We rode down through Kootenay National Park, through
Radium, then up highway 95 to Golden. Left Golden and headed East on the
Trans-Canada highway and immediately got involved in traffic, including
large trucks. When first heading out of Golden, the road has lots of
curves and ups and downs. Loaded trucks travel very slowly, both up and
down hill. Mountain Goats frequent the area. Rocks can be found around
just about every corner. Tar snakes aren't too bad but do appear in
various areas. Gravel from the shoulder finds its way onto the road.
Some curves are switchbacks with "slow to 25KPH signs" and
long tractor trailers have great difficulty in not coming over the line
a bit. In summer "MonsterBagos", driving by people who
normally drive tiny cages are all over the road!
But, on a nice sunny day with low traffic, it is a glorious ride!
So, back to the final page of pictures and the ride:
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We have just left the passing lane and crested this particular section
of road. There is a road off to the left that goes into Emerald
Lake - a VERY worthy side trip that I didn't do on this day.
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The town of field is in a long valley. There is an information
center here that is very interesting! If you are interested in
the "Burgess Shale", stop in. If you aren't into old
fossils, the animal "stuff" is still interesting.
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At the opposite end of the valley from Field is the turn off to
Takawaka falls. I've turned off on that road! You can see it is
well paved but is now much narrower. Lots of curves and some
REAL interesting switchbacks - you'll cross the center line on
these suckers.
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This is Takawka falls. Fed by a Glacier on top, falls for a
good distance then hits a solid hunk of rock and shoots out and
down into the valley.
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Lots of parking at the falls and as you can see, lots of
mountains surrounding the area. There is even a Youth Hostel
located here if you choose to stay overnight. Just make sure you
book ahead.
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Heading back down the road to the main highway, you have to keep
your speed down. Steep grades, tight corners, potential for
animals AND there are tour buses. In winter, this whole road is
a cross country ski track and the snow is easily 8 feet deep
where this picture is taken.
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After getting back on the Trans-Canada highway and riding up the
hill by Tunnel Mountain (really interesting if you are into
trains), we head into Lake Louise. GO UP to the lake and check
it out. After leaving Lake Louise, take the Bow Valley Parkway
back. These chalets are at Baker Creek - a real pretty spot.
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At the end of the Bow Valley Parkway, you are back onto the
Trans-Canada. Banff has an Airport "sort of". This is
it, you can see the windsock off to the left. There are Elk on
the grass runway. If you fly into the area, you fly into Calgary
and Bus into Banff, there are no commercial flights.
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Heading past Banff, you exit the park gates and ride past
Canmore. These three mountains are named the "Three
Sisters" and if you stop in Banff or Canmore, you can get
paintings of these mountains.
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Heading back towards Calgary on the Trans-Canada highway. You
can see how the landscape changes as we pass through the
foothills. A 1/2 hour or so ride from here and you are into the
plains but even at this point you can see quite far. Obviously
time to "debug" that windscreen.
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Back in Calgary and what do I see - another Winger.
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Click Here for a Map of the trip.
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