Western Alberta, the plains meet the Rockies
We crossed the Montana border and entered Alberta, Canada. Finally, we were in new territory, never having been in this Province before. (You can go to the Diary’s “Roads We Have Traveled” page to find links to our previous Canadian posts from Ontario and Quebec, to the Eastern Provinces and Newfoundland.) Crossing the border we also lost our Internet access. I had researched switching out the SIM card to a Bell card that would work on our iPad, but when it came time to do it they wanted a Canadian ID number for a credit check to get a month-to-month plan. We will be depending on McDonalds and Tim Hortons to provide our online access when we are in the Provincial and National Parks. We have gone without before. As long as the bills can get paid, we will survive.
Waterton National Park
Western Alberta is beautiful. The Great Plains turn into rolling plains and foothills as they approach the Rockies. The wind is crazy, it rarely stops. We spent a lot of time tightening down the canoe which kept being buffeted loose by the wind. We camped at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, near Pincher Creek. The lake was somewhat protected from the wind, the trout fishing was good and we were centrally located for excursions to Waterton National Park (on the Montana border, a continuation of Glacier National Park,) Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump (see post about that here,) and the Frank slide (in 1903 half a mountain fell down onto the mining town of Frank, killing close to 70 people and burying the town forever.) We had lots of wildlife encounters. Two mornings we had a bear wandering around the campsite. It made us glad we were not in a tent.
Beauvais Lake
The Frank Slide
We then headed west through Crowsnest Pass, across the Rockies, into British Columbia. We stopped in Fernie to pick up some groceries and were in awe at the views this alpine-like town enjoys. We stayed at Kikomun Provincial park, on the shores of Koocanusa Lake. Fishing was not as good as we had at Beauvais Lake, but the weather was warmer, the winds were gone and you couldn’t beat the scenery. We relaxed and enjoyed ourselves. Next we head north into the heart of the Canadian Rockies, and one of the high points of the trip, as we explore Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper National park.
Crowsnest Pass
Fernie, British Columbia
Koocanusa Lake
Red Road Diaries 
What beautiful photos! You just can’t get enough of those mountain scenes. Everything is so blue.
We’ll be looking forward to your trip. We are thinking of coming across Canada next spring when we return to the west. We have been to all the Maritime Provinces and Ontario. We would come across the Thousand Island Bridge in northern NY. and then travel across to BC. I thought it would fun to visit some of these towns I only know from hockey teams.
Enjoy your time!
I agree, really beautiful, breathtaking photos. I’m sure they aren’t the same as “being there.” Can’t wait to see Banff through your blog!!!!
In lake louise, jasper on thursday. one place prettier than the next. will post more pics now that i just found a place to get online. hope you are enjoying that florida summer…its 52 degrees right now and raining in lake louise
Are you heading to Alaska? Thank you for those beautiful pictures, Its a great reminder of our Alaskan summer as Canada has some spectacular sceneries on our way up.
we are sticking to alberta/BC and vancouver island then down the west coast…alaska is a place we want to do separately…so many places so little time
Welcome to Canada! The only time I went through the Crow’s Nest Pass was when I was moving to Vancouver from Winnipeg in March many years ago…. in a rusted bucket of a VW something. It was harrowing and I remember not much except relief when we finally made it to safer ground. I am sure I would enjoy it more during the summer in something less holly. Your pictures make me want to return just so I can get rid of the ones in my head. 🙂 How did you miss the torrential rains that are plaguing southern Alberta?
they must have fixed the roads because it wasn’t bad, except for the winds in alberta. we didn’t miss the rains, we sat through them for three days, nice and warm in our RV. roads were a mess but the one to lake louise and jasper, our next stops opened up. glad we weren’t going to calgary.
I’m glad you didn’t get swept away by the scenery. puny pun. 🙂
loving alberta and BC so far it has been one beautiful place after another
It is pretty much a ‘in-your-face-insanely-stunning’ kind of place. Even 20 years here it still bowls me over.
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