Planning a trip through the Rockies--helpful info?
Jonny_C @ Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:41 pm
pineywoodslim pineywoodslim:
Two weeks from Spokane WA to back home.
In other words, about 12 days in the Rockies, and 2 days from Calgary back to Iowa.
In other words, about 12 days in the Rockies, and 2 days from Calgary back to Iowa.
Just a word of advice. If you're travelling from Calgary to Iowa via Winnipeg, you'll probably need two full days of driving to accomplish it, with little time for stops.
BeaverFever @ Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:14 pm
Nice catch. Cgy to Wpg is about 16 hrs of road time.
Canadian_Mind @ Mon Apr 01, 2013 10:44 pm
I did Winnipeg to Calgary in one day. Was quite the drive, and I wish I gave myself 2 days just so I could take my time.
Might be a bit of a tease this trip, but I'd suggest going a few hours west of Kamloops. Make a day trip to Lytton and back. Follow the #1 to Cache Creek, then south to Lytton. The Thompson and Fraser Rivers meeting up is an interesting site. Then take the 12 up to Lilloet, then the 99 east to 97 (which will take you back to Kamloops). It is quite the drive. I've done it twice in either direction. ![[B-o]](./images/smilies/drinkup.gif "Drink up")
pineywoodslim @ Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:22 am
Thanks again for your responses.
BeaverFever BeaverFever:
ancient grain elevators, dusty farm towns, mennonites in horse and buggy.
Sounds like Iowa.
Jonny_C Jonny_C:
pineywoodslim pineywoodslim:
Two weeks from Spokane WA to back home.
In other words, about 12 days in the Rockies, and 2 days from Calgary back to Iowa.
In other words, about 12 days in the Rockies, and 2 days from Calgary back to Iowa.
Just a word of advice. If you're travelling from Calgary to Iowa via Winnipeg, you'll probably need two full days of driving to accomplish it, with little time for stops.
I should have clarified--2 days from Calgary to Winnipeg, then a day back to Iowa.
bootlegga @ Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:41 am
If you're going as far north as Kamloops, I'd suggest taking Hwy 5 north to Jasper.
That will allow you to stop at Wells Gray Provincial Park - home to Helmecken Falls, Canada's fourth tallest (and a dozen or so other waterfalls as well). 
The viewing point for Helmecken is only a short walk from the parking lot, although there is also a back country hike that allows you to get much closer.
Then after you spend some time in Jasper, you can take the Icefields Parkway back south through Lake Louise and Banff/Canmore, then continue on to Calgary and further east.
If you're taking hwy 93 in BC to head north to Kamloops - stop in Kimberley BC (about half an hour north on Cranbrook) and check out the Platz. It was built originally by German settlers and features a European feel. It has Canada's largest cuckoo clock, a German bakery and several German restaurants. It also has several great golf resorts and Marysville Falls right in town. 
fifeboy @ Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:49 am
As you are going along the Trans Canada through Saskatchewan, there are a number of great places to stop. As Dog mentioned, the Cypress hills, but there is also some "slightly off the highway places" worth the stop. The Great Sand Hills, Grasslands Nat. Park (Hard to get to), the area around Rock Glen, the Big Muddy, and the QuAppelle River Valley. Worth the side trips.
Jonny_C @ Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:17 pm
If you like old cars, the Manitoba Antique Auto Museum in Elkhorn is right next to the Trans-Canada (Wwy. 1).
I stopped there a number of years ago and really enjoyed it.
http://mbautomuseum.com/Tour.htm
When I was there a lot of the cars were in "used" condition, rather than showroom restored, but I found that just as interesting.
Yogi @ Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:26 pm
Unsound Unsound:
It may be a little too far out of your way, but if you have the time I highly recommend the drive from Banff to Jasper. Hwy 93, aka the Icefields Parkway, is absolutely spectacular.
Just watch out for crazy buggers on sport bikes
Just watch out for crazy buggers on sport bikes
And the furiners who think it is OK to just park right in the middle of the hiway and take pics!
A couple pics from our trip thru the aptly named Icefields last June. We may be heading back thru there again this coming June but will wait until closer to the end of the month.
Bike trip 6311 056.jpg [ 294.57 KiB | Viewed 162 times ]
Bike trip 6311 014.jpg [ 195.26 KiB | Viewed 164 times ]
pineywoodslim @ Fri Apr 05, 2013 2:15 pm
Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions.
bootlegga bootlegga:
If you're going as far north as Kamloops, I'd suggest taking Hwy 5 north to Jasper.
That will allow you to stop at Wells Gray Provincial Park - home to Helmecken Falls, Canada's fourth tallest (and a dozen or so other waterfalls as well).
The viewing point for Helmecken is only a short walk from the parking lot, although there is also a back country hike that allows you to get much closer.
Then after you spend some time in Jasper, you can take the Icefields Parkway back south through Lake Louise and Banff/Canmore, then continue on to Calgary and further east.
If you're taking hwy 93 in BC to head north to Kamloops - stop in Kimberley BC (about half an hour north on Cranbrook) and check out the Platz. It was built originally by German settlers and features a European feel. It has Canada's largest cuckoo clock, a German bakery and several German restaurants. It also has several great golf resorts and Marysville Falls right in town.
That will allow you to stop at Wells Gray Provincial Park - home to Helmecken Falls, Canada's fourth tallest (and a dozen or so other waterfalls as well).
The viewing point for Helmecken is only a short walk from the parking lot, although there is also a back country hike that allows you to get much closer.
Then after you spend some time in Jasper, you can take the Icefields Parkway back south through Lake Louise and Banff/Canmore, then continue on to Calgary and further east.
If you're taking hwy 93 in BC to head north to Kamloops - stop in Kimberley BC (about half an hour north on Cranbrook) and check out the Platz. It was built originally by German settlers and features a European feel. It has Canada's largest cuckoo clock, a German bakery and several German restaurants. It also has several great golf resorts and Marysville Falls right in town.
Thanks, Helmecken sounds like a good stop.
fifeboy fifeboy:
As you are going along the Trans Canada through Saskatchewan, there are a number of great places to stop. As Dog mentioned, the Cypress hills, but there is also some "slightly off the highway places" worth the stop. The Great Sand Hills, Grasslands Nat. Park (Hard to get to), the area around Rock Glen, the Big Muddy, and the QuAppelle River Valley. Worth the side trips.
Thanks. Did a google streetview of some of those areas. Subtle landscapes can be as scenic in their own way as dramatic mountains. Even in Iowa--considered flyover country/dull as dishwater--the gently rolling green land with cornfields, white barns, tidy little towns, and old farmhouses can be beautiful for a few months out of the year.
pineywoodslim @ Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:07 pm
Just got back from my 3 weeks trip--Montana, Idaho, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and home to Iowa.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I particularly appreciated the tip for the Icefields Parkway. 42 years ago I hitchhiked from Vancouver to Medicine Hat and thought that TCH 1 was the absolute best there was in scenery . . . . until I took the Parkway up to Jasper. Words don't do it justice.
With my trip through SK and MB, I have now been to every province.
Unsound @ Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:51 pm
Glad you enjoyed it. Really glad you enjoyed the parkway, one of my favorite places on earth.