 Family Lodge Trip
New!
ITINERARY:
Pre-trip - Saturday
Orientation will provide an opportunity to meet fellow vacationers, the guides and naturalists, and to discuss the week, the trails you will hike and the schedule of the other available activities. We overnight in the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis. A casual dinner is included in the package price.
Day 1 - Sunday
 We leave the lodge early as this is a full day of exploring and hiking in Kananaskis Country and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Our hike for this day is the Pickle Jar Lakes -- there are four altogether . Each lake sits in its own little bowl, a little higher than lake before, called paternoster lakes. Three of the lakes are shallow and so seemingly friendly. You may even see trout swimming through crystal clear waters. The third lake is very deep and, with the clear water, it seems you are standing on the edge of a precipice when you look down into it.
On returning to the lodge there will be enough time to enjoy the pool or spa, but probably, for most, the excellent excercise facilities will not be needed. Dinner will be at the lodge.
Distance 11 Kilometres (6.5 miles)
Elevation Gain 450 metres (1475 feet)
Day 2 - Monday
 A ridge walk is when the trail follows the skyline of a ridge. They provide us with some of the most scenic and exciting hikes imaginable, but they inevitably demand a certain price -- effort! This is what we will experience today. Starting at the Highwood Pass parking lot we will climb to Little Highwood Pass and, from here, traverse the Pocaterra Ridge to the Little Highwood Picnic Area. Families who have very young children will do a different hike from the same parking lot to Ptarmigan Cirque -- a shorter and less demanding, but no less interesting adventure. This group will also have the opportunity to visit Elbow Lake, a truly worthwhile destination, and only a short walk from the highway.
On the way back to the Lodge, we will make a short side trip to the interpretive center in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. There we will find excellent displays explaining the flora, fauna, and geology of the region, and provide a brief glimpse of the history of the valley.
The pool at the lodge will once again welcome us back and remind us of the comforts and luxury of a warm, dry, comfortable bed. Tonight's dinner will be have a western flare at the Boundary Ranch.
Pocaterra Ridge:
Distance 9 Kilometres (5.5 miles)
Elevation Gain 800 metres (2600 feet)
Ptarmigan Cirque and Elbow Lake:
Distance 3.1 Kilometres (2 miles)
Elevation Gain 380 metres (1240 feet)
Day 3 - Tuesday
Today we move to our hotel in Banff. But, before we leave the Kananaskis Valley, we have some further explorations to do.
 In the morning we will once again head out to Boundary Ranch to go horseback riding up the Evans Thomas Creek, and in the afternoon, when the day has warmed, we will go rafting on the Kananaskis River. This is a fairly gentle trip that we are sure will be enjoyed by all. After the river raft, we head off to Banff and pay a visit to the hot springs to ease those muscles most affected by the morning's ride.
Lodging this evening will be at the Hidden Ridge Resort in Banff.
Day 4 - Wednesday
We have two hikes planned for today and would like to get an early start to the day. Today we will visit Lake Louise and you will be offered , once again, a short and a long hike.
 The longer hike will go along the lake shore to the Plain of Six Glaciers and return via the Big Beehive and Lake Agnes. This a challenging day. The shorter hike will be to Lake Agnes and, depending on desire, could proceed on to the Big Beehive as well. The elevation gain here is challenging but the distances are much shorter than on the first hike. On either hike you will be able to enjoy tea and baked goods at one of the historic tea houses. I will forwarn parents....coffee is not an option.
The Bow Valley Grill in the Banff Springs Hotel will be our dining spot this evening. This venue offers great views and great food in what is undoubtedly one of the best smorgasboards anywhere.
Plain of Six Glaciers:
Distance 19 Kilometres (11.4 miles)
Elevation Gain 498 metres (1630 feet)
Lake Agnes:
Distance 8.4 Kilometres (5 miles)
Elevation Gain 346 metres (1135 feet)
Day 5 - Thursday
Activities today include mountain biking and bouldering or sport climbing. Morning will find us at the Nordic Center in Canmore for mountain biking. The activity will be prefaced with some basic instruction and then you will be off with your guide to explore the single track trails found at the Nordic Center and to practice your new techniques. There is a great variety of terrain so this is an activity that can be enjoyed by all.
After a delicious lunch at one of Canmore's ecclectic restaruants we will be off for an introduction to sport climbing or bouldering. Under the very watchful eye of fully trained mountain guides, you will experience with your children the challenges of vertical environments and will become familiar with the complexities of modern climbing gear. This is an adventure all can enjoy. It is sure to be one of the many highlights this tour has to offer.
One last evening at the Hidden Ridge Resort and to explore Banff townsite to pick up mementos and gifts for those back home will round out the day.
Day 6 - Friday
Our final breakfast will be a celebration of the weeks' activities where awards will be handed out to all. We, of course, offer full assistance to see you on your way home. We are sure you will long remember the adventures of the past week with enthusiasm.
Please Note:
Changes in this itinerary may be necessary due to snow or weather conditions, trail safety or closures.
2005 TRIP DATES & PRICES
Dates: |
2005 Dates available
October 15
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Price Basic
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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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