Fall trip to the Canadian Rockies in the first week of October. Visited Banff, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks. We were treated to fall colors - mostly yellow gold since many trees in the region are larches. We also enjoyed beautiful lakes, waterfalls, flowing rivers, and snow covered mountains. The colorful lakes and rivers are the result of running water carrying minerals from glaciers. When sunlight hits the minerals in the water, red, orange, and yellow wavelengths get absorbed. Blue and green wavelengths are reflected, resulting in the bright blue, turquoise, and teal colors.

Arrival

We flew into Calgary airport, YYC. The airport is 1.5 hours drive into Banff National Park. We arrived late night, so we spent the night at the Marriott Calgary airport - this hotel is connected to the terminal. Our room faced the airport tarmac with downtown Calgary and the Rockies in the background.

Day 1 - Lakes, Johnston Canyon

The next morning, we picked our rental car from Enterprise and set off for the park. After passing the entrance gate, we visited lakes and viewpoints.

Banff sign at the entrance to Banff Village.

Johnson Lake

Larches reflecting off Johnson Lake

Two Jack Lake

Lake Minnewanka

Banff village from the Mt Norquay viewpoint

Overview of Bow River

We then continued on to Johnston Canyon, which has several hiking trails leading to waterfalls. There are also a few colorful "ink pots" where flowing water looks like boiling water. We visited Lower Falls and Upper Falls - 3.1 miles/5 km roundtrip total. At the Lower Falls, there is a small cave where you get close to the waterfall. Lines can get long at the cave, so try to visit off peak (weekdays, outside summer months).

Lower Falls

Upper Falls

After hiking Johnston Canyon we continued to Lake Louise village and checked into the Mountaineer Lodge, where we would spend the next two nights.

Day 2 - Lakes Louise and Moraine, Yoho

In the morning, we drove 5 minutes to the Lake Louise ski resort, then boarded a shuttle bus to Lake Louise. Since Lake Louise is very popular, parking is a challenge - not unusual for the lot to fill during peak times. Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles so the shuttle is the only way to access the lake - unless you stay at the Moraine Lake Lodge. Make sure to reserve shuttle tickets in advance - as soon as you have booked your trip. Shuttle tickets are released during the spring and additional tickets are released at 8am (Lake Louise time) two days in advance. One ticket includes shuttles to both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

Lake Louise Ski Resort

After arriving Lake Louise, we hiked to the Fairview Lookout point - 1.4 miles/2.3 km roundtrip. Good views of the lake and the Fairmont Chateau. Rates at the Fairmont typically start at $1000 per night and that is for the standard room. Rates for rooms with a lake view can cost closer to $1500 per night. The location by Lake Louise is the big premium for this hotel.

We then boarded a connector shuttle to go from Lake Louise to Moraine Lake. We hiked along the shore of Moraine Lake - lots of good views of the mountains.

There is the Rockpile Trail, which is a staircase built into the large rock next to the lake. At the top of the trail is a lookout point for panoramic views of Moraine Lake and the valley.

Some sights in Yoho National Park, in the western side of the Canadian Rockies.

Meeting of waters confluent, where the Kicking Horse (waterfall above) and Yoho (bottom) Rivers intersect and combine.

Emerald Lake

Natural Bridge

Top of Natural Bridge

Day 3 - Columbia Icefield Tour, Jasper

We did the Columbia Icefield Adventure, where we rode an Ice Explorer vehicle to the Athabasca Glacier. These vehicles were specifically designed for traveling on snow and ice - Antarctica explorers use similar vehicles to get around. The tour also incudes a visit to the skywalk.

Ice explorer vehicle.

Snow Dome, located on the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks. It is on a triple Continental Divide - rivers from this mountain flow to the Hudson Bay, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean.

Athabasca Glacier, where we would visit

Skywalk observatory over Sunwapta Valley

After the Icefield tour, we continued driving north on the Icefield Parkway. Many beautiful views of the mountains.

Top of Athabasca Falls.

Athabasca Falls

We arrived in Jasper village where we would spend the night at Mount Robson Lodge.

Sunset in Jasper

Day 4 - Maligne Canyon, Ice Fields Parkway, Banff

We visited Maligne Canyon and hiked to First, Second, Third, and Fourth Bridges - each with spectacular views of the gorge and waterfalls. It is the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, with some spots over 164 ft/50 meters deep.