Driving through part of Canada - advice and coment requested please

[William W]

Next year, around June/July, I plan to travel by car from Vancouver to Edmonton.

The draft route, indicated by day or longer stays: Vancouver – Whistler – (through Kamloops) – Jasper – Lake Louise – (visit Banff from Lake Louise) - Calgary – (via Red Deer) – Edmonton.

In total the trip is planned to comprise about 10~14 days; this is flexible to an extent. The origin (Vancouver), cannot be changed, but the destination (Edmonton) is not set in stone, yet.

My main areas of interest in no particular order are, to document: People portrayed in daily life; interesting Architecture (Interior and Exterior); and interesting Landscape Scenes.

I travel with a relatively lightweight kit, comprising typically a 5D Series Camera; 24 to 105/4L IS; 35/1.4L; Fuji X100s and an R72 Filter for the Fuji.

Recently I have purchased an EOS M5 (with EF/EF-S to EM adapter), and will probably take that camera body also. Usually I travel with NO flash; NO Tripod; NO Monopod.

I am mainly looking for advice and/or comment regarding my intended route, yet any comments and advice will be appreciated.

At the moment, the route is quite flexible and (obviously) any local knowledge or experience apropos ‘where to go and what to see’ would benefit greatly during this planning stage.

Thank you.

WW

[Urbanflyer]

Waterton Lakes

[Manfred M]

I definitely love the parts of Canada that you will be visiting. I have no time in the interior of British Columbia in the past 40 years, so can't give you any specific advice in those areas. I know a number of people that really like the Kelowna area (fruit and wine growing) so that might be an option rather than Kamloops.

Vancouver is definitely a very nice city; beautiful setting and great climate. The Lower East Side is best avoided; but Gastown, while being a bit touristy is worth a visit. Stanley Park has some totem poles that are quite photogenic; there was a time that I would pop in to see them every time I visited Vancouver. Architecturally, much of Western Canada is not all that old, although there are a few gems here and there. The skyline is generally quite modern. Cities in the east were established first and the west was opened up last. Vancouver was established in the late 1880s and is closely linked to the establishment of the transcontinental railway (Canadian Pacific Railway). The Hotel Vancouver is one of the grand old railway hotels; some interesting period interior shots if you care to wander through some parts of it.

Whistler is little more than a ski resort that has been developed by a major international ski corporation. Very pretty, in a fake Swiss mountain village kind of way. If you have the time, no problem, but if you are looking at a place to by-pass, that would be my suggestion. Banff has (unfortunately) gone much the same way. There are more interesting places elsewhere.

The four mountain national parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay) are all very beautiful. My wife and a girlfriend of hers spent some time in Well's Gray Provincial Park and really liked it too when they were out there a few years ago. Lake Louise is quite small and visiting Banff is about a 40-45 minute drive away; pretty photographic setting in the right light. In the area, Morraine Lake (near Lake Louise), Peyto Lake (on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper) and the Columbia Icefield (part of the Athabaska Glacier) are all worth visiting. The Banff Hot Springs are a bit disappointing - large (and very popular) swimming pool with hot water. If you want a bit less crowded hot springs, the Miette Hot Springs, east of Jasper would be worth considering if you head towards Edmonton.

The Crowsnest Pass was an important mountain pass and the Town of Frank was a site of a large and devastating landslide. Smashed in Head Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this is where the indigenous people drove buffalo to their death for thousands of years. Nearby Fort McLeod is a small western town that started out as a North-West Mounted Police outpost. I seem to remember it preserved the character of a small Western Canadian town quite nicely.

The Calgary Stampede (very much a celebration of the Western Canadian heritage) with a rodeo / festival takes place around the second week of July, so if you are in the area, this should figure into your plans whether you plan to attend or avoid the event. Accommodation will be quite booked up. I used to be in Calgary for work fairly often, but did not spend much time in the city itself. Fairly large modern city. A lot of oil company head offices are located there. It's really a "white collar town" whereas Edmonton is more of a "blue collar town". On a clear day, one can see the Rocky Mountains looking west and the prairies when you look east; fairly flat landscape. Lots of wheat fields out of town (and not a lot of trees).

Two places worth exploring that are both worth exploring are Dinosaur Provincial Park (large fossil beds that can be visited via pre-booked guided tours only) and Drumheller; both the Royal Tyrell Museum (dinosaurs) and the badlands (very picturesque especially early in the morning and near sunset. Both are about a 90 minute drive from Calgary, but one lies north-east of the city and the other north-west. If you have to limit things to a single of those two sites, I would suggest Drumheller, although Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I can't comment on Red Deer; I've driven by it a few times, but have never stopped there. There is a very nice museum that covers off Alberta's history; the Alberta- Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin (about half way between Edmonton and Red Deer). My brother-in-law lived in Edmonton for about 10 years, so while I got there fairly often, we usually ended up visiting him. Old Strathcona is the historic old part of the city and is home to boutiques and restaurants. The West Edmonton Mall is one of the world's largest and is complete with a amusement park, ice rink, large wave pool, etc and is a major tourist attraction. Oil exploration, service and refining are certainly part of what Edmonton is about.

I hope that this gives you a bit to think about.

[William W]

Thanks Manfred. Yes lots there to think about. That's exactly what I required. Very helpful. I will get to researching all the places mentioned.

Thanks again.

Bill

[Urbanflyer]

If you will be open to northern B.C there are a couple of good spots I would point you to.

[NorthernFocus]

...
I am mainly looking for advice and/or comment regarding my intended route, yet any comments and advice will be appreciated. ..

All I can offer is a reminder to drive on the opposite side of the road from what you're used to

[William W]

. . . thanks,

I am driving in Alaska also --- I'll be the fellow on the wrong side of the road --- watch out!

[William W]

If you will be open to northern B.C there are a couple of good spots I would point you to.

Yes please any ideas are welcome as nothing is set in stone yet.

Thanks

Bill

[William W]

Waterton Lakes

Ta... researching now.

Bill

[Donald]

I would want an analysis after the trip.

What your planning is the sort of thing I thought about a couple of years ago, but circumstances forced me to put it on hold. But I'd still love to do it.

[davidedric]

As a follow on to Manfred's essay, I would definitely try and take in the Stampede - lots of things and people to photograph. Excellent bus service from town to the Stampede, so no need for a car.

When we were there, we did Vacouver to Banff by train, nice but the photo opportunities were limited. Then picked up a car to drive to and from Jasper and on to Calgary. Very easy driving, even on the wrong side of the road.

Just remembered, that's where my avatar photo was taken. Big hats are de rigueur

Dave

[William W]

I would want an analysis after the trip.

Absolutely, friend.

Bill

[William W]

. . . I would definitely try and take in the Stampede - lots of things and people to photograph. Excellent bus service from town to the Stampede, so no need for a car.

Ta Dave. Noted and added to the list.

Bill

[dje]

Gdday Bill

As a fellow Strayan I'm not qualified to give local advice on Canada but we did visit there in 2012 and I can share my experience. Somewhat like Dave above, we took the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver but we went to Jasper. From there we hired a car and drove through to Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary. I get very nervous driving in North America but it wasn't too bad in western Canada (except in Calgary which is quite a big city).

Vancouver is a nice place with some nice architecture but we also went to Victoria on Vanc Is. It has some nice architecture and it has the magnificent Butchart gardens nearby.

The drive form Jasper to the east over the Icefields Parkway is a wonderful drive, with so many opportunities for the keen landscape photographer. Peyto Lake and Bow Lake as well as the Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls are well worth a visit. Lake Louise is a beautiful spot and it is also close to Moraine Lake which has the classic ten peaks view. It is worth staying in LL for a night or two but accommodation is a bit limited, apart from the expensive Fairmont Hotel right on the Lake. Personally i would not make that my base for Banff but rather stay a couple of nights in Banff where there is plenty of accommodation (it's a sky town in winter). There are lots of places of interest around Banff including the Vermillion Lakes with their wonderful views of Mt Rundle. Also places just to the north such as Cascade Mt and Pond and Two Jack Lake are worth a visit and within easy reach of Banff.

Driving from Banff to Calgary i would recommend going via Canmore which is a very pictureque area with some dramatic mountains.

Western Canada is a fantastic place to visit and is landscape photography heaven! You will enjoy it.

Dave

PS Calgary has some interesting modern architecture. Also there are some nice lakes to the north of Jasper if you can fit them in.

[William W]

Gdday Bill . . . etc

Printed your response (and others too). I am investigating all the places you have mentioned. Seems like the Icefields Parkway is a real goer ... and I am now re-organizing.

Thank you, very much.

Bill

[rpcrowe]

As a follow on to Manfred's essay, I would definitely try and take in the Stampede - lots of things and people to photograph. Excellent bus service from town to the Stampede, so no need for a car.

When we were there, we did Vacouver to Banff by train, nice but the photo opportunities were limited. Then picked up a car to drive to and from Jasper and on to Calgary. Very easy driving, even on the wrong side of the road.

Just remembered, that's where my avatar photo was taken. Big hats are de rigueur

Dave

Dave,

I always wondered about the "ten gallon" hat in your avatar. I didn't think that was the standard dress people wear we going to the supermarket in Cheshire

[Manfred M]

Bill - I would agree with Dave's comments. the accommodation at Lake Louise is quite limited; the very high end Chateau Lake Louise and a hostel. Most of the accommodation is found in Banff. Canmore is just outside of the park so the drive is a touch longer. Back when I spent a fair bit of time in Calgary the locals (from Calgary) avoided staying in overpriced Banff and headed to Kananaskis Village (also a winter ski area) instead.

In terms of driving, Vancouver (Canada's third largest city), Calgary (4th largest) and Edmonton (6th largest) are all a pain to drive in during high volume times (morning and afternoon rush hour), but in spite of decent public transit, one needs a car to reach some of the places tourists tend to want to visit.

If your trip is not settled and you are looking at a more compact trip a loop from Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Victoria, Tofino, etc) is also quite beautiful. The ferry between the islands is an amazing ride; we crossed back to the mainland (Comox to Powell River) and drove down the Sunshine coast back to Vancouver over 2 weeks.

My favourite (and most expensive) trip to BC was to the North (took the ferry from Port Hardy on Northern Vancouver Island through the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert (takes about 18 hours of stunning scenery), went to Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands; this is where the totem pole heritage comes from), saw the Grizzly Bears at the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary (need to fly in on a float plane or take a boat as there are no roads there), etc. This area is on the border with Alaska. Again, a 2-week trip.

I have not done the Rocky Mountaineer, which is an expensive tourist train. The less expensive Via Rail "Canadian" train that goes through the Rockies (Vancouver - Jasper) does so at night (in both directions), so is not an alternative way to see the mountains.

[davidedric]

Probably getting a bit exotic and, as Manfred says expensive, but one of our highlights was also up the coast for a few night's stay at the floating lodge in Knight Inlet. Getting there needs a regular plane from Vancouver to Campbell River on Vancouver island, then a float plane to the lodge.

Needs best part of a week and lots of dollars, but a unique experience.

I'd better stop now!

Dave

[NorthernFocus]

. . . thanks,

I am driving in Alaska also --- I'll be the fellow on the wrong side of the road --- watch out!

Which part of Alaska are you headed to? Driving up the AlCan highway?

When we visit down your way I find it takes me about a week of driving on the left hand side to get to the point that I can take my eye off the road long enough to look around a bit. But even after a month I never do adjust to the wiper/turn signal controls being backward. I'm that guy on dry sunny days that's taking a roundabout with the wipers going

[Manfred M]

Which part of Alaska are you headed to? Driving up the AlCan highway?

When we visit down your way I find it takes me about a week of driving on the left hand side to get to the point that I can take my eye off the road long enough to look around a bit. But even after a month I never do adjust to the wiper/turn signal controls being backward. I'm that guy on dry sunny days that's taking a roundabout with the wipers going

I think I had the cleanest windshield in the UK on one trip. I think I ended up running the wipers instead of the turn signal at every third or fourth corner.