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Canada and USA this August
Hi Group,
We are in the early stages of putting together an itinerary for our trip this August. Flights and car hire are booked. We arrive at Calgary Airport in August for 10 days. We want to see Glacier NP in Montana. Also the Icefields Parkway and maybe Vancouver. My plan was to drive down to Glacier then along the "into the Sun Highway" to Whitefish. From here we could drive to Vancouver using Highway 3 in Canada. Is there a better more scenic route to take to get there? What places of interest (if any) are there along the way? We would then drive up to Whistler and then carry on back to the Icefields. Alternatively from Montana we could drive back up to Alberta and spend the time exploring thus giving British Columbia a miss this time (a good excuse to visit again). What recommendations would anyone give for "must see in Alberta"? Looking foward to any ideas and suggestions Thanks and regards Bob |
#3
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Canada and USA this August
schrieb
Hi Bob, 10 days is ambitious for your planned itinerary. Don't underestimate the driving distances! My plan was to drive down to Glacier I'd suggest a little detour from Calgary to Drumheller, for a little hike through Horseshoe Canyon, to see the Hoodoos and the Royal Tyrrell Museum. From there you can take the smaller secondary highways down to Leth- bridge and Glacier NP Is there a better more scenic route to take to get there? Highway 3 is quite scenic! Don't miss the Le Roi mine in Rossland, and try your luck with some gold panning. There are some spectacular views (and even a reals desert!) near Osoyoos. The next gold mine is waiting for you in Hedley, and Manning Park has some great hiking trails just off the highway. We would then drive up to Whistler and then carry on back to the Icefields. I don't like Whistler: Much too 'touristy' to my taste, but the drive up there form Vancouver is spectacular! But it gets even better when you drive in the opposite direction (to avoid backtracking you might consider doing the whole round trip counterclockwise) The drive to Kamploops from there is very nice whichever route you take (given the lack of time I'd just stay on Hwy 99/97) On the way to the Icefields Parkway: From Clearwater drive up the Wells Gray Park to see the Helmcken Falls. (a good excuse to visit again). You won't need an excuse: The region is highly addictive so you probably can't help going there again anyway, and in 10 days you catch only a short glimpse of some of the major highlights. I still discover new things each time, after a dozen or so trips. As for Vancouver Island (Brian's suggestion): Difficult! I'd say the museum in Victoria is a "must see", but going there from Vancouver you'd loose a whole day. According to your e-mail address you are from the UK? They say Victoria is 'very British' - it isn't. They have red double decker buses, and offer high tea in the Empress hotel and that's about it. And you have much nicer parks than Butchart Gardens at home too, so you'd probably be very disappointed after having paid a very hefty entrance fee (and it's crowded with busloads of tourists at any given time) Jochen from Germany |
#4
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Canada and USA this August
On Jan 26, 9:45*pm, "
wrote: Hi Group, We are in the early stages of putting together an itinerary for our trip this August. Flights and car hire are booked. We arrive at Calgary Airport in August for 10 days. We want to see Glacier NP in Montana. Also the Icefields Parkway and maybe Vancouver. My plan was to drive down to Glacier then along the "into the Sun Highway" to Whitefish. From here we could drive to Vancouver using Highway 3 in Canada. Is there a better more scenic route to take to get there? What places of interest (if any) are there along the way? We would then drive up to Whistler and then carry on back to the Icefields. Alternatively from Montana we could drive back up to Alberta *and spend the time exploring thus giving British Columbia a miss this time (a good excuse to visit again). What recommendations would anyone give for "must see in Alberta"? Looking foward to any ideas and suggestions Thanks and regards Bob There's great things to see and do in both Alberta and British Columbia, and you will have no shortage of places to visit. I would forget Victoria, and also pass on Vancouver unless you want to visit a city. However, they're both nice. A nice visit might include a visit to Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks which are all adjacent to each other in the Rockies, Take Hwy 5 south from west of Jasper down to Little Fort and then Hwy 24 to Hwy 97 and then south to Hwy 99, then west to the coast. The drive before Lillooet is very nice, and the drive afterward spectacular. The ski resort Whistler will be along the way after the real nice scenery. You then enter Vancouver from the north. Hwy 3 will take you toward Glacier Nat. Park, USA, but if you choose to miss it, Canada 1 will take you through or close to Mt. Revelstoke NP, and Canada's Glacier NP. and then you can continue on to Banff NP by either Yoho NP or Kootenay NP, and back to Calgary. On this route, near the end you could also detour to Glacier (USA). Wherever you go, and whatever you do, in this areas you should have an excellent vacation. Don't try to see it all, because it's impossible. The nice thing about the driving is most of it's scenic. George |
#5
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Canada and USA this August
Don't miss Yoho National Park (http://xml.garygapinski.com/Yoho.kmz).
While I have yet to visit all the major parks in North America, I'd venture it is the most scenic mountain park. The drive up the valley from Highway 1 to Takakkaw Falls is spectacular, as are the falls. If you are (very) ambitious, plan a hike to Twin Falls returning on the west side of the valley (~20km circuit from Takakkaw Falls). See http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/index_E.asp for more information. The Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper is quite scenic. It's a long way to Glacier National Park, and even farther to Vancouver. I suspect you could profitably spend all 10 days between Calgary and Jasper. |
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Canada and USA this August
On 1/27/08 12:30 AM, in article , "BrianK" wrote: On 1/26/2008 3:45 PM did the "neutron dance", then made these writings: Hi Group, We are in the early stages of putting together an itinerary for our trip this August. Flights and car hire are booked. We arrive at Calgary Airport in August for 10 days. We want to see Glacier NP in Montana. Also the Icefields Parkway and maybe Vancouver. My plan was to drive down to Glacier then along the "into the Sun Highway" to Whitefish. From here we could drive to Vancouver using Highway 3 in Canada. Is there a better more scenic route to take to get there? What places of interest (if any) are there along the way? We would then drive up to Whistler and then carry on back to the Icefields. Alternatively from Montana we could drive back up to Alberta and spend the time exploring thus giving British Columbia a miss this time (a good excuse to visit again). What recommendations would anyone give for "must see in Alberta"? Looking foward to any ideas and suggestions Thanks and regards Bob I understand what you are trying to do, but there are a few gaps in your itinerary. Highway 3 doesn't go within 100 miles of Vancouver. You could re-enter Canada after your visit to Whitefish joining Hwy 3 and following it through the various mountain ranges. It is a very pretty trip. Just don't be afraid of mountain roads. One of the prettiest parts of Hwy 3 is through Stag Leap Pass which is at about 6000 feet. You join the Trans Canada (Highway 1) at Hope and then come through the Fraser Valley into Vancouver. There are many places and things to do in Vancouver. The Aquarium, the Art Galleries, Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park. Gondola ride to the top of Grouse Mountain or you can drive up to the Cypress Bowl or Mt. Seymour. Your drive to Whistler is a must. They have not finished widening the road for the Olympics so there is still the odd 20 minute construction wait. You do not want to drive from Whistler on the Pemberton and the Duffy Lake Road to Lillooet and then onto the Trans Canada to the Columbia Ice Fields. This is not highway standard road. It is mainly local road to the Indian Reservations. It is very pretty though. We have driven it. You are better off returning to Vancouver (1 1/2 - 2 hour drive. You can then travel on the Trans Canada through the Fraser Canyon (with a stop at Hell's Gate) on through the Rogers Pass and on the ice fields. Be sure to bring your camera and lots of chips or something to download onto. You will want to take a lot of pictures. The Rockies are gorgeous but the Purcells and the Selkirks are just as beautiful. Hope this helps. -- Martha T2 Vancouver Canada |
#7
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Canada and USA this August
On 1/27/08 9:31 AM, in article , "Gary Gapinski" wrote: Don't miss Yoho National Park (http://xml.garygapinski.com/Yoho.kmz). While I have yet to visit all the major parks in North America, I'd venture it is the most scenic mountain park. The drive up the valley from Highway 1 to Takakkaw Falls is spectacular, as are the falls. If you are (very) ambitious, plan a hike to Twin Falls returning on the west side of the valley (~20km circuit from Takakkaw Falls). See http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/index_E.asp for more information. The Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper is quite scenic. It's a long way to Glacier National Park, and even farther to Vancouver. I suspect you could profitably spend all 10 days between Calgary and Jasper. I missed the time line when I originally posted. Much as I like to invite everyone to BC, if you only have 10 days I wouldn't dream of leaving Alberta let alone driving to Glacier. Glacier doesn't have anything the Canadian Rockies don't have. The distance from Calgary to Vancouver coming all the way on the Trans Canada is over 600 kilometers. It takes a good 12 -13 hours if you know the road and you are used to driving on the "right" side of the road. Our roads are all mountainous. -- Martha T2 Canada 1500mg. Metformin, 4mg. Avandia |
#8
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Canada and USA this August
"MI" schrieb
You do not want to drive from Whistler on the Pemberton and the Duffy Lake Road to Lillooet and then onto the Trans Canada to the Columbia Ice Fields. This is not highway standard road. It is mainly local road to the Indian Reservations. It is very pretty though. We have driven it. You are better off returning to Vancouver I agree for the Birkenhead route, or the one via Gold Bridge. But Hwy 99 is no problem at all, and saves a lot of time if you only have 10 days (that means "eating miles" anyway) You can then travel on the Trans Canada through the Fraser Canyon (with a stop at Hell's Gate) on through the Rogers Pass and on the ice fields. ....and only halfway up the Icefields Parkway, then the David Thompson (Hwy 11) to Rocky Mountain House/Red Deer/Calgary. Not bad either. Whether you stay in Alberta, or do this circle tour... there are pros and cons for both, and up to Bob to decide. If he likes driving: Go for it. If he prefers to stay in one place for a few more days: Stay in Alberta. I don't mind spending a whole day behind the wheel because I find driving Canadian highways really relaxing: Beautiful scenery, no traffic to speak of...: Pure joy! Jochen from Germany |
#9
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Canada and USA this August
"Gary Gapinski" wrote in message ... Don't miss Yoho National Park (http://xml.garygapinski.com/Yoho.kmz). While I have yet to visit all the major parks in North America, I'd venture it is the most scenic mountain park. The drive up the valley from Highway 1 to Takakkaw Falls is spectacular, as are the falls. If you are (very) ambitious, plan a hike to Twin Falls returning on the west side of the valley (~20km circuit from Takakkaw Falls). See http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/index_E.asp for more information. The Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper is quite scenic. "quite scenic"??? One of the MOST scenic driving routes in the effing world!!!!! It's a long way to Glacier National Park, and even farther to Vancouver. I suspect you could profitably spend all 10 days between Calgary and Jasper. |
#10
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Canada and USA this August
"MI" wrote in message ... On 1/27/08 12:30 AM, in article , "BrianK" wrote: On 1/26/2008 3:45 PM did the "neutron dance", then made these writings: Hi Group, We are in the early stages of putting together an itinerary for our trip this August. Flights and car hire are booked. We arrive at Calgary Airport in August for 10 days. We want to see Glacier NP in Montana. Also the Icefields Parkway and maybe Vancouver. My plan was to drive down to Glacier then along the "into the Sun Highway" to Whitefish. From here we could drive to Vancouver using Highway 3 in Canada. Is there a better more scenic route to take to get there? What places of interest (if any) are there along the way? We would then drive up to Whistler and then carry on back to the Icefields. Alternatively from Montana we could drive back up to Alberta and spend the time exploring thus giving British Columbia a miss this time (a good excuse to visit again). What recommendations would anyone give for "must see in Alberta"? Looking foward to any ideas and suggestions Thanks and regards Bob I understand what you are trying to do, but there are a few gaps in your itinerary. Highway 3 doesn't go within 100 miles of Vancouver. You could re-enter Canada after your visit to Whitefish joining Hwy 3 and following it through the various mountain ranges. It is a very pretty trip. Just don't be afraid of mountain roads. One of the prettiest parts of Hwy 3 is through Stag Leap Pass which is at about 6000 feet. You join the Trans Canada (Highway 1) at Hope and then come through the Fraser Valley into Vancouver. There are many places and things to do in Vancouver. The Aquarium, the Art Galleries, Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park. Gondola ride to the top of Grouse Mountain or you can drive up to the Cypress Bowl or Mt. Seymour. Your drive to Whistler is a must. They have not finished widening the road for the Olympics so there is still the odd 20 minute construction wait. You do not want to drive from Whistler on the Pemberton and the Duffy Lake Road to Lillooet and then onto the Trans Canada to the Columbia Ice Fields. This is not highway standard road. It is mainly local road to the Indian Reservations. It is very pretty though. We have driven it. You are better off returning to Vancouver (1 1/2 - 2 hour drive. You can then travel on the Trans Canada through the Fraser Canyon (with a stop at Hell's Gate) on through the Rogers Pass and on the ice fields. Be sure to bring your camera and lots of chips or something to download onto. You will want to take a lot of pictures. The Rockies are gorgeous but the Purcells and the Selkirks are just as beautiful. Hope this helps. -- Martha T2 Vancouver Canada There is NOTHING wrong with the Duffy Lake Road. It is a PAVED two-lane HIGHWAY. Perhaps you are thinking of the route immediately north of it--the "Highliner". Now, THAT is .....interesting. Has a sign..or used to "Drive at your OWN Risk". |
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