http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies I visited my brother in Calgary in 1999 and we did the drive through the mountains between Lake Louise and Jasper, and then again in 2004, when we stayed in Banff for a week. These photos are from those trips. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/11 lakes http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/11-Lake-Louise At Lake Louise is a trail up a mountain called Big Bee Hive, which gives a spectacular view of Chateau Lake Louise and the valley. Yes, I climbed up there, and it wasn't all that difficult. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/12 lakes hotels http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/12-Chateau-Lake-Louise The Chateau from ground level. It's a very nice hotel, but there are waaaay too many tourists running around all over. People not actually staying at the hotel, that is. Like me. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/14 lakes http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/14-Moraine-Lake This is the spectacular picture that you see everywhere, because everyone takes the same picture from the same spot. Moraine Lake is a fantastic blue colour because of the minerals in the glacial water. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/16 lakes http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/16-Emerald-Lake-Yoho-National-Park A beautiful lake with a trail that completely encompasses it, and an awesome-looking resort lodge. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/17 waterfalls http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/17-Takakkaw-Falls This is in Yoho National Park. It's a spectacular waterfall, the second-highest in Canada. The road to this location is extremely windy. It's the only time I've ever seen tour busses reverse up switchbacks because there's not enough room for them to make the turn. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/29 http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/29-Johnstons-Canyon Between Banff and Lake Louise on Hwy 1A (the scenic route) is Johnston's Canyon, which features a long boardwalk pegged mostly to the side of the canyon. It's a "don't-miss" experience for sure, in more ways than one. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/30 waterfalls http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/30-Natural-Bridge It's like some kind of natural bridge, but with treacherous gaps, slippery algae-covered sides, and raging whitewater underneath. It's perfectly safe to walk around on though, right? http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/32 http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/32-Icefields-Parkway The very picturesque drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is called Icefields Parkway, and for good reason. You'll see many many glaciers, and it passes by the infamous Columbia Icefield. http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/33 http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/33-Columbia-Icefield Of course everybody stops at Columbia Icefield. Where else do you get to take a bus out onto the surface of a glacier, and get out and walk around? http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/34 http://www.tripdiary.com/ian/rockies/34-Water-Natures-Rock-Carver It's amazing what rushing water can do to solid rock, given thousands of years.