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Abstract

g src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*8-2SgNbNtdfLkcc5l_y17Q.jpeg"><figcaption>A view from the Mount Norquay Lookout, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="ae7e">A stroll in Banff</h2><p id="a529">The town of Banff is the tourist heart of the region. It is loaded with chalet-style hotels and inns, restaurants and souvenir shops.</p><p id="1921">Park your car in one spot, stroll around and feel the ambience. Take your pick from many paths, parks and viewpoints. We loved the Cascade of Time Garden and Bow Falls Viewpoint.</p><figure id="dd29"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*QRQWXCDtLApu-3SNephgow.jpeg"><figcaption>A pedestrian bridge in Banff, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="a392">Lake Louise — of course</h2><p id="d5b4">The iconic Lake Louise, the visiting card of the Canadian Rockies, is worth a few hours of your precious time.</p><p id="2ef8">Plan to arrive very early if you want to get a parking spot, or take transit.</p><p id="d040">We left our hotel in Canmore at 6 am and arrived shortly after 7 am while it was still dawn. The lot was almost full — with enthusiastic hikers milling around in blankets, beanie hats, and with their steaming mugs, waiting for the sunrise. It was quite a sight!</p><p id="b0b1">There was a crowd waiting with their cameras poised to catch the moment when the sun hits the snow-covered peak. This picture ruined the magic a little, but we kept walking and took in the beauty of the place from other angles.</p><figure id="21bc"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*mKl8znS-CMYBMDi4j6GwAg.jpeg"><figcaption>Lake Louise, soon after sunrise, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><p id="5cab">A fall morning is a perfect time for the Lake Agnes trail— the air is cool, the views dreamy, and the colours inspire you to keep going.</p><figure id="fd70"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*lcs1OyJ0I3ANBEYBOwqb-g.jpeg"><figcaption>Taking in a view on the Lake Agnes climb, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><p id="79f2">By the time we came down from the hike, the sun was higher up and the colours were perfect for more pictures.</p><figure id="c7c3"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*qYz37gZjqGa0jXaXMYbONw.jpeg"><figcaption>Lake Louise, another perspective, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><p id="be40">If you want to visit an even more iconic Lake Moraine which is 20 minutes from here further into the mountains, reserve a shuttle in advance.</p><p id="bc2e">The parking is very limited, and everyone wants to go there for the larch season. By 7 am (and probably much earlier than that) the road was already closed to cars. Just take a bus.</p><h2 id="2abd">Johnston Canyon</h2><p id="1c9b">A narro

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w canyon with spectacular scenery. Come early to enjoy it without overcrowding — but then, you can’t be early everywhere.</p><p id="7e95">This fall, only the first part of the trail was open. We came at the end of the day and were fine with it. The walks were narrow, and there was a huge lineup for an Instagram-worthy picture in front of the waterfall — people will be people, right?</p><p id="e81e">Take it all with a grain of salt, and enjoy the beauty of the canyon and the amazing forces of nature.</p><figure id="648f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*wIdlx46YL1YvNrP6HR4blA.jpeg"><figcaption>Johnston Canyon, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="8c5b">Bow Valley Parkway</h2><p id="cd5b">This picturesque road runs parallel to the highway and offers many pullover spots for getting out of the car, breathing the air, and enjoying the views.</p><p id="2c08">A section of it was closed for cars in May, June and September. Good thing our visit was planned for October 1st!</p><p id="a26a">Don’t rush, take the slower road and take in the mountains as they change after every twist of the road.</p><figure id="9632"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*1SZ129BU9XgGtaiOPSPX8A.jpeg"><figcaption>A viewpoint on the Bow Valley Parkway, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><p id="702f">If you pre-plan, you can have your picnic in a place that looks better than any high-end restaurant, when the weather is right.</p><figure id="1b16"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*MrOeZCq5jF92NpjM0U3-ag.jpeg"><figcaption>A picnic table on the Bow Valley Parkway, photo by <a href="https://medium.com/@kualinawrites">Kua Lina</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="bbaa">What else?</h2><p id="ebe6">There is, of course, much more to see. If you can afford the time, drive the Icefields Parkway to see its many viewpoints, waterfalls, canyons and sights along each side of the road, and visit Jasper.</p><p id="3e00">I wish we had time for that — perhaps next time. There should always be the next time for mountains.</p><h2 id="c274">Practicalities</h2><ul><li>There is a decent <a href="https://www.banff.ca/435/Roam-Public-Transit">Roam transit system of buses</a> that would take you to many sights.</li><li>Many trailhead parking lots fill up early. Research, plan, and rise early.</li><li>Dress in layers. It may be just above freezing in the morning, and T-shirt weather by noon.</li><li>Sunscreen is still a good idea.</li><li>Bring a picnic. This is a national park — there are no roadside food stands, no convenience stores, and only a few restaurants.</li><li>Don’t drive without chains if there is snow in the forecast. You should be OK in the first half of October, but if the snow comes here, it is no joke.</li><li>Check for closures before you go: trails and attractions may close for maintenance, special events, or close early for the season.</li></ul></article></body>

The Breathtaking Beauty of Banff in the Fall

A photo report — October in the Rockies

Rockies, a view from Canmore, photo by Kua Lina

If you love mountains, you must see them in all seasons — however, fall often takes the crown. This is the case for the Canadian Rockies that show off an awe-inspiring colour palette come October.

We were lucky to squeeze in a short weekend visit and couldn’t get enough of the scenery.

Here are a few highlights you can see if you only have 2–3 days.

Canmore

Surrounded by mountains on all sides, just before the boundary of Banff National Park, and 20 minutes drive to the town of Banff, this is a good place to find lodgings and dinner.

Banff is pricier, more constricted from a parking perspective, and you need to purchase a National Park Pass to be there.

Canmore has plenty of amazing parks and hikes close by, and the scenery is amazing from every front and back yard.

Trans-Canadian highway, near Canmore, photo by Kua Lina

There are many activities at your doorstep and a range of serious hiking options across the Kananaskis region.

Lake Minnewanka Loop

Stop and absorb the scenery on the shores of Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, and Cascade Ponds, all accessible from the same loop off the Trans-Canadian highway, just before the turn-off into Banff.

You can hike, canoe, camp, climb, and anything in between. Bring your picnic, but don’t leave your food unattended — we did see a mother bear and a cub strolling nearby.

Mount Norquay Lookout

Instead of paying a steep price for a gondola ride, drive up the road toward the Mount Norquay Ski Resort for free.

You will have to navigate a few hairpin turns, but the view from above is worth it.

A view from the Mount Norquay Lookout, photo by Kua Lina

A stroll in Banff

The town of Banff is the tourist heart of the region. It is loaded with chalet-style hotels and inns, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Park your car in one spot, stroll around and feel the ambience. Take your pick from many paths, parks and viewpoints. We loved the Cascade of Time Garden and Bow Falls Viewpoint.

A pedestrian bridge in Banff, photo by Kua Lina

Lake Louise — of course

The iconic Lake Louise, the visiting card of the Canadian Rockies, is worth a few hours of your precious time.

Plan to arrive very early if you want to get a parking spot, or take transit.

We left our hotel in Canmore at 6 am and arrived shortly after 7 am while it was still dawn. The lot was almost full — with enthusiastic hikers milling around in blankets, beanie hats, and with their steaming mugs, waiting for the sunrise. It was quite a sight!

There was a crowd waiting with their cameras poised to catch the moment when the sun hits the snow-covered peak. This picture ruined the magic a little, but we kept walking and took in the beauty of the place from other angles.

Lake Louise, soon after sunrise, photo by Kua Lina

A fall morning is a perfect time for the Lake Agnes trail— the air is cool, the views dreamy, and the colours inspire you to keep going.

Taking in a view on the Lake Agnes climb, photo by Kua Lina

By the time we came down from the hike, the sun was higher up and the colours were perfect for more pictures.

Lake Louise, another perspective, photo by Kua Lina

If you want to visit an even more iconic Lake Moraine which is 20 minutes from here further into the mountains, reserve a shuttle in advance.

The parking is very limited, and everyone wants to go there for the larch season. By 7 am (and probably much earlier than that) the road was already closed to cars. Just take a bus.

Johnston Canyon

A narrow canyon with spectacular scenery. Come early to enjoy it without overcrowding — but then, you can’t be early everywhere.

This fall, only the first part of the trail was open. We came at the end of the day and were fine with it. The walks were narrow, and there was a huge lineup for an Instagram-worthy picture in front of the waterfall — people will be people, right?

Take it all with a grain of salt, and enjoy the beauty of the canyon and the amazing forces of nature.

Bow Valley Parkway

This picturesque road runs parallel to the highway and offers many pullover spots for getting out of the car, breathing the air, and enjoying the views.

A section of it was closed for cars in May, June and September. Good thing our visit was planned for October 1st!

Don’t rush, take the slower road and take in the mountains as they change after every twist of the road.

A viewpoint on the Bow Valley Parkway, photo by Kua Lina

If you pre-plan, you can have your picnic in a place that looks better than any high-end restaurant, when the weather is right.

A picnic table on the Bow Valley Parkway, photo by Kua Lina

What else?

There is, of course, much more to see. If you can afford the time, drive the Icefields Parkway to see its many viewpoints, waterfalls, canyons and sights along each side of the road, and visit Jasper.

I wish we had time for that — perhaps next time. There should always be the next time for mountains.

Practicalities

There is a decent Roam transit system of buses that would take you to many sights.
Many trailhead parking lots fill up early. Research, plan, and rise early.
Dress in layers. It may be just above freezing in the morning, and T-shirt weather by noon.
Sunscreen is still a good idea.
Bring a picnic. This is a national park — there are no roadside food stands, no convenience stores, and only a few restaurants.
Don’t drive without chains if there is snow in the forecast. You should be OK in the first half of October, but if the snow comes here, it is no joke.
Check for closures before you go: trails and attractions may close for maintenance, special events, or close early for the season.