Camping in Banff

July 5^th, 2012

We’ve been camping in Banff since Monday night and we love it over here. Ben keeps talking about how this is real camping and how much he is loving the place and I can totally see why. We are camping in Johnston Canyon camping ground which seems to be very central and equally close to Banff and Lake Louise. Out of all of our different campsites so far this has been the most comfortable for me. The camp is large and almost always at least two thirds full which gives us a nice feeling of not being all alone in the wilderness. We’ve also seen many more fellow tenters here than in BC camp grounds which is also very nice. I personally like that the camp has enough modern life conveniences like flush toilets, dish washing sinks and power outlets to make it comfortable while at the same time, keeping the heart and soul of the forest alive enough to make us feel that we are indeed in the wilderness.  I also feel safer here than in previous sites, something that is unexpected considering the abundance of wild animals in this area. The feeling of security was helped by the assurance by the check- in lady that although bears are frequently seen just outside the camp, they almost never actually come into it. I am not surprised because the camp is busy and loud while also (thanks to the very vigilant park staff) being very clean of food and anything else that might attract bears which is the trick to keeping wild animals away.

Speaking of wild animals, the days we’ve been here have been great for viewing wild animals that I have never seen before. On the way up here we spotted a grizzly bear and the next day a black bear. We also spotted three big horn sheep on our second morning. But yesterday in my opinion brought the best wildlife viewing.  We had gone for a walk to the nearby lodge and restaurant for an afternoon ice cream treat. On the way back we were walking by the creek under a little bridge and just as we came out of under the bridge we noticed two HUGE elks standing on the other side of the creek feeding on grass. It was a great sight!! These two very big animals were right there mere meters away from us, completely oblivious to us watching them eat away. We stood there for a good 5 minutes or more, taking pictures and then just watching in awe. We then walked the rest of the way home leaving the elks to continue their dinner in peace. 

Elks in Banff

It seems that the elk population here is out and about these days because today we spotted two more as we drove back to camp at the end of our day. We also saw a deer in Banff town and it was right in the front courtyard of a residential apartment building!  We’ve seen warning signs for wolfs around here but have not spotted any, which in my opinion is not a bad thing! I would however like to see a bear from a clearer (but safe) vantage point as so far the only two I spotted I only managed to get a glimpse of their backside as they were disappearing into the forest.

This area of Canada in truly majestic. There is no way of describing the beauty and power of the Rockies except to just be here and see them. They stand so tall and so bold, they are awe inspiring. I am so very glad to have had the opportunity to come here and see them.  Another majestic sight has been the Takakkaw waterfall. Yesterday we walk right up to it and had a picnic lunch as we sat and stared at its beautiful water thundering down what seems like eternity.  Today we visited Lake Louise, yet another beautiful icon of this country and now I know why. I have never seen water this colour before and certainly never, not even in Norway have I seen such a beautiful sight of lake, mountains, trees and glaciers all in one exquisite frame.  If you are a nature lover, the Rockies are a must see and visit. I am so glad we decided to spend a few days here to venture around and see as much of the area as possible. Alas, we run out of time tonight and we will have to leave a few things unseen, but not forever as I very surely see myself coming back here again.

Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park 

Tomorrow is off to Calgary where we will be staying with a very generous friend of mine for a couple of days. We have postponed our Calgary visit to now because we did not want to be in Banff during the Canada day long weekend craziness.  Now we realise that this has put us in Calgary during the 100 Anniversary Stampede craziness! Needless to say it was impossible to find hotel accommodation in town for anything less than $300 a night.  If it was not for my friend Joanne who very generously invited us to stay with her, we were going to alter our route to skip Calgary all together in favour of Edmonton. So thank you Joanne for giving Calgary a chance! J

Haifa