Canadian Rockies ’24

🚐 10 Days in the Canadian Rockies & BC: Van Life on a Budget, Grizzly Country, and Alpine Grinds

The Journey

Ten days, one rented campervan from Smile Campervans, and a strict mission to enjoy the Canadian Rockies to the maximum. We kicked things off by flying straight into Calgary, grabbing our four-wheeled motel, and heading straight for the classic turquoise waters of Lake Louise paired with a leg-burner up Beehive Peak. Day two meant trading alpine lakes for vertical rock on Mount Yamnusca—an absolute stellar trail with just enough chain sections to keep things spicy without needing a full rack of gear.

From there, we pushed toward the mind-blowing expanse of the Athabasca Glacier, a humbling reminder of how fast these ice giants are retreating, followed by a quick stop at the impossibly blue Peyto Lake on the return trip. After hitting up the scenic trails and gorgeous views around Emerald Lake over in Yoho National Park, we caught a major break: with Jasper closed due to fires, we pivoted hard west into Glacier National Park (BC) to climb to Illecillewaet Glacier. Best! Decision! Ever!.

Way fewer crowds, equally jaw-dropping peaks, and home to our absolute magnum opus of the trip: Perley Rock. That trail is no joke—steep, relentless, and currently sitting in bear country restriction zones requiring a minimum group size of 3 hikers. Let’s just say our lungs were burning, and our signature battle cry—“BOOOOBEEER!”—was echoing through the valley every single five minutes to keep any curious grizzlies at a respectful distance.

🦝 Wildlife Count

The Canadian backcountry delivered big time on the biodiversity front. Here are the standout spots from the field notes:

The Micro-Fauna & Flora: High-altitude moths (including Autographa species), alpine bumblebees, hoverflies, Indian Paintbrush, and Western Anemone dotting the rocky trails.

Avian Highlights: Spruce Grouse, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Loon, Common Merganser, Cedar Waxwing, Common Raven, Canada Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, Western Tanager, Dark-eyed Junco, Barn Swallow, American Robin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Three-toed Woodpecker, Spotted Sandpiper, Rock Wren, Varied Thrush, Pine Siskin, and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Mammal Heavyweights: Bighorn Sheep with massive curved horns, Hoary Marmot, Columbian Ground Squirrel, and Red Squirrels / chipmunks.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations65416

📷 Gear

• Conditions: Variable alpine weather, fast-and-light mountain hiking (left the heavy 600mm glass behind).
• Kit: Sony a6600, Sony FX30, Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS.

🔥 Hype Meter

8.5 / 10 — Van life budget hacks, epic scrambling on Yamnusca, and screaming “BOOOOBEEER” with the crew in the heart of Glacier National Park. Big cons: Banff & Lake Louise way too crowded, definitely places to avoid. Finding an economic bus to Lake Moraine totally impossible without spending $$$ for a 10-minute drive. Other than that, amazing trip. Highly recommended!

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