The last leg of our journey, Golden and then onto Canmore.
Snow on the tops of all the mountains as we headed towards the town of Golden. Golden B.C. is surrounded by six of Canada’s most stunning national parks; Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Mount Revelstoke,
The town of Golden sits in the Rocky Mountain range. Usually a busy little place we were there at a quiet time, the summer vistors had gone and the town was preparing for the Ski season to start.
The main river through the town was Kicking Horse River and we spotted an Osprey here on our walk.
The Kicking Horse pedestrian covered bridge built in 2001, leading to walks on both sides of the river.
Reflection Lake, just outside the town.
Autumn colours and snow topped mountains everywhere you looked.
Just outside the town of Golden is the Northern Lights Wolf Sanctuary. A unique facility dedicated to awareness and conservation for the wolf. Northern Lights is home to nine resident wolves, which you are able to view, and photograph. The owners are really passionate about educating people on the Wolf and to dispel any negative myths there are about these lovely animals. This female had a lot to say for herself, and the howling was quite a chilling sound, especially when the others joined in. You could just imagine hearing that out in the wild.
After chatting for a while, the guy at the centre pointed us to a back country walk where small Sock Eye Salmon were spawning and a few Bald Eagles had been seen gathering. Despite being a bit out in the wilds, there were several dog walkers and fishermen about. The fishermen were heading down to the main river, which was way past these trees, to catch fish known locally as Bull Head Trout.
Autumn was turning the trees vivid yellow and orange, and a long way off, a Bald Eagle was sat in the middle.
Then, we found more Eagles. Not fishing as we had hoped, but calling to each other in the trees.
Quietly watching us, with a half grown fawn behind her was, what we think was a Black Tailed Deer, She, then just seemed to melt away. We were still on the hunt for Elk. Everyone kept saying that you will see them, they are everywhere, so maybe we were looking in the wrong places.
Walking in the wilds……..but not that wild as lots of people walk here.
Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park. As a photographer, when you set out for the day you have in your own mind what you would like to see and pictures you would like to get. So when we arrived at Emerald Lake, the mist was so thick, and it was very cold, this was not quite what we had in mind. But you cannot control the weather, you just have to go with it.
Some brave souls were hiring canoes and braving the mist.
On our walk we noticed the mist was starting to lift and the true colour of the lake was beginning to show. The emerald colour of Emerald Lake is due to glacial sediment called rock flour. These tiny particles are suspended in the water and reflect and scatter sunlight, giving the lake its emerald colour. So now we know.
Then, suddenly, around a corner and through the trees we saw this. It made us gasp and stop dead in our tracks, we were not expecting to see this when the day had started out. so foggy.
Down by the lake side the full view opened up.
Emerald Lake is truly an emerald colour. We think this is the most breathtakingly beautiful place we have ever seen. We stayed in this spot for quite a while, just drinking in the view. The pictures we took on this day were better than we ever had expected to take.
Kicking Horse River , Yoho national Park.
Located south of Emerald Lake, the Natural Bridge spans the rushing waters of Kicking Horse River.
Kicking Horse River rushing through the natural bridge.
In to Banff National Park and the road to Canmore
Policemans Creek Boardwalk. A great walk from our hotel into town.
The town of Canmore. A centre for Photogrpahic and Art Galleries. So tempting to spend a lot of money here. Although all the galleries were outstanding, we spent a lot of time browsing the gallery All in the Wild., with a very chatty assistant. The gallery was full of amazing photographs by photographer Jason Leo Bantle and we ended up buying his book, “Beautiful Banff and Beyond.” The purchase of the book goes towards the All in The Wild Land fund. Six percent of all sales go towards this fund, and this has allowed for 1760 acres of land to be purchased and set aside for conservation. You can just make out his gallery on the picture, its next to the board with the Grizzly Bear portrait.
Armed with information of where to find Elk around the town and beyond, from the hotel staff, the gallery assistant, and Parks Canada Rangers, we were told by the river, park playing fields, out by the airport, in the street, surely we would find them now. It was rutting season, easy to find they all said………!
The top of our to do list for this area was the Banff Gondola. Not too busy this time of year so plenty of room in the car park, and no restriction on how long you stayed at the top. It was so worth it.
From the Gondola on the way up to the top.
Looking down to Bow Valley and beyond. After heavy snow the week before the weather had turned mild and much of it had disappeared apart from the very highest peaks. Having said that, we found the wind very cold out on the exposed viewing areas.
At the top, a Grey Jay or Canada Jay taking advantage of any crumbs of food dropped between the cracks of the boardwalk.
Big Horn Sheep/Rocky Mountain Sheep, live under the structure that is the restaraunt, shop and gondala stop and viewing areas. At first we thought, really, and then thought “Why not”. There is shelter and water and food all year round. In fact we saw many birds here as well.
Clarks Nutcracker taking advantage of easy pickings.
The star of the show had to be this busy little Chipmunk doing his bit to recycle rubbish, pick up any stray crumbs, and keeping the area tidy. This paper bag was shredded, pushed into his cheeks, and taken away under some rocks, presumably to line his nest.
The Chipmunk giving himself a bit of a spruce up after a busy time cleaning up the area.
Another day and another Lake. Lake Louise, a major must see tourist spot, or so we were informed. On advice we were up before dawn to find a parking spot . As far as the weather was concerned this was our worst day. It started to rain before dawn and did not stop all morning. And it was so cold, we were surprised it did not turn to snow. Still, on the positive side it did keep the tourist numbers down. We were not likely to be able to return so just made the most of it. It was still beautiful, although we both agreed we liked Emerald Lake more.
Lake Louise, still lovely, even in the rain.
A Statue at lake Louise to commemorate the first Swiss Mountain Guides to the area. The mountain guides were brought from the Swiss Alps to work for Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) hotels between 1899 and 1954 and led hundreds of first ascents and taught safe climbing techniques to thousands of climbers.
We skipped going on the shuttlebus to Moraine Lake, and carried on to Lake Minnewanka. The famous red chairs are placed at all popular viewing spots by Parks Canada
Here we watched a Douglas Squirrel. These a very small and fast. Its now you see him now you don’t. This one paused in his very active schedule of nut and pine cone collecting and burying to take a snack.
American Robin. Nothing like our Robin. More the size and behaviour of our Blackbirds.
Insane autumn colours of the Larch trees, Banff National Park.
Dawn over the reservoir Canmore. Our last full day, still no sign of any Elk or even Moose. This turned out to be a long day in the Kananaskis Park,
Lower Kannanaskis Lake. Minutes before the water was mirror calm and it would have been a great reflection picture, where did that breeze come from, rippling the water and spoiling the image. The Park rangers told us Moose had been seen in this area. Really? Where?
We were lucky to find a flock of tiny Ruby Crowned Kinglets.
Upper Kannanaskis Lake. Here we met some local photographers from Calgary who were on the lookout for migrating birds. They also had not seen many and had tried all the main places along the migration corridor where they are usually seen this time of year, with no luck. Opinion was, the birds had either moved through early, or were very late. Every where the natural world is changing.
We were now at the top of the trail, and we stopped off at the visitor centre at the top. The ranger in the lower visitor centre said that Grizzlies had been seen digging around just outside the windows. It was so comfortable to rest here for a while, with large armchairs and sofas and big windows looking out onto a balcony and a clearing in the forest where the bears had been seen. They didnt show today though. On the way we had seen a large wolf/ dog like animal strolling along and melting away into the forest. The rangers thought that it may have been a Coyote. Wish we had been a bit quicker and managed to get a picture.
Another photographer who had also called in to see if he could get a picture of the bears, told us of two large herds of Elk at Banff golf club. Its always good to get information from like minded people.
Of course, we didn’t waste any time, off to Banff Golf Course we went. At last! Elk! Not just a few Elk but two large herds. Not quite the setting we had been expecting but really good views. The golf course had closed for the winter. The greens had been securely fenced off and the fairways scarified, and the course had been left for the Elk.
One of the big bull Elks, bugling away, but too shattered to stand up.
Our last morning. Bright, crisp and sunny and a very hard ground frost.
Everything packed up into two suitcases and camera gear into the rucksacks and time to say goodbye to Canada and make our way to Calgary for the flight home. Just like that, we had left the Rockies behind and were travelling through a vast expanse of plains, we would’t have been surprised to see Buffalo grazing.
We estimated we had travelled about 1800 miles, much of it on the Trans Canada Highway. We had filled the car with petrol 5 times, each time about $70.00 except fot the last time which was about $25.00 to return it full to the car rental at the airport.
We must also thank Premier Travel, who listened to us, and organised everything, flights, car hire, ferry, hotels and the whale and bear trips. They also made the change in schedule due to the Jasper wildfires stress free. They provided maps and information for each stage of the journey. It was straightforward and hassle free, which all went towards making this trip so memorable. A job well done.
We hope you have enjoyed following us on our road trip. Experiencing the wildlife and views along the way. An epic lifetime jouney for us. Canada you were welcoming and amazing. Thank you.