We did something we do not normally do. We arose early this morning, real early and we discovered two things. One it was still dark.
Two it was cold. The outside thermometer registered 23°F or about -4°C. However we had a plan so we packed up and headed down to the local coffee and bakery as they opened at 6AM and we got them just after opening. We stocked up on coffee and pastries and headed for Hwy 1A. Hwy 1A or the Bow Valley Parkway is supposedly very good for wildlife viewing first thing in the morning. We arrived a little early as it was still dark so we sat at the first pull and enjoyed our breakfast.
When it was finally light enough we headed down the road and I was able to go pretty slow as we virtually had the highway to ourselves. Well we did until we ran into this fellow which was our first sighting of the morning.
After taking a couple of pictures and watching him for awhile we headed down the road. I guess we were fortunate to see this big guy because for the rest of the drive we saw nothing, nada, zip, zero. It was a little disappointing but we did see some pretty nice scenery and it was a slow leisurely drive.
During the drive we came across a memorial to detainees from WW1. During World War I, immigrants from Austria, Hungary, Germany and Ukraine were sent to Banff to work in internment camps. The main camp was located at Castle Mountain, and was moved to Cave and Basin during winter. Much early infrastructure and road construction was done by Slavic Canadian internees.
One of the plans we had for today was to hike Johnston Canyon. There are two falls that are supposedly very nice and it would also be a nice hike in our distance range. However, when we reached Johnston Canyon the thermometer registered 19° F or about -6°C and we wimped out. Kathy called it a very logical decision as our Texas acclimatized blood would not let us get out of the truck.
We then headed out to Bow Falls as I could not remember ever seeing it. However when we got there I remembered but we took some pictures anyway. We viewed it from the top and then drove down and had a look from the bottom.
While we were on the upper portion we had a good view of Banff Springs Hotel.
In leaving Banff our plan was to take Hwy 1 to Hwy 40 and head south with our final destination being Waterton National Park. We had a short stop in Canmore to get a few groceries and make lunch before heading on.
Shortly out of town we came across a lot of cars pulled over to the side on the 4 lane major Highway and this could only mean one thing. A Bear. Sure enough, as we also stopped, there was a bear just a short way inside a fence feeding on something. It could have been anything but we surmised it was something that was killed by the train the night before. The train tracks ran also side the highway.
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We did miss a little bit of excitement as we were told that two coyotes had tried to steal the bear’s food. There was a bit of a tussle before the bear chased them off.
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We had to move on so we left the crowd and got back on the highway.
The drive from Canmore along Hwy 1 and then Hwy 40 was very similar to the drive through Banff National Park. We were still following the Rocky Mountains and the terrain was very similar but also very different. We still had the mountains on each side but each mountain has its own unique look and shape. The road was not busy and we leisurely enjoyed the drive while stopping to take pictures. The temperature has soared to a balmy 31°F by this time.
During the drive to High Point which was the end of Hwy 40 we did get to see a little wildlife.
Once we reached High Point we turned on Hwy 22 that would take us to Hwy 3. It was at this point that we exited the mountains and entered into the foothills.
A short time later we left the foothills and traveled through some amazing farm country.
As we drove along Hwy 22 the mountains started to come into view and in these mountains was our final
destination for the day, Waterton National Park.
However prior to completing the day’s journey to the park we took a little detour back west. On Hwy 3 is Crowsnest Pass, one of the two major Highways’ through the Rocky Mountains joining Alberta and BC. At the top of the pass is Franks, Alberta or what is left of Franks.
In the early morning hours of April 29, 1903, Turtle Mountain collapsed, resulting in the greatest landslide in North American history. In 100 seconds about 1/3 of Franks was buried under 90 tons of massive limestone boulders. The homes were crushed like balsa wood and over a mile of the Canadian Pacific Railroad was completely destroyed. A river became a lake. Of the 90 people that died that day only 18 bodies have been discovered, 12 in the initial stages and 6 more when the road was being widened in 1922.
We turned around at Franks and did not go entirely through the pass as it was getting late. We were about 80 kilometers from the park so made that our next stop. Well almost, we did stop and take some pictures.
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We got to the park but before checking in we were advised to head over to an area near the horse stables and park. The elk came into this area in the early evening as it was rutting season. We watched the Bull Elk with his harem as he strutted around ready to be of service and the females who avoided him. We heard a lot of bugling from the male which was returned but we did not see an encounter. Maybe tomorrow night.
We headed back to the campsite, set up and called it a night. It was a good day. A long day, but a good day.
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