 Banff & Jasper National Park Tour
A Mountain Lodge
Tour with Distinction
You will taste the life of Canada's early explorers as you ride a large voyageur canoe down the exciting Athabasca River. And you will meander around the picturesque town sites of Banff and Jasper and understand why tourists from all over the world have been visiting since 1885. Experience a walk on glacial ice that, centuries after the last ice age, continues to retreat at a rate of one to three metres per year.
You may take pride in the knowledge that, unlike most of those visitors who never venture beyond the highway and the townsites, you will be exploring the Canadian Rockies "behind the scenes" where wildlife and the alpine environment's natural rhythms continue much as they have for thousands of years.
Your accommodations include fireplaces and down duvets in the comfortable log buildings of Buffalo Mountain Lodge and Charlton's Chateau Jasper. Dining will be enjoyed at some the finest restaurants in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise, including: the Buffalo Mountain Dining Room, Bow Valley Grill in the Banff Springs Hotel, the Poppy Room in the Chateau Lake Louise, and a lunch at Jasper Park Lodge.
ITINERARY:
Pre-trip - Saturday
 Orientation to meet group, discuss trails and available options, issue daypacks, rain gear, etc. Our accommodations are at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff.
Day 1 - Sunday
Today we travel to the Sunshine Meadows. These are alpine meadows
above and beyond the tree line, ranging from 2195 metres (7200 feet). The
meadows are host to an abundance of wild flowers and you will see many
spectacular views to the north and south. If the group wishes, we can leave
these meadows and continue to another high pass. This route will take us
through over 5 kilometres of almost continuous alpine ecosystem before
descending to the parking lot. Today's hike will be an unforgettable
introduction to the Canadian Rockies.
This evening will find us dining at the Bow Valley Grill in the
world famous Banff Springs Hotel. This venue has great views down the Bow
Valley. An experience not to be missed!
Our accommodations are at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge.
Distance 5 to 10 Kilometres (3 to 6 miles)
Elevation 2225 metres (7430 feet)
Day 2 - Monday
 After an early breakfast in the Poppy Room at the Chateau Lake
Louise we will begin our ascent to the Little Beehive, Lake Agnes, and the Big
Beehive. After climbing through a sub-alpine forest of Engleman spruce and
subalpine fir, we are soon treated to an idyllic rest spot at Mirror Lake.
Shortly thereafter, we'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Bow Valley
and Lake Louise itself. We proceed on to the Lake Agnes teahouse for a cup of
tea or hot chocolate, and a mouth watering scone or apple crumble freshly baked
in the teahouse that morning. A delicious treat! We will then ascend to our
last vantage point for the day, the Big Beehive. From this eagle's eyrie, the
spectacular views of Mounts Victoria, Lefroy and Aberdeen and their hanging
glaciers will, quite literally stun your senses. This world famous setting of
rugged peaks and glaciers overhanging the turquoise Lake Louise brought a
flurry of European and American tourists to the Rockies on the newly completed
Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th century. We'll be joining a long and
colourful history.
Dining tonight will be at the Coyote Café and Deli in downtown Banff. Our accommodations are at the Buffalo
Mountain Lodge.
Distance 12 Kilometres (8 miles)
Elevation 2270 metres (7450 feet)
Day 3 - Tuesday
Today we travel from Banff to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway and
we'll see why it is considered one of the most beautifully scenic highways in
the world. On arriving at the Columbia Icefields we will meet our mountain
guide for the Athabasca Glacier ice walk. He will see that we are properly
equipped for this adventurous journey over a sea of ice. We'll learn how the
icefields were formed during the last ice age, how they continue to move even
under our feet, and what the future has in store.
The evening will find us in the Charlton's Chateau Jasper. We'll enjoy dinner at the excellent dining room associated with this lodge.
Distance 6 Kilometres (4 miles)
Elevation 2100 metres (6900 feet)
Day 4 - Wednesday
 The Opal Hills will be our
destination for today's hike. The trailhead is at Maligne Lake, 50 kilometres
from Jasper townsite. This beautiful lake is a destination in itself, and is as
far as most tourists venture. We, however, will hike to the Opal Hills, some
460 metres above us. The rolling meadows are an oasis of alpine vegetation, set
against the grey limestone of the sharply tilted Queen Elizabeth Mountains.
From this elevation, we can get a wondrous view of the entirety of Maligne
Lake, with Mount Brazeau and the Brazeau Glacier as the backdrop. While the
climb is steep, the trail loops around, so that the descent is gentle and more
forgiving to stressed knees.
On our return trip to Jasper, we will take time to explore
Maligne Canyon. On this short side trip we'll see the fascinating effects of
water erosion which has continued to carve out the canyon since the glaciers of
the last ice age began to melt.
Our accommodations are at Charlton's Chateau Jasper.
Distance 12 Kilometres (8 miles)
Elevation 2160 metres (7100 feet)
Day 5 - Thursday
An early start will see us on our way to Cavell Meadows, nestled
below the striking Angel Glacier clinging precipitously to Mount Edith Cavell.
These meadows offer amazing views of the Athabasca Valley both south and east
of Jasper. This is one of the most magnificent meadows for wild flowers, which
proliferate in the moist soils and abundant sunlight. Alas, we must turn our
backs on the tranquil meadows too soon, but a delicious lunch awaits us at the
Jasper Park Lodge.
In the afternoon, we experience a unique adventure as we ride a
voyageur canoe down the Athabasca River. The voyageur' were primarily French
Canadian and Metis entrepreneurs in search of fur who travelled into the wilds
of the west by following the rivers in large twenty person canoes. We will be
participating in a distinctive and uniquely Canadian slice of history!
Our voyageur guides will see that the large craft is guided
safely down the river and that we are all properly equipped.
Our accommodations are at Charlton's Chateau Jasper.
Distance 8 Kilometres (5 miles)
Elevation 2043 metres (6700 feet)
Day 6 - Friday
 Well, if your senses haven't already become satiated with mountain adventures by now, our final day will certainly see to that! En route back to Canmore, we will stop to admire the Columbia Icefields again and make a short hike to the summit of Parkers Ridge. Once on top we will see the source for the Saskatchewan River, the longest glacier in the Canadian Rockies. As we move on towards our destination, we will enjoy several other short stops and walks to make certain nothing is missed.
The Sage Restaurant in Canmore will welcome us for our final dinner together and your accommodations will be in one of the fine bed and breakfasts this mountain town has to offer.
Please Note:
Changes in this itinerary may be necessary due to snow or weather conditions, trail safety or closures.
2005 TRIP DATES & PRICES
DATES:
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2005 Dates available
October 15
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Price Basic
Single Supplement *
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2005 Prices available
October 15
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Owners/Operators: Bud Ettinger and Genia Luchka
Address:
2010 3rd Avenue
Canmore, Alberta CANADA
T1W 2J8
Tel: (403) 678-6606
Fax: (403) 678-0910
info@backofbeyond.ca
Toll-Free Inquiries:
1-800-732-7251
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