prehistoric fossils, and amazing wildlife in North America other than the exciting destination of the Canadian Rockies? Coming to Alberta, this mountainous land is still relatively remote. Nature is in control with weather that can be highly unpredictable. Bright, clear skies can suddenly change to bring heavy, concentrated rainfall and then switch again to fair weather.

 

Encountering the wilds can be primeval since it feels incredibly significant and momentous —so epochal as it is strikingly real. Seeing vast green patches of spruce and evergreen trees under blue skies provides a cool palette that induces a wonderful feeling of calmness.

 

In driving from Calgary to Canmore, one senses are in overdrive with viewing the amazing scenery. Towering mountains create a sense of awe as if you are entering a kingdom of wonders. The sheer size and structure of these giant edifices are enthralling when gazing at the enormous elevation of this rugged terrain. The experience is unlike any other since the Rockies’ sheer beauty is exceptional, providing an array of light and dark shadows along the way. It makes the drive exciting and surreal since there is virtually nothing else that casts a spell like this.

 

 

Canmore – gateway to Banff, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Just over an hour’s drive, we arrived in Canmore, which has breathtaking mountains, including a trio of tall peaks known as the Three Sisters Mountains. From just about every vantage point, these monolithic mountains stand guard to protect against nature’s forces.

 

In this bustling town, we mingled with the locals and shared tales about the great outdoors. We found Canmore an ideal base for exploring nearby national parks and provided an easy drive to Banff, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

 

In contrast, Banff is a sophisticated, alpine town with rugged wilderness surroundings that offers high-end accommodations and a wide range of dining options, overlooking the Bow River. Its location is entirely within Banff National Park, known as the country’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the town centre, we viewed the dramatic peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade. At 4,137 feet, Banff is officially the town with the highest elevation in Canada. Its popularity makes it undoubtedly a sought after destination within striking distance of the glacial lakes of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise.

 

 

Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
We joined RADVENTURES for the Best of Banff tour to explore Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. With our guide Kirsty, we set out early with five others to explore some of the most iconic sights in the Rockies. Our guide told us that access to Lake Moraine is only by commercial vehicles. Private access is not permitted to visit this place. The experience of hiking around this lake proved to be the highlight of our tour. The intense blue of this lake created its own aura. The bright red canoes drifting on the water further produced a tranquil setting.

 

Our next destination, Lake Louise, proved to be as spectacular with its deep blue hue that was just as beautiful as Moraine Lake. We gazed at the bright red canoes silently gliding across the lake that seemed so peaceful. Just above the water, the magnificent Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise evoked a sense of elegance and beauty in the wilderness.

 

 

Emerald Lake
A short drive along the Trans-Canada Highway is Emerald Lake that proved to be as captivating when touring the area on our own. This destination seemed more remote, but was just as spectacular, with emerald colored water that appeared like a precious gem in the dense woodlands. Its exceptional beauty seemed so wild and untouched. Nearby, we hear about the Burgess Shale that produced one of the most famous fossil beds in the world.

 

Driving a short distance to British Columbia, we traveled to see Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park. As the second tallest waterfall in Canada and the tallest in the Canadian Rockies, these plunging waters are sheer magic. We took a winding road to reach the falls since it was right beside the parking lot that provided access to a large, paved and graded trail.

 

Another set of waterfalls worth a visit was Johnston Canyon in Alberta, where we hiked on narrow paths along the cliffs to view the beautiful Lower and Upper Falls and further along are bubbling springs. Within these canyon walls, there are fossils over 370 million years old.

 

 

Wildlife Encounters
Seeing wildlife was certainly the highlight of our visit to the Canadian Rockies. We listened to the locals who told us how important it is to have the right gear to keep safe whenever encountering wildlife. A protective measure is to carry bear spray in case of encountering black and grizzly bears in the wilds, and travel in a group of four for further protection.

 

Although not having any bear sightings, we took precaution and hiked with another couple for a little extra security. However, we saw many other species of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer, as well as smaller alpine creatures like pikas, squirrels and chipmunks. The wildlife astounded us, especially seeing a mule deer grazing in the front yard of a house and then spotting another doe on a cliff in Banff.

 

For those wanting further adventure, the Columbia Icefields are stunning glacial features that are worth seeing. Consisting of six major glaciers, you can take a walk to the glacier toe and see how far it has receded over the years. The only way to see the Icefields is on a guided tour.

 

 

Sense of Adventure
Visiting some of the most iconic sights in the Canadian Rockies offered an amazing opportunity to experience the deep backcountry with so much natural beauty. It allowed us to gain unique perspectives on these mountain landscapes that transported us to timeless places of beauty. These experiences offered us a chance to be in the moment as we noticed the amazing scenery surrounding us.

 

Every place on our visit was exciting with awe-inspiring mountain beauty. The Canadian Rockies can no doubt create a physical, outstanding experience that extends beyond the norm.