Login

u/Autumn_Fern_

▲ 0 r/Banff+1 crossposts

Decision Paralysis Help for Banff and Surround Area Trip (Sept-Oct)

Hey everyone :) I am known to over plan hiking trips because I get overly excited about seeing and doing everything. I am planning an almost month long trip in Banff and the surrounding area with my significant other and our dog. I keep putting off booking places to stay because I'm unsure how long we'll be in each area and can't narrow stuff down.

I've already checked out the Best of Banff, etc type of Reddit posts, read a ton of blog posts from people online, and know bear safety. I also realize I won't be able to take my dog to certain areas. It's just there are so many AMAZING things to see and do in the area. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I am just keep putting "finish planning Canada trip" on my to do list, and I keep avoiding it because of how long the trip is an how many hikes I want to do.

Helpful information:

  1. I am worried about too many silly things. Like a). doing the prettiest stuff first and the rest of the trip being underwhelming. b). not going in the right order and missing out on the Larches. c). Not spending enough time in each area. d). Spending too much time in each area.... yeah... this is part of the problem. Also, again, I have planned plenty of one week and 1.5 week trips. But this is the first time I've been so overwhelmed that I completely stop planning and am freaking out.

  2. My significant other, dog, and I are all active and hike a decent amount. For example we have hiked Cathedral Rock in Arizona (not "hard" for people, but not rec for dogs), Cadillac Mt. in Acadia, etc. We want to overall stick to fewer "Hard" and super long or high elevation hikes, especially right after arriving in the area as to not overdo it on our trip. But we have done lots of hiking trips in the past and have good hiking boots and poles we're bringing along. Our dog also has her own backpack to carry her own food and poop bags :D Plus it has a handle on the top so we can pick her up if boulders, etc. are too high for her to jump to.

  3. We will have our own vehicle.

  4. We are not huge fans of crowds, but we also have no issue with getting up super early to get to the trails before others.

  5. Order of places to visit as of now: Canmore→ Banff → Jasper → Yoho → Kootenay→ Calgary.

  6. We want a stargazing night, and have these ideas for them:

  • Pyramid island, jasper lake, toe of the athabasca glacier, (or ease of access near Banff) Lake Minnewanka, Jack Lake, Vermillion Lakes

 

  1. Banff ideas:
  • Healy Pass to see larches
  • Icefields Parkway: Waterfowl Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Bow Lake, Mt. Jimmy Simpson Jr., Parker Ridge, Columbia Icefields, Tangle Creek Falls, Athabasca Falls
  • Lake Moraine
  • Larch Valley
  • Lake Louise
  • Pocaterra Ridge
  • Mt. Assiniboine
  • Taylor Lake?
  • Healy Pass
  • Sentinel Pass
  • Paradise Valley
  • Saddleback Pass
  • Arnica Lake
  • Taylor Lake
  • Skoki Lakes
  • PRIDE in Banff in October
  • Picnic at Two Jack Lake
  • Lake Minnewanka Cruise?
  • Rainy day option: Cave and Basin National Historic Site
  1. Yoho Ideas
  • Town of Field- Food at Truffle Pig, and Yoho NP Visitor Center 
  • Emerald Lake Loop
  • Lake O'Hara- but only via shuttle so idk about this with our dog. Hike Lake McArthur and Big Larches Loop
  • Takakkaw Falls Trail
  • Laughing Falls via Yoho Valley Trail
  • Wapta Lake for a picnic and hiking Wapta Falls
  • Sherbrooke Lake
  • Paget Lookout
  1. Canmore/Kananaskis

  1. I am on the fence about Jasper because of recent fires and lack of time, so I have done almost zero research on Jasper.

  2. Kootenay Ideas

  • omg. I am overwhelmed even adding this list to Reddit...
  • Whatever the heck you all recommend.

... I am just going to submit this and see what happens.
Thank you again in advance for any helpful input you have. :)

reddit.com
u/Autumn_Fern_ — 11 days ago