Banff: | |
Mainly a ski resort area, Banff is home to lots of Elk, Grizzly Bears, and other wildlife. We travel a lot in the off-seasons to avoid the crowds and enjoy the
scenery in relative peace. This trip, that equated to just making the last float plane trip to Fortress
Lake before they have to stop and let the lake freeze over so they can make wheeled landings on the ice. It was also rutting season, so there were lots of Elk out bangin' heads. One of the more brilliant
tourists in a condo near us decided one night to sound off his Elk call - just for fun. There was a
big bull Elk running around his place for about an hour trying to figure out how to "crash" his party. |
Pam With the Cows On Parade in Calgary
Calgary
Pam at the Inside Mall in Calgary
Rich at the Inside Mall in Calgary
The Canadian Rockies
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake
The Canadian Rockies
Columbia Ice Fields: | |
We took a trip on a big 6WD bus to the Columbia Ice Fields. They drive you up on top of a glacier.
It was as cold as ice - imagine that. Back at the Visitor Center, we were walking up the stairs
from the parking lot when, all of a sudden, I heard a tremendous sound - like an explosion. I turned around and
saw an avalanche taking place while I stood there. I whipped out the camera as fast as I could, but unfortunately,
I was probably at least a half mile from the crashing snow. It took place in an area that posed no danger to any cars or people. It did make a lot of noise for
being so far away. I guess there was a lot of echo in the area it was crashing into. I Just wish I had been
down by the far end of the parking lot so my pictures would have been better. Oh well. |
Columbia Ice Fields
Columbia Ice Fields
Columbia Ice Fields - Avalanche
Columbia Ice Fields - Avalanche Cropped & Zoomed-In
Lake Louise
Lake Louise
Road Hazards - Don't Interrupt These Guys
Johnston Canyon - a Beautiful Hike
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon
Fortress Lake: | |
This was a fascinating Journey. We flew a float plane into Fortress Lake - a remote lake only accessible by plane or foot.
There are no roads in or out. All supplies come by plane or are trekked in. There's a fishing/hunting camp on the lake. We went on a hike around one end of the lake and had lunch in the main tent. The outhouse was typical except
for one obvious feature. It had no doors. Instead, you would walk down the path, turn a wooden flake to denote "busy" then
sit a spell. The open end of the outhouse faced the Canadian Rockies. No need to bring a magazine. The day before we arrived there, the camp dog had a run-in with a Wolverine. Fortunately for the dog, the his owner
scared the Wolverine off before it killed him. Yep, this is the proverbial outdoors. The flight itself was eye-popping. Both coming and going we flew alongside mountains, over glaciers, past
glacial lakes and the touchdown in the lake was like sliding on butter. Perfect! |
Flight to Fortress Lake
Flight to Fortress Lake
Flight to Fortress Lake
Flight to Fortress Lake
Flight to Fortress Lake
Flight to Fortress Lake
Flight to Fortress Lake
Flight to Fortress Lake
First Look at Fortress Lake Through the Cockpit
Parked at Fortress Lake
Fortress Lake
Fortress Lake
Pam's got Coffee - All is Good
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
Flight Back from Fortress Lake
On The Ground Again - Great Flight - Beautiful Plane
Marble Creek - Another Nice Hike
Marble Creek
Marble Creek
Banff National Park
Banff National Park
Banff National Park
Banff Lodge - Like a Castle Inside
Montreal & Mt. Tremblant
Vancouver Island