Tag: bow-river

  • Our last day in Banff

    Our last Day in Banff

    Far too quickly, our week in Banff was drawing to a close. It’s never enough time in a place like Banff, there’s so much to do. The weather had turned cooler, but remained dry, so we decided to spend the morning on a leisurely hike along the Bow River, parts of which we had paddled nearby the day before.

    Before setting off, we picked up a can of bear spray that our hotel kindly lent us, complete with clear instructions on what to do should we actually meet a bear. I must admit, carrying it in the side pocket of my rucksack certainly sharpened my awareness of what might be lurking in the woods, and I certainly hoped we wouldn’t be putting the spray to use. Being from the UK, the most dangerous animals I normally have to consider on a walk are cows, bulls, or the occasional adder.

    We followed a marked trail leading from the side of the Bow River. It’s amazing how quiet it was as we ventured deeper into the woodland, and also very beautiful, albeit with an edge of tension thanks to our heightened wildlife awareness. We chatted deliberately as we walked, making just enough noise to alert any animals to our presence. Some hikers fix bells to their packs to warn bears away, or so the theory goes.

    At one point, we paused on a small wooden footbridge and spotted some fresh pawprints. Out came Google Lens, which suggested they were too small for a bear. Possibly a wolf, judging by the shape and size. With our antennae fully raised, we carried on, wondering if the creature responsible was watching us from the shadows. The forest was beautiful, and we stopped often just to breathe in the crisp Rocky Mountain air, sometimes sitting quietly with our eyes closed, listening to the beautiful sounds of nature around us.

    Eventually, the trail brought us back to our starting point. Feeling hungry, we headed to Evelyn’s Coffee Bar for lunch, still debating what animal those tracks belonged to. We settled on probably a wolf……unless it was a small bear, though we’ll never know for sure.

    After a good rest and excellent food, we decided to walk once more to the Bow Falls, a favourite spot we had first visited earlier in the week. It’s such a lovely area, even if the paths can get busy. As we descended to the lower level, we watched several white-water rafts begin their run. We didn’t get the chance to try it this time, but it looked exhilarating, and very wet! Maybe on our next visit we might try it.

    It’s funny how, on the final day of a trip, I always try to squeeze in as much as possible, but eventually the daylight began to fade. That evening we enjoyed a fabulous dinner at The Maple Leaf, followed by one last browse around the shops before returning to the hotel to pack and get a good night’s sleep. The next day would take us by bus to Calgary and then by plane back to Vancouver.

    Tips

    • If you are going of on a trek, defiantly take bear spray.
    • Chatting, and making some noise I’m told does help wildlife aware you are around and avoids startling them.
    • Just sit with your eyes closed and listen to your surroundings.
    • Evelyns Coffee Bar is great for coffee and lunch.
    • Take a walk to the Bow River falls and maybe even try white water rafting.

  • Banff: Welcome to the Rockies

    Banff: Welcome to the Rockies

    Due to the devastating fires in Jasper, our original itinerary was altered, and we were allocated additional nights in Banff. Our first hotel was the newly constructed Hotel Canoe and Suites on Banff Avenue. The recently completed rooms were fabulous. Ours featured a spacious bedroom/sitting area with a gas fireplace, a good-sized balcony facing the rear, a well-equipped kitchenette, and a large bathroom with a walk-in shower.

    We dined at Sudden Sally, the excellent onsite restaurant, and enjoyed both breakfasts and dinners there. The hotel staff were fantastic, continuing the warm Canadian hospitality we’d come to appreciate.

    After two long days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, we decided to take it easy, explore Banff town, and breathe in the fresh Rocky Mountain air. After breakfast, we caught the brilliant Roam Transit local bus service. A free pass was kindly provided by the hotel for the duration of our stay. These small buses are frequent, punctual, and very convenient. A stop was located directly outside the hotel, and the journey into the town centre took around five minutes, with multiple stops en-route.

    I use the Transit app on my iPhone (which has worked well for me in other countries), and I think it’s brilliant to check bus times and how long until the next bus arrives. At the time of our visit, a local bus day pass was just $5. You can find more info on Roam Transit online. We hopped off in the town centre and browsed around the varied shops for a while, bumping into several of our travel companions from the Rocky Mountaineer. From there, we wandered over to the Banff National Park Administration Building, located at the end of Banff Avenue across the Bow River.

    It was a beautiful morning, and I was still pinching myself that we were actually in Banff. It’s a stunning town with jaw-dropping mountain scenery and sits at an elevation of 4,537 feet (1,383m). As it was getting late in the morning, we took a break at Evelyn’s, a fantastic coffee bar on Banff Avenue that we’d found recommended on social media, and it didn’t disappoint. We ended up staying for lunch as well. Social media travel groups were really helpful in our planning stages, and much of the advice we followed led us to great food spots and practical travel tips.

    After our pit stop, we took a walk along the Bow River, heading first to Bow Falls. It was the third week of September, and relatively busy, but Banff never felt overrun during our stay. The weather was ideal: sunny, crisp, and autumnal, perfect for a walk along the river. The falls themselves aren’t especially tall or dramatic, but they’re still a beautiful and peaceful spot, and a lovely place to sit and listen to the water as it rushed past.

    One thing to always keep in mind in this part of Canada is the wildlife. Bears and other animals are known to wander into town, so it’s important to stay alert. With the number of people walking to Bow Falls that day, the human presence likely deterred wildlife, but that shouldn’t be relied upon. A few days later, we walked a much quieter stretch of the Bow River, and it became clear we weren’t alone. Our hotel had loaned us a can of bear spray, and when we came across large, fresh paw prints in the mud near the river, it certainly sharpened our awareness. Thankfully, we returned the bear spray unused that evening, but it was a valuable reminder to stay cautious and be respectful of the natural environment.

    We rounded off our first full day in Banff with a visit to COWS, a fantastic ice cream store on Banff Avenue, offering delicious flavours. We couldn’t resist going back several times during our stay. That evening, we had dinner back at Sudden Sally’s and enjoyed the relaxed, welcoming vibe around the hotel after a day full of walking, exploring, and mountain air.

    Tips:

    • Pack clothing for all weathers. Layers always work best and comfortable footwear with good gripping soles is a must for hiking.
    • The Roam Transit pass is excellent and for $5 per day. Its worth looking into other routes further a field, such as Lake Louise.
    • Walk the Bow River to the Bow River falls. Its wonderful.
    • Ask your hotel for some bear spray- Be prepared and listen to the advice from the experts on what to do if you come across a bear or other wildlife.
    • Evelyns for coffee is highly recommended.