Sulphur Skyline & Miette Hot Springs

Today we took on Sulphur Skyline, a spectacular high ridge over one of Jasper's more remote corners. The views from the top were 360 degree incredible!

It was an energetic scramble up to the 2050m summit but with not a cloud in the sky we both agreed it was our favourite hike so far.

We found a pretty good spot for lunch on the way down too...

Having made it back down we relaxed in Miette Hot Springs... And they were HOT! The water comes out of the earth at 56c and has to be cooled to 40c to make it bearable, still pretty warm after a long hike in the sun (even Mel said it was too hot!!!) 

Jasper - Icefields Parkway & Maligne Lake

Everywhere in Canada boasts they have the biggest, oldest or longest.... so when we read that the Icefields Parkway was the worlds most beautiful road we kept our expectations in check. This time the  accolade fits!!! Words don't really do it justice so here are some pics (it was like this for 244km):

We took some time over lunch to stretch our legs with a 2 hour hike up to a glacier tongue, climbing back down you can see the road winding through the mountains:

Our first day in Jasper NP; we headed for Maligne Lake. After a relaxed walk we caught a boat to Spirit Island, a spiritually significant location for Canada's First Nations (Native Indians).

Surrounded by mountains dripping with glaciers and on a bed of turquoise blue water the tiny outcrop of trees really did have a magical quality to it!

Lake Louise - Plain of Six Glaciers

It's was a wet one today! We travelled from Banff to Lake Louise and took on the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. Mel mentioned that we had not got as wet as the weather forecast predicted and guess what... The heavens opened! 

Still smiling it was a tough grind up through the terminal moraine to the trail end where, you guessed it, six glaciers spilled over the cliff tops. We sat and watched as several ice blocks crashed down the valley, Canada certainly makes a person feel small!

Banff - Biking and Hiking

We've been in Banff NP for two full days and we have packed in the activities. It started with a gentle but beautiful bike ride around the Bow River Valley trails, stunning weather and a really relaxing day.

Today we got up and caught the first gondola of the day up to Sulphur Mountain to take in the spectacular views of Banff as the early morning sun rays hit:

This afternoon we took on a beast of a walk - C-Level Cirque, it was very quiet and a bit steep in places but the views from the top were fantastic, we were in a rock amphitheatre which really produced a great echo (we only just had enough breath to discover this!)

Lake Moraine & Sentinel Pass

Another fantastic day: we drove to Lake Moraine and took on our biggest walk yet, Sentinel Pass. We hooked up with some Canadian locals as you have to walk in groups of 4 or more due to the fact we are deep in bear country! Happily we did not encounter any but had a lovely walk through forest to the highest trail pass in The Rockies.

A hard slog, but definitely worth it for the breathtaking views!

Dave in this photo shows the scale (no jokes about Dave and scale) don't worry Mum this was not as close as it looks :-)

Another out of this world colour in the lake:

Yoho NP - Emerald Lake and Takkakaw Falls

This will make you green with envy... today we visited Emerald Lake which is in Yoho National Park, it was one of the most beautiful places we've ever been. Check out the colour of the water in these pics:

We had a gentle stroll around the lake to relax after yesterday's rafting:

This afternoon we went to Takkakaw Falls... The road getting there (steep tight switchbacks) tested Dave's driving in the RV but the falls were worth the drama:

Finally back to our campground to catch up on the scrapbook, the camp wasn't too shabby either:

White Water Rafting the Kicking Horse River

Man did this river kick!!! 10 hours after the water had melted off the glacier we were rafting in it, it was COLD and the white water was BIG!!! A very exhilarating day, we got very wet and at times a little nervous but we had big smiles too.

I think Dave got the easy ride in this photo.... In fact he seems to be the only one not hanging on for dear life! Mel (if you can't see her) is sat opposite getting smashed by a white water rapid wave...

That wave just kept coming: by this time Mel was getting annihilated... but she still came out smiling :-)