Author Topic: Aarony summer 2017 Vancouver-Canadian Rockies  (Read 2115 times)

Offline aarony

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Aarony summer 2017 Vancouver-Canadian Rockies
« on: May 22, 2017, 03:19:14 PM »
In case anyone else is considering a similiar trip, there are some pretty reasonable fares available now for NYC to Vancouver.  Here is our current itinerary which we are pretty comfortable with.  It would be great if we could put together a minyan for shabbos Aug 11-12 in Canmore. We are probably staying at Solara Lodge.  We were close to a minyan but a few people just cancelled so we are back to the drawing board.

Vancouver:
Wednesday, August 02, 2017   fly to Vancouver
Thursday, August 03, 2017    Lynn Canyon Park (free), bike stanley park seawall
Friday, August 04, 2017            boating false creek , granville island, maybe Grouse Moutain
Saturday, August 05, 2017   Shabbos in vancouver  (motzei shabbos Honda celebration of lights fireworks - English Bay)

Whistler:
Sunday, August 06, 2017   Sea to Sky Highway, Gondola , Hike,  Whistler ziplines or  Summer bobseleigh
Monday, August 07, 2017   Whistler, Peak to Peak Gondola, Canoe river of Golden Dreams , drive to Kamloops  or further

Jasper area:
Tuesday, August 08, 2017   Mt, Robson - Kinney Lake hike, drive to Jasper
Wednesday, August 09, 2017   Maligne Canyon,  Maligne Lake Cruise , Mount Edith Cavell (if we get permit)
Thursday, August 10, 2017   Icelands Parkway,Athabasca Falls, Beauty Creek to Stanley falls, Mistaya Canyon, Parker Ridge(if we have time), Bow Lake Summit overlooking Peyto Lake, Bow Lake

Canmore:
Friday, August 11, 2017           Prepare for Shabbos, explore canmore area via bikes
Saturday, August 12, 2017   Shabbos in Canmore -
Sunday, August 13, 2017   Morraine Lake, Valley of ten peaks, Lake Louise, Lake Agnes Teahouse Plain of Six Glaciers Loop
Monday, August 14, 2017   Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake, Natural Bridge, Takkakaw Falls
Tuesday, August 15, 2017   Town of Banff, Banff Gondola , Horseback riding , Tunnel Mountain Summit hike
Wednesday, August 16, 2017   Drive to Calgary, fly home

Offline em0616

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Re: Aarony summer 2017 Vancouver-Canadian Rockies
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2017, 04:36:00 PM »
This is an excellent itinerary.

For Sunday, Aug 13, Morraine Lake, make sure to go on further and take a hike on to Consolation Lake, it's about 2 miles each way on a flat trail, and allow some time in to take in the scenery. - that's been always the highlight of my trips. A 6-mile return hike up Fairview Mountain is also worth it, but it's steep with 3,326 ft elevation gain.

I always wanted to hike up Mt. Robson, or perhaps take the helicopter to the top of Berg Lake Trail, and then do the 11 miles downhill. Been to the Canadian Rockies many times, I would prefer to spend more time in Lake Louise, Banff is overrated, and one can skip it. Canmore is good as a base and more affordable, although I camp out, as accommodation is quite expensive.

In Yoho National Park, I highly recommend Lake O'Hara. You have to reserve the shuttle bus in advance; when I went the other year, I walked up the 7-mile access road up, and then down....

http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho/activ/randonnee-hike/ohara

Also, do invest in a snow ice stabilizer for your shoes - (Even in the Summer months, some of the trails are snowy/icy in parts)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/sporting-goods/5160160011/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_sg_1_5_last
 
Doesn't hurt to have bear spray, in case you win the lottery and encounter a grizzly bear:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bear+spray


Offline aarony

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Re: Aarony summer 2017 Vancouver-Canadian Rockies
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2017, 04:47:45 PM »
 Thank you for the suggestions.   We will definitely be carrying bear spray on any hikes!!

 I am hoping that there will be some other people that will want to stay in Kenmore and we will be able to put together a minyan. 

I probably have a couple of extra reservations that I have not yet canceled in both Canmore  and Jasper ( Jasper reservations are next to impossible this summer)

Offline em0616

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Re: Aarony summer 2017 Vancouver-Canadian Rockies
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2017, 05:17:10 PM »
Thank you for the suggestions.   We will definitely be carrying bear spray on any hikes!!

 I am hoping that there will be some other people that will want to stay in Kenmore and we will be able to put together a minyan. 

I probably have a couple of extra reservations that I have not yet canceled in both Canmore  and Jasper ( Jasper reservations are next to impossible this summer)

Just note, that bear spray is a prohibited item in your luggage - https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/bear-spray
as it exceeds the volume and concentration limitations. You can buy it in Canada, e.g. in the sporting good shops. (Although I paid around 50 Canadian, and flew back home with it). Some trailheads have a sign with a bear warnings and specify that you must hike in groups of 4. I always ignored, I can't help it, as I am a solo hiker). Anyways, I seem to always pass many hikers on the way.  I never encountered a bear on a trail, but encountered bears many many times when I was driving on the highway.

At any rate, the bears don't want to run into you either. They are shy, and they would run away. The big danger is if you happen to walk in between a mother bear and her cubs.

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/ours-humains-bears-people

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/large-male-grizzly-bear-follows-hikers-down-trail-in-banff-national-park

Offline em0616

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Re: Aarony summer 2017 Vancouver-Canadian Rockies
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2017, 05:38:36 PM »

 I am hoping that there will be some other people that will want to stay in Kenmore and we will be able to put together a minyan. 


You can also stay in Calgary which is 60 miles away from Canmore, just the shul there is a far walk to the hotel. Last time I was there, I stayed in Golden, BC over Shabbos. I think it was on this property: https://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/rocky-mountain-cabins-and-lodge.html
There is also http://www.mountainviewcabinsbc.com