Gsxrgirrl does Banff, Alberta

[NoGall]

The temp continued to drop from 42F... We had monitored the average temps (64F to 54F) for weeks before we left. We were prepared for the 50's or even high 40's, but not low 40's and high 30's. Add in the windchill factor, we were bone cold. A few more miles after Bow Lake, we reached the snow line. We decided to abandone the plan to reach the Icefield, let alone Jasper. We tried, but this was getting too cold to be safe.

 

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It was a disappointment, but there is always next year. So, we did the most sensible thing and turned around for Bow Lake.

 

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We enjoyed a nice and simple lunch at the famed Num-Ti-Jah Lodge... a nice cup of much needed hot-chocolate... and sat by the lake... watching the world goes by.

 

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Here is a shot of Bow Glacier... That's ice, baby!

 

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While sitting by the lake, we thought maybe we should head back to Banff for the gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain since most of the mountains here are still obscured by fog or clouds. So, back to Banff we went. We went back on Old 1 again, hoping to see something new.

Pilot Mountain in the middle:

 

[NoGall]

You could live here your entire life and still not learn all the faces of a mountain. A map of the peaks can be helpful:

 

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Castle Mountain

 

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Couldn't figure out what this one was... a bit after Castle, and on the west side of 1.

 

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Back in Banff, on the gondola up Sulphur Mountain, here is a shot of the face of Rundle:

 

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She got all giddy because it was cold. Freaking Canadian.

 

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Looking west from top...

 

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More...

 

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Sharp...

 

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Overlooking the town of Banff... You are encircled by the mountains. You should be able to make out the Banff Springs Hotel just below Tunnel Mountain in the low center of the pic, and Bow River.

 

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We then went back for the hot tub. Packed it in early as this was our last night in Banff. Gotta cross back to the US tomorrow.

Day 7, 410 miles

We were a bit sad leaving Banff, eventhough the weather kind of sucked. I had a great time here, and Gsxrgirrl got to visit her old stomping grounds. I was also a bit upset because the forecast for this day and the following days is bright, sunny, and hot :wow :cry I did, however, manage to get a good shot of Castle Moutain on our way out:

 

[NoGall]

From 1, we got on 93 South for Radium Hot Springs. The temperature slowly climbed to more comfortable ranges as we shed altitude.

We made an obligatory stop at teh Divide:

 

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The obligatory bike-straddling-the-Divide shot:

 

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We looked for a good road sign for Waterboy. We thought this would be perfect. Took us a while to find one that still has all of its legs.

 

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Try this out for size...

 

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You don't need a pass for 93 South, but it is still very scenic. Check out the snow line ... That's how high we were yesterday.