British Columbia National Parks, Fall 2023

In mid-October, we visited all four of the national parks in the Rocky Mountains of BC, as well as Banff National Park in western Alberta. We also stopped in at the soaking pools of Radium Hot Springs. I was expecting something very different, not the huge shallow swimming pools that are there. We didn't soak, but many people were there to do so in the lovely forested setting.

Kootenay National Park
	We were excited to get into the Rockies, but fall is here (it's after the Canadian Thanksgiving) and most park campgrounds are closed. So we looked for other options near Invermere or Radium Hot Springs, and were very happy to get info from a local about free camping at the Lake Enid Recreation Site. This is a view of Lake Enid, not from our campsite, but only a short stroll away. The road in is pretty rough, but we're adventurous and willing to get away from crowds.
	We drove into Kootenay National Park from Radium Hot Springs. The entire drive along the Kootenay Highway (Hwy 93) is stunning. This stop is at the Numa Creek Trailhead parking lot, although this is the Kootenay River. Nothing beats the colour of the glacial waters in the mountains.
	Our day trip ended at the Marble Falls Trail. Hiking up from the highway, the clear waters pool, surrounded by evergreens. As we climb higher, a chasm forms with the Kootenay River far below, sometimes so far it is dark. I forget how many waterfalls there were, and some were thunderous. The trail criss-crosses the chasm with wooden bridges.  This photo shows Brad at the end of the developed trail.
	On the way back, we stopped at Vermillion Crossing and hiked the Kootenay River a short distance to the east.
Yoho National Park
	At our previous campsite at Lake Enid, we met a local native, Little Bear, who has explored these mountains fairly extensively. He told us where we could boondock (camp for free without hookups) near the town of Golden. This was our view on the Blaeberry River, about a 10-15 minute drive off the highway. There were a few other campers here as well, but camping beside the river and hearing the water trickling over the rocks all night was the best peace in the world!
	Yoho National Park is to the east of Golden, and we took a couple of day trips through the park. Here is Emerald Lake Lodge on - you guessed it - Emerald Lake.
	On the way home one evening, we spotted several cars pulled over on the side of the highway, so I knew some wildlife was nearby. This grizzly bear was sauntering down the train tracks. It's time to find a den for the winter Grizz!
	Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park is a very popular spot with tourists. The Kicking Horse River runs along the Trans-Canada Highway for some distance before cascading through this natural bridge just off of Emerald Lake Road. A trail follows the river downstream for a short distance. Also interesting and just east of this spot is the spiral tunnel, where trains quickly gain or lose elevation by going through a circular tunnel inside the mountain. No photo here as it would be too small to see the train or the tunnel, although we were lucky to see a train passing.
Banff National Park in Alberta
	Since Lake Louise was so close to the eastern entrance of Yoho National Park, we decided to take a quick drive there. Lake Louise never disappoints, but it can be crowded, more-so in summer, I'm sure.
Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks
	Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks are to the west of us, and we decide to sample both in one day. In Glacier National Park, we hiked the Meeting of the Waters Trail. It was a very wet day, not raining, but misty. I think we would have enjoyed this easy hike more if it was drier and sunny.
	Along the way was the ruins of an old hotel called Glacier House, which was one of three stops along the Canadian Pacific line. This hotel was once a sister to the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise, both of which are now quite famous and still in use. Glacier House is in ruin due to its abandonment after avalanches hit the area in 1910, and a decision to tunnel the train track through the mountain instead. A good history of Glacier House and the proposed railway line is here.
	In Mount Revelstoke National Park, we drove up the Meadows in the Sky Parkway. The cloudy sky opened up briefly for this lovely shot of the town of Revelstoke and the Columbia River. There were many stops along this parkway, affording views of the valley, river and surrounding mountains, as well as hiking trails.