.

While the sun was unable to punch through the overcast clouds and paint the peaks behind Lake Moraine, there was no wind so we got excellent reflections on the lake. And Lake Moraine is stunning, reflecting the tall peaks surrounding it.

After it was clear there would be no sunrise, I walked a little of the Lakeshore Trail before returning to the shuttle van. After being dropped off at Banff Train Station, I walked into town for a Cajun breakfast at Tooloulou's.Read more
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Johnston Canyon Hike
September 30, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
The Johnston Canyon Hike is a very popular and easy trail which was just outside my cabin. To the Upper Falls it is a 4 mile there and back which is relatively flat.

After my big breakfast, I drove back to my cabin and took a much needed nap. I started the hike after 3 pm, hoping for better weather and fewer fellow hikers. The narrow trail was still crowded and there was a 20 minute wait in line to see the Lower Falls up close. In comparison, the Upper Falls was much less impressive, but the entire hike was very scenic.Read more
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Icefields Parkway
October 1, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 34 °F
A 145 mile stretch of extremely scenic roadway linking Banff and Jasper. The drive had everything from mountain peaks, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers, all next or very close to the road.

It took me 6 hours, including the many stops, to reach Jasper. Because of the constant cold drizzle, I skipped several of the planned stops, otherwise it would have been closer to 8 hours.

I will return to the Icefields Parkway tomorrow to see the Athabasca Falls, then again on Friday to do a tour of the Athabasca Glacier and a hike. Finally, on Saturday I'll do another hike, then return on the road to Calgary.Read more
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Athabasca Falls
October 2, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
After the Maligne Lake tour, I drove back down the Icefields Parkway to see the Athabasca Pass and Falls.

After this I went to Evil Dave's next to my hotel. I ordered gyoza and what was called "Cowboy sushi". The gyoza was crunchy and dry (so spoiled by gyoza in Japan) and the sushi was tasty. It was grilled steak rolled in nori, battered and fried then covered with soy and wasabi sauces.Read more
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Best view on Icefields Parkway
October 3, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Heading back down the parkway for a glacier walk, I found my favorite view.
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Ice Odyssey Tour
October 3, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F
Back to the Columbia Icefields complex for a glacier walk. I had high hopes based on my previous walk on the Fox Glacier which included a walk in a 20 ft deep crevasse and an ice cave displaying the deep blue ice color.
But this glacier was flat with no features so the highlight was actually the vehicle getting us to the glacier. It was a small 6 person buggy, compared to the hulking buses carrying 100 guests. And the driver showed off its maneuverability doing doughnuts and drifting. We had a section beyond the bus location to ourselves. Looking back we could see the hundreds of guests squeezed into their walking location.
The only notable occurrence on this tour was me tweaking my back injury putting on the shoe crampons.Read more
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Wilcox Pass Trail
October 3, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 37 °F
Just south of the Columbia Icefields complex was the trailhead for the Wilcox Pass Trail. I chose to go up to a viewpoint with the iconic Red Chairs. While short, the hike was a little bit of an uphill grind and was very popular. I saw a number of couples and a large group (about 20) of Japanese hikers.
It was windy and chilly (snow flurries) but my back didn't give me any major problems.Read more
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Banff to Jasper Traveler
Last Day
October 4, 2025 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
I had scheduled the Parker Ridge Trail for this morning but with my back pull still bothering me and forecast of snow, I decided to skip it.
It was a 260 mile drive to my Calgary hotel and I caught several views on the Icefields Parkway that I missed going up it.
The rental car had a seat heater which I had on full and it kept my back pull happy. When I reached Lake Louise Banff, about halfway, I stopped to return my bear spray rental and did some walking/shopping.Read more
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Trip end
October 5, 2025