TUESDAY, July 14th 2009
Day 1
 

Arrive at Calgary Airport at 11h30
Go get car rental.
Get info on Banff National Park hiking trails.
Go to Canadian Tire to buy Pepper Spray.
Buy food for the week.
 

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

WEDNESDAY, July 15th 2009
Day 2

Aylmer Pass map A — Banff — Closed from late July / 4+
Highest Alt : 2040 m

Please note: Trail users are required to travel in a minimum group size of four from July 15 to September 30.

Check trail report for current conditions.

13.3 km one way, elevation gain 810 m, 8 - 9 hours round trip

Trailhead: From the Minnewanka Interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway take the Lake Minnewanka Loop Road 5.5 km to Lake Minnewanka. Park in the large parking lot just above the boat concession entrance. Follow the paved path past the boat concession to the lakeshore trail. The Aylmer Pass trail branches north at km 8 and climbs steeply to a 2285 m pass.

planned BED AT 10h30  chez François Szoka

THURSDAY, July 16th 2009
Day 3   François Libre

Wenkchemna Pass map  C — Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Area —  4+
Highest Alt : 2620 m

9.7 km one way, elevation gain 720 m, 7 - 8 hours round trip

*** With François

Trailhead: 100 m past Moraine Lake Lodge, along lakeshore. A 2.4 km trail switchbacking steeply through the forest to a junction high on the north slope of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. From the junction it is another 0.4 km uphill to Larch Valley.

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

FRIDAY, July 17th 2009
Day 4    François Libre

Plain of Six Glaciers map  C — Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Area —
Highest Alt : 2070 m

5.3 km one way, elevation gain 365 m, 4 hours round trip

***With François

Trailhead: Follow the Lake Louise Shoreline trail to the back of the lake and continue on to Teahouse.

Option: Connect the Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers trails, via the Highline trail, to form a 14.6 km loop. 5 hours round trip.

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

SATURDAY, July 18th 2009
Day 5

Harvey Pass map B  — Castle Junction Area —
Highest Alt : 2160 m

9.7 km one way, elevation gain 1035 m, 7 - 8 hours round trip

Trailhead: On the Trans-Canada Highway 13 km west of the Mt. Norquay Interchange. Trailhead is on the south side of the four-lane divided highway. Strong hikers who are good route finders can continue beyond Bourgeau Lake on a rough, unmarked trail to Harvey Pass.

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

SUNDAY, July 19th 2009
Day 6

O'Brien Lake map B  — Castle Junction Area —
Highest Alt : 2065 m

8.1 km one way, elevation gain 640 m, 6 hours round trip

Trailhead: On the Trans-Canada Highway 8 km west of Castle Junction at Taylor Creek Picnic area. Caution: There are no signs on the highway for this trailhead. Use extreme caution when entering and exiting.

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

MONDAY, July 20th 2009
Day 7 François Libre?

Stanley Glacier map B  — Castle Junction Area —
Highest Alt : 1950 m

4.2 km one way, elevation gain 395 m, 4 hours round trip

Trailhead: On Highway 93 South, 13 km west of Castle Junction in Kootenay National Park.

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

TUESDAY, July 21st 2009
Day 8  François Libre?

Boulder Pass map  C — Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Area — 
Highest Alt : 2475 m

8.6 km to pass, elevation gain 640 m, 6 - 7 hours round trip

***With François

Trailhead: From the village drive towards the ski area, turn at signs for Fish Creek Parking area, follow gravel road for 1 km to parking lot on south side.

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

WEDNESDAY, July 22nd 2009
Day 9

Paradise Valley / Larch Valley
map  C — Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Area —  4+ organize in advance!
Highest Alt : 2105 m

17 km total distance, elevation gain 880 m, 7.5 hours

OR

Nigel Pass map D  — Icefields Parkway —
Highest Alt : 2195 m

7.2 km one way, elevation gain 365 m, 5 hours round trip

Trailhead: Follow the Icefields Parkway to a parking area 113.5 km north of the Lake Louise junction and 2.5 km north of the "Big Bend" switchback; parking area on northeast side of highway.

THURSDAY, July 23rd 2009
Day 10  François Libre?

Healy Pass map B  — Castle Junction Area —
Highest Alt : 2330 m

9.3 km one way, elevation gain 655 m, 6 to 7 hours round trip

Trailhead: Follow the Trans-Canada Highway 7.4 km west of Mt. Norquay Interchange and turn off to the right to get on the Sunshine Road. Follow this road for 9 km to the Sunshine Parking Lot.

The trail begins at the far end of the parking area immediately behind the Sunshine gondola terminal. After following the wide Sunshine ski-out trail for 800 m, it branches right, crosses Sunshine Creek and begins its ascent of Healy Creek.

planned BED AT 10h30 PM chez François Szoka

FRIDAY, July 24th 2009
Day 11

Horse back riding early in the morning.. if we haven't gone yet.

*** With François

2h00 PM : Car back to Rental

Airplane home late in the evening.
 

planned Sleep on the airplane Home early morning.

other suggestions :

Yoho National Park
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/yoho/activ/activ17_e.asp

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Dolomite Pass map D — Icefields Parkway
Highest Alt : 2195 m

9.0 km one way, elevation gain 550 m, 6 - 7 hours round trip

Trailhead: Same as Helen Lake. From the high ridge above Helen Lake, strong hikers can descend to the shores of Katherine Lake and then make a short climb to the summit of Dolomite Pass, 3.0 km farther.

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Bow Glacier Falls map D — Icefields Parkway
Highest Alt : 2055 m

4.6 km one way, elevation gain 155 m, 3 hours round trip

Trailhead: Follow the Icefields Parkway to the Num-tijah Lodge access road, on the west side of the highway 36 km north of the Lake Louise junction. The trailhead kiosk is 400 m down this access road.

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Cascade Amphitheatre map A — Banff —
Highest Alt : 2195 m

7.7 km one way, elevation gain 640 m, 6 hours round trip

Trailhead: From the main parking lot, walk past the ski lodge, then continue through the ski area to the last chair lift where there is a trail sign.

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