Alberta
Choose Your Pace: Hike the Canadian Rockies, Banff & Lake Louise
Program No. 5339RJ
Hike Banff and Yoho National Parks at your pace with experts as you learn about Lake Louise, giant glaciers, pioneer history and the impact humans have on these alpine environments.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
16 meals (
6B, 5L, 5D
)
6 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Canmore, AB
Meals:
D
Stay:
Coast Canmore Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
A Road Scholar group shuttle from Calgary airport departs at 3:30 p.m. local time. Approximate arrival in Canmore is 5:00 p.m. Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. for those arriving independently. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed by Company of Adventurers experts who will lead field trips and give lectures. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. We will have meals at the hotel, in the field, and at local restaurants. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Hike Sunshine Meadows in Banff National Park
Location:
Canmore, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Coast Canmore Hotel
Activity Note
Hiking mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft. elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft. elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft. elevation). Consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 26 miles one-way to trailhead, approximately half-hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
During our scenic motorcoach drive to the trailhead, our knowledgeable experts will present information about the history of Banff National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the harsh alpine environment of Sunshine Meadows, and the influence of the pine beetle in mountain environments. Upon our arrival, we’ll embark on a full day of interpretive hiking at Sunshine Meadows in Banff National Park. We’ll learn about the ecology of the Sunshine Meadows area, one of the premiere hiking areas in the Rockies. The meadows are famous for the summer wildflowers, magnificent lakes, and monumental mountain peaks. All of our experts travel at an easy-going but steady pace, with occasional breaks along the trail. The pace also reflects the relative speeds of the participants in the group, and won’t go faster than the slowest person. We try to keep it at a pace where folks are able to have conversations while they're walking. That speed will vary from group to group.
Lunch:
Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Coast Hotel.
Afternoon:
Continuation of morning hiking options at Sunshine Meadows. We’ll discuss the human impact on the park's delicate alpine environment, and learn what measures are being undertaken to balance human encroachment with park conservation.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Canmore.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Icefields Parkway
Location:
Canmore, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Coast Canmore Hotel
Activity Note
This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
Talks will cover the history of Canmore, names and stories of surrounding peaks, and history of mining in the Rocky Mountains as we travel up the Icefields Parkway for full day of interpretive hiking in the North end of Banff National Park. Considered one of the most beautiful drives in the country, you will have the opportunity to see a landscape vastly altered by glaciers, many of which are still present to this day. Learn about the ecoregions of the Park while hiking upward from one to the next, starting in the subalpine and ending up in the alpine region.
Lunch:
Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Coast Hotel
Afternoon:
Continuation of hiking options on the Icefields Parkway Examine the specific ecology of this area including native wildlife and their habitats.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Canmore.
Evening:
Free evening to explore the town of Canmore.
Day
4
Johnston Canyon, Banff, Bow Valley
Location:
Canmore, AB
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Coast Canmore Hotel
Activity Note
This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
Journey by coach up the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) while discussing the unique features of this montane ecosystem along the way. Explore the impact of wildfires, controlled burns and fire management efforts as strategies for protecting mountain wild lands. Learn about the stages of mountain building in the Canadian Rockies. Arriving in Johnston Canyon, morning hikes are enjoyed at your own pace as you learn about the geological timeline of the Canadian Rockies and the concept of differential erosion. Johnston Creek has carved down into the limestone on the valley bottom, creating a spectacular and deep canyon in a short period of time.
Lunch:
Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Coast Hotel
Afternoon:
En route via Banff, the guides will share their knowledge on the history of Banff townsite, and the Banff Springs Hotel. Enjoy some free time in Banff. Explore independently the "Castle of the Canadian Rockies" - the Banff Springs Hotel and/or the many museums, shops and cafes that line Banff's bustling main street. Gain an appreciation for original Canadian artists and the art history of Banff with a visit to the Whyte Museum, or one of the town's cutting-edge art galleries. Learn more about aboriginal heritage, culture and handcrafted antiquities with a visit to the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. Optional walk to Bow Falls.
Dinner:
Dinner on your own (at your own expense) in Canmore
Evening:
Evening to explore Canmore.
Day
5
Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake
Location:
Canmore, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Coast Canmore Hotel
Activity Note
This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today we will cross the Continental Divide on the motorcoach and head into British Columbia while learning about the famous Burgess Shale fossil beds (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), wildlife corridors in the Bow Valley, and history of the Canadian Pacific Railway. As we pass by them, we’ll learn about the remarkable Spiral Tunnels and witness the amazing engineering feats of early railway construction through high mountain passes. We will stop at a visitor center, which has interpretive displays on the tunnels and the area. Upon arrival, we’ll embark on a full day of interpretive hiking in Yoho National Park. Levels and groups as in previous days. Hiking destinations for the day include: Yoho Pass and Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Basin, and Emerald Lake circuit. Witness breathtaking views on all hikes and enjoy the lush and unique west-slope vegetation.
Lunch:
Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Coast Hotel.
Afternoon:
We will continue our interpretive hiking in Yoho National Park. Enjoy lakeside hikes along the jade-green waters of Emerald Lake and/or hike the trails of Emerald Basin. We’ll discuss the significance of the Burgess Shale Fossil beds in the surrounding mountain ranges, one of the largest, oldest, and best-preserved fossil beds in the world.
Dinner:
We’ll enjoy a unique dinner location at the historic Lake Louise Train Station restaurant. Some of the ingredients are grown on-site in the chef’s garden. The building is a treasure trove of historical photographs and early Canadian Pacific Railway memorabilia.
Evening:
A special stop will give us the opportunity to view the world-renowned Lake Louise, the Victoria Glacier, and the grand Chateau Lake Louise. We’ll have some time to explore the Chateau and lakeside panoramas independently. Our return to Canmore will be later than usual due to our dinner in Lake Louise; after arriving at the hotel, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure.
Day
6
Hike Moraine Lake & Ten Peaks Valley, Lake Louise & Chateau
Location:
Canmore, AB
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Coast Canmore Hotel
Activity Note
This is a very active program with daily hikes on mountain trails with varied terrain. Three levels of hiking options available. Mellow (3-4 miles; 150-850 ft elevation); Moderate: (5-6 miles; 1000-1700 ft elevation); Motivated: (7-9 miles; 1200-2400 ft elevation). In addition to the distances it is important to consider the amount of elevation gained and lost, the varied terrain, and starting elevation of hikes, ranging between 4,200-7,200 ft. Coach transfers to trailheads are 45 - 90 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today our topics of discussion include erosive powers and the shaping of the Canadian Rockies, current issues and future of our National Parks, and climbing culture (the Golden Age of Mountaineering). A full day of interpretive hiking at Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Levels and groups as in previous days. Begin your hiking expedition at turquoise-colored Moraine Lake, with close-up views of the Ten Peaks. Today's various destinations include secluded and picturesque Consolation Lake, the breathtaking Larch Valley trail, and the spectacular vistas of Sentinel Pass.
Lunch:
Hearty home-made trail lunch from the Coast Hotel.
Afternoon:
A continuation of interpretive hikes in the stunning Valley of the Ten Peaks area. We will discuss the subalpine and alpine ecoregions (as we move between the two), grizzly bear digs in the meadows, and larch trees. We’ll then return to the hotel in Canmore.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At the hotel, we’ll have a wrap-up session and say our farewells. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
7
Shuttle to Calgary, Program Concludes
Location:
Canmore, AB
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Group shuttle departs from Canmore en route to Calgary Airport at 8:30 a.m. Approximate arrival at Calgary Airport is between 10:00-10:30 a.m. To allow for unexpected weather, and/or traffic conditions, participants should book flights that are scheduled to depart in the early afternoon. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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