The Travel Bug – Rocky Mountain High!

September 7, 2010

The Rocky Mountains are the first thing most tourists think of when visiting Canada, and the second is wildlife. Both of these highlights can be experienced in the one place – Jasper. It’s a pretty mountain town that is a major hub for people exploring the Rockies. Here I met with the guys from Jasper Adventure Centre and was treated to a guided wildlife tour of the region. The amazing thing was, we literally drove for only 10 minutes from town before we had our first encounter – a grizzly bear!

The grizzly is an iconic animal in these parts and to see one in the wild is quite rare. Five minutes later and I was within a few meters of a huge feeding bull elk. It was casually grazing by the roadside, with a gorgeous lake and mountains providing an idyllic backdrop. As the day progressed I was lucky enough to see loads of wildlife, plus magnificent formations including Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake and the jaw-dropping Angel Glacier.

Leaving Jasper at sunrise the following morning, I hit the road on one of the world’s great drives, the 230km Icefields Parkway that links Jasper and Lake Louise to the south. This road traverses the heart of the Canadian Rockies and passes several glaciers, countless mountain peaks and some of the most inspiring scenery on the planet. There are various places to stop along the way, including Athabasca Falls, but the highlight for me was Peyto Lake. This blue-green body of water sits in a valley, surrounded by pine forests that give way to snow-capped peaks. It’s the type of setting you would expect to find on a postcard.

Nest stop was Lake Louise. This is the end of the Icefields Parkway, and a fitting climax to the drive. Like Peyto Lake, this waterway is a similar hue and surrounded by mountains, though the major point of difference are the hordes of people and huge chateau-like hotel that sits on the bank. You can paddle a canoe on the glassy waters, or take a stroll on one of the many walkways, either way, make sure you have plenty of space on your digital camera, because there are endless photo opportunities!

My next port of call was the Lake Louise Sightseeing Lift and Interpretive Centre. I came here not only to take in the scenery on the gondola ride up the mountain, but also to learn a little about the mighty grizzly bear and other animals that call this piece of Canada home. To do this I took the guided walk along the ‘Trail of the Great Bear Hike’. This educational tour gave me a real insight into the local flora and fauna, particularly the grizzly bear. I bet you didn’t know that grizzly’s can pack on upwards of 180kg during Spring and Summer, most of which comes from eating tiny little berries!

My lodging for the night was the cosy and luxurious Baker Creek Chalets. They are located away from all the people, just outside of town, and sit right on a beautiful river. If I ever find myself in this neck of the woods again, I’ll definitely be staying there again!

The following morning I made my way to Banff, or more specifically, Warner Stables. You can’t visit Canada without experiencing a horseback adventure, so I donned a cowboy hat and saddled up for a mountain trail ride. It proved to be a relaxing way to take in the areas sights, all the while learning about how the west was won.

Having worked up a hunger, I was relieved to know that next on the agenda was a cooking lesson with resident chef at Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Allistair Barnes. He’s a master of Rocky Mountain Cuisine, a type of cooking that uses local produce to create tasty dishes that often feature unique ingredients like bison and elk! Seeing a master at work is always exciting, and to be able to have a meal cooked personally for you by a world-class chef is something special.

With a belly full of bison I made my way to the Banff Gondola to see the town from the top of Sulphur Mountain. Unfortunately I had stormy weather at the time, but it was still a lot of fun. The drama of the scenery, the crisp mountain air, plus a visit from the resident squirrels and mountain sheep added to the experience. I could only imagine how spectacular the views would be on a clear day!

The final stop on this leg of the trip was in Calgary. The drive from Banff took about 90 minutes, and in this time the Rockies quickly gave way to flat farmland. I was only going to be in Calgary for enough time to have a look around the city, but I instantly came to appreciate the hospitality that this place is known for. The friendly folks were full of smiles and more than happy to help me find my way around. To top things off I was made an honorary Calgarian and presented with the areas iconic white hat!