Bucket List Moments


This trip was a big bucket list moment for all of us and it did not disappoint.


I had this trip planned like no other. Jake, Rob, Lauren and I flew into Calgary then drove to our lodging in Canmore. We spent four days doing as much hiking and sightseeing as possible. I think we had the best trip we could've asked for so I figured it would be cruel not to share.


This is Banff from our point of view.

Peyto Lake

1.5mi loop / easy / 275ft elevation gain



I think Peyto Lake might have been a unanimous favorite because we actually had to work for this one. The higher we climbed, the better everything got.


You'd be surprised how many moms you'll see pushing baby strollers around the Lake trails in Banff. It'll make you feel a little ridiculous with your bear spray, first aid kit, and backpack stuffed with supplies. The loop around Peyto Lake was no different. Especially when a bus packed with senior citizens all wearing name tags hopped off to join us at the lookout spot. No judgement, in fact, I hope that's me someday. But we figured if this hike is that easy then there must not be much else to it.


Boy, were we wrong. We took a quick picture at the lookout and then keep walking along the paved loop. When we saw a good opportunity we headed up into the mountains. It was a steep, rocky, uphill climb but every time we glanced over at the lake we were even more stunned. The view takes your breath away as you climb. It's quiet and peaceful. And as you hike further and further up you won't feel as dumb with your bear spray.

Nothing but smiles at the top

The lookout

The rocky hike upwards

Jake on Kodak 400 film

Lake Minnewanka

9.7mi / moderate / 1656ft elevation gain


Our last Lake of the trip caught us very off guard.


Not because we learned there's a secret flooded city underneath the water, or because the one lake I suggested we swim in was absolutely ice cold. What threw us off was how the whole lake gave off a big family 4th of July party feel. Every lake we had been to prior was full of hikers, photographers, and tourists. This lake was quite the opposite with big family gatherings, picnic tables, boats, canoes, and a upbeat summer vibe all around.


We took a long hike around the lake, found a good spot to climb down to the water, panicked when we all remembered that bears can swim, then blew up our floats anyway. We played some music, almost got hypothermia, then hiked back.


When you venture deep into the hike, some lakes, including this one, require you to be with a group of at least 4 people that you won't separate with. Otherwise you could be fined a hefty amount, or become bear meat. So be prepared!


This long 17.4mi lake is effortlessly beautiful, holds a ton of history, and would be a great place to bring your family for a daytrip or an icy swim if you're so inclined.

Twist and turns of the lake

Hiding the pain.

Rob & Lauren

Emerald Lake

3.2mi loop / easy / 400ft elevation gain



When I tell you this place deserves to be called Emerald Lake I mean that every time I took another glance at the water I was doing double takes and pulling on Jakes jacket to make him look too.


All I'm saying is that if I was the architect of Heaven I'd start with Emerald Lake as my blueprint.


When we arrived we were pretty beat and hungry after trying to shove as much into the days as we could.


Everyones mood flipped when we saw food. We were conveniently seated at a restaurant with a view so beautiful I didn't want to leave. We saw people paddle boarding and puppies jumping into the turquoise water for toys while we ate. I mean, come on.


We hiked around the wooded lake, taking our time, wading in or jumping off rocks into the water. We read some signs and learned that all the barren parts of the mountain are avalanche territory in the winter. I thought it couldn't get better than this until we reached our first bridge crossing. Everything opened up into this expansive mountain range view with a rushing creek flowing beneath us. My jaw dropped a few times on this trip and this spot was definitely one of them.


If I had to pick a favorite lake, this was it.

The creek

The happiest hikers

A quick dip

Cilantro Cafe - no this is not a green screen

Lake Louise

2.8mi out and back / easy / 354ft elevation gain



We didn't do the hike because we chickened out about the bears (this is a recurring theme). In our defense, they had a protective electric fence wrapping the Chateau Lake Louise and we decided that they knew something we didn't.


We ended up here one morning around 6am after a failed attempt to get into Lake Moraine and it definitely was a beautiful backup. Although, the ample parking was reflected by how crowded it was.


Sunrise is a wonderful time to be here. You can see the sun first glistening on the famous Mt. Victoria snowcapped glacier. Then watch as it spreads over Mt. Fairview to the left. It's a beautiful transition that brings people from all over the world to witness it.


If you want to hike here and somehow manage not to get spooked away by the hazard bear signs and electric fences, you're far braver than we are.

The sun hitting Mt. Fairview

6:09am

6:24am

Moraine Lake

0.5mi out and back / easy / 32ft elevation gain



It took four attempts of waking up at increasingly earlier times and driving over an hour just to be ignored at the gate by some very stern guards. Until a kind, local waiter told us that during busy season we needed to be at the gate at 4am to get into this lake. I think I laughed out loud. But we took his advice and made our way in at 4am which was just in the nick of time. We took a brief nap then headed out into the darkness with our flashlights to climb up to the lookout.


The second best thing I can tell you other than to arrive insanely early is that they keep a life sized bear statue at the beginning of the walkway. Which of course didn't scare me at all in the dark but for those of you who may be a little more timid...


We spent three hours at the brisk lookout waiting for the sun to rise over the water then we hiked around a bit afterward. The trail is full of beautiful creeks and little lesser known lookout spots.


What's great about this coveted lake is that if you're able to get there early enough to get in, it means you're surrounded by only a few others who also did the early rise, chilly walk through the darkness, and long reflection by the water patiently waiting for the sun to rise.

Just before sunrise

Moraine Lake Lodge

Kayaks and sunlight on the mountain peaks

Herbert Lake

1 mi loop / easy / 137ft elevation gain



We had been driving for a while one early morning and needed a stretch break so we pulled off here and oh boy. We were very lucky to stumble upon this lake. The crystal clear reflections in the water were beautiful enough to make me wonder why there wasn't a soul to witness it but us. If you can't get into the most famous lakes in Banff I wouldn't worry. When you're surrounded by cameras and squeezing by other tourists it's easy to see that the nature around you is gorgeous simply by how many people it attracts. But there's something about being the only people sitting down and reflecting upon a breathtaking view that makes you realize how vast the earth is and how small you are. If you visit Banff I'd recommend finding a few of those moments among the others.

Jake on Kodak 400

a short hike

reflections

Honorable Mentions

Things in Banff that I loved too much not to mention



  • Sky Bistro - We took a short yet gorgeous gondola ride high above Banff and the views from the top were just as incredible as the food and service from this restaurant.
  • Policeman's Creek at sunset - This is a 2.6 mile scenic boardwalk trail in Canmore that's teeming with wildlife. Our lodging was right along the creek and were lucky enough to see a few young caribou walking through the water at sunset.
  • Beavertails - If you're a dessert person this one is for you
  • Bear Street Tavern - They serve their pizza with honey and chili oil and I still rave about it to this day
  • Stonewaters - I probably did 5 full laps around this store. It's a modern furniture/home decor/apparel/lifestyle store with beautiful design. A great place to stop for gifts. Located in Canmore.
  • Three Bears Brewery - Beautiful restaurant, great food.
  • The neighborhoods - Drive through the ritzy Banff and Canmore neighborhoods if you like looking at gorgeous, modern cabins and architecture
  • Old School Bus Ice Cream - I love any reason to stop for ice cream and this one was definitely a good one

Travel Gear

Some camera and travel gear I always bring with me




These are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.