Author Topic: Banff and Jasper Master Thread (Read 120954 times)

ZCN · « **Reply #40 on:** July 23, 2012, 12:59:56 AM »

Quote from: Dan on July 22, 2012, 11:43:17 PM

Is it a place where we will miss out on incredible hikes/views due to having an infant in a stroller or would we be able to accomplish a lot regardless of that?

A few hours of driving is perfectly doable.

I can't fully answer that as we mainly did driving with a few hikes here and there, and we traveled without my daughter. Some of the trails we went on were kind of steep and I would not recommend for a stroller unless you are up to a good workout. other trails were flat, YHMV lol. Maybe go with a stroller/knapsack combo?

As far a driving keep in mind that for example the Columbia Icefields highway is about 3 hours of driving without stops.

While I'm on the subject there's a stop on the Columbia Icefields Highway called Mistaya Canyon which is not really mentioned in guidebooks as something special. It's a powerful river that turns into a waterfall and then becomes a river though a canyon. We were there in June so maybe the water is stronger then but for us it was one of the highlights of our trip.

Dan · « **Reply #41 on:** July 23, 2012, 01:01:58 AM »

C'mon type up a trip report

Ergel · « **Reply #42 on:** July 23, 2012, 09:13:57 AM »

Quote from: Dan on July 23, 2012, 12:55:16 AM

Never really tried, is that practical at 23 pounds?

In just did a pretty strenuous two hour hike with it. It's doable but I wouldn't do longer than that, and maybe a little more of a moderate hike.
The tough traveler knapsacks seem like they get nice reviews

Dan · « **Reply #43 on:** July 23, 2012, 12:22:23 PM »

Quote from: Ergel on July 23, 2012, 09:13:57 AM

The tough traveler knapsacks seem like they get nice reviews

Link?

Ergel · « **Reply #44 on:** July 23, 2012, 12:25:33 PM »

Quote from: Dan on July 23, 2012, 12:22:23 PM

Link?

http://www.epinions.com/reviews/kifm-Baby_Equipment-Carriers-All-Kid_Carrier
Although they are from ten years ago

Traveler718 · « **Reply #45 on:** July 24, 2012, 02:10:30 AM »

Here's what I successfully used to do a number of hikes when my toddler was as much as 30 pounds:

http://www.rei.com/product/810852/deuter-kid-comfort-ii-child-carrier

It's not cheap, but it's amazingly built, and I wouldn't have been able to explore the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, or many other places without it. The other brand I looked into is Kelty, but I love the Deuter and can't recommend it enough.

Ergel · « **Reply #46 on:** July 24, 2012, 08:54:32 AM »

Thanks. On sale here for $182. Use code summer20 for another ten percent off

Dan · « **Reply #47 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:30:39 PM »

What's the difference between the Comfort 2 and the Comfort 3?

Traveler718 · « **Reply #48 on:** July 24, 2012, 05:38:43 PM »

The latest model has the higher back for a larger kid to fit in more comfortably as you can see in the pictures (we actually thought it would be too big to pack comfortably) plus a rear-view mirror so you can check if the kid is happy/sleeping/eating. I also seem to recall that it had a soft piece in front of the kid that he could lean forward onto in order to rest more comfortably. Didn't seem to justify the price to us, but feel free to read online reviews to see what others say.

sezux · « **Reply #49 on:** August 21, 2012, 11:36:05 PM »

1. Thanks to ZCN for the tips.

Banff in One Day

We spent one day in the park (drove in from Calgary in the morning and back out in the evening) and hiked from Lake Louise on the "Plain of Six Glaciers Trail".

To the lookout at the end of the trail is 8.5 miles RT (about 5 hrs); it is absolutely spectacular. We saw kids as young as five doing it, and plenty of people carrying kids on their backs.

When we got back to lake Louise we drove up 93 (Ice-fields Pkwy), to the Saskatchewan River Crossing (about 1 hr). The views are even better than the hike. Be sure to stop and get out at Bow Lake.

Whenever you see people pulled over it means that there is some nice wildlife; we saw elk and bear.

We missed so much, but it was all we could fit in. I wish I could've stayed for longer.

I Hope this helps people planning a one day stint in one of the most magnificent places that I have seen.

joey89 · « **Reply #50 on:** August 22, 2012, 02:09:36 AM »

I just saw this post. Wish would have seen it earlier when I got back from banff, in Late march would have posted a report.
As is I was only there for a day so didnt get to see much

Mordy2 · « **Reply #51 on:** August 22, 2012, 04:20:50 PM »

I was in Banff for a couple days and it was awesome!!! The sights are unreal!!! I think it would be pretty hard to get it all in with a baby. The scenery is so majestic. I would not miss Peyto lake, Mistaya Canyon, Lake Louise, the Icefields. TakkkawFalls is actually the tallest falls in Canada (although Niagara Falls is much much wider).

One spot no one mentioned is Johnston Canyon. Its a beautiful trail with 2 tracks- the upper falls and lower falls. The view from the upper falls is much better but even the lower falls involves quite a bit of climbing. Definitely can't be done with a stroller and it would be very difficult with a baby carrier.

The spiral tunnels in yoho park are interesting stop if you have time. Due to the mountainous terrain, in order for a freight train to get to the next spot, it needs to cross over itself 4 times!

Lake emerald is a beautiful lake too. Rowboats, paddle boats and kayaks are avail at most lakes in the area. We went motor boating very far out/ don't remember the exact location. There are helicopter tours , atvs, and rafting for those looking for adventure.

There are gondolas in the lake Louise area and in Banff. I Would recommend the Banff gondola. You hike up to the mountain top once u get out of the gondola and the scenery is unreal up there.

The driving on its own is magnificent. The roads are pretty new- the highways were redone for the Calgary olympics. There's virtually no traffic- when cars stop you know there's wildlife on the road/ bears, wolves, mountain goats etc.

Dan · « **Reply #52 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:09:30 PM »

Any more TRs?
Am I crazy to go to Banff with a baby in a stroller?

sky121 · « **Reply #53 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:12:59 PM »

Hope to have one for ya in the end of August though no kids will be joining me.

From what I've read I would attempt it with one kid in a stroller.

Dan · « **Reply #54 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:15:59 PM »

Quote from: sky121 on June 03, 2013, 02:12:59 PM

Hope to have one for ya in the end of August though no kids will be joining me.

From what I've read I would attempt it with one kid in a stroller.

If I go it'll be before then.

henche · « **Reply #55 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:16:20 PM »

Hiked Mt. Robson. It was mad awesome.

If doing again, I'd do in 4 days.

Dan · « **Reply #56 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:21:01 PM »

Any consensus on the ideal trip time with Jasper and without Jasper?

how · « **Reply #57 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:53:27 PM »

Quote from: Dan on June 03, 2013, 02:21:01 PM

Any consensus on the ideal trip time with Jasper and without Jasper?

you can drive down to jasper and see the glaciers the drive is stunning and there are turn offs along the way that you will want to see anyway. i dont think there is much in jasper to warrant sleeping there but I could be wrong.

You will be perfectly fine with a baby stroller but dont expect to do any hikes or mountain climbing. Also bring a decent stroller that should make it easier. There are paths that you should still do with a stroller such as johnson falls, but its not so nice that its worth the effort.

Dont forget to bring along kosher food unless you wantto go when they have one of these kosher tours that are very $$$$$$

Dan · « **Reply #58 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:57:49 PM »

Jasper is 7:20 round-trip according to Google.

That's much more than I'd want to drive in a day on vacation. I'd rather skip it.

If there aren't any kid friendly hikes what is there to do with a kid? Am I better off going someplace else?

Ergel · « **Reply #59 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:58:04 PM »

Quote from: how on June 03, 2013, 02:53:27 PM

Dont forget to bring along kosher food unless you wantto go when they have one of these kosher tours that are very $$$$$$

LOL

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Author Topic: Banff and Jasper Master Thread (Read 120954 times)