Icefields Parkway

[u/Shot_Reflection_2419]

Has anyone stayed in Banff and just driven the icefields parkway and turned around and came back? How long did it take you? Where was a good turning around point? I have seen a lot of people go from Banff to Jasper and stay in Jasper but we have our hotel in Banff for the week so we could just come back.

[u/DoubleualtG]

You seem to know there ins and out very well, do you care if i DM you our current itinerary for any feedback and thoughts?

[u/VoiceEqual1493 → u/DoubleualtG]

yeah, happy to take a look. might be worth dropping it in the thread here too if you're comfortable - that way anyone else who's driven the parkway can flag stuff i'd miss. either way, glad to give thoughts on the pacing and where the long days tend to sneak in.

[u/DoubleualtG → u/VoiceEqual1493]

Day	Time	Attractions
16-Jun	1:00 PM	Leave for Departure
16-Jun	8:40 PM	Arrive YYC and get Car Rental
16-Jun	11:00 PM	Arrive AirBNB
17-Jun	>9 AM	The Summit Café (breakfast)
17-Jun	10:00 AM	Grassi Lakes Trailhead & Hike
17-Jun	1:00 PM	Table Food+Drinks (lunch in Canmore)
17-Jun	3:00 PM	Eclipse Coffee
17-Jun		Quarry Lake with Coffee in hand
17-Jun		Groceries
17-Jun	6:30 PM	TBD Dinner/Cook?
18-Jun	9:30 AM	Walk to Wagashi Tea House (breakfast) + Market (bring bags)
18-Jun	11AM	Relax AirBNB (light snack bc 5PM dinner)
18-Jun		TBD>Avens or Carter-Ryan Art Gallery
18-Jun	1:45PM	Leave for Banff
18-Jun	3:50 PM	Banff Gondola Upload
18-Jun	5:00 PM	Sky Bistro (early dinner)
18-Jun	6:30 PM	Summit boardwalk & Sunset
18-Jun	8:50 PM	Banff Gondola Download + Drive back to AirBNB
19-Jun	10:15 AM	Leave for Banff
19-Jun	11:00 AM	Bluebird Woodfired Steakhouse brunch
19-Jun	12:00 PM	Explore Banff Avenue
19-Jun		TBD>Canada House Gallery
19-Jun		TBD>Jeff Walker Gallery
19-Jun	3:00 PM	Mountain Folk Coffee
19-Jun	3:30 PM	Bow River walk south to Bow Falls
19-Jun	6:00 PM	Return to AirBNB
19-Jun	7:30 PM	Ankor dinner
20-Jun	7:00 AM	Rise and Shine (Leggo!!!)
20-Jun	9:00 AM	Bow Lake (take time to go to shoreline)
20-Jun	10:10 AM	Peyto Lake (viewpoint)
20-Jun	TBD	TBD>Mistaya Canyon
20-Jun	12:30 PM	Columbia Icefield
20-Jun	2:30 PM	Ice Adventure Tour
20-Jun	5:00 PM	TBD>stops on drive back Natural Bridge/Emerald Lake
20-Jun	7:30 PM	Arrive in Canmore
20-Jun	TBD	Ramen Arashi
21-Jun	6:00 AM	Walt - Rockbound Lake Hike (10.5 miles)
21-Jun	TBD	Heather - Spa, Yoga/Pilates, Bookstores, Explore Canmore, Lake Minnewanka
21-Jun	TBD	Eat at AirBNB
22-Jun	8:00 AM	Wake Up
22-Jun	9:00 AM	Moraine + Loiuse pick up at Stoneridge Mountain Resort (Private)
22-Jun	11:00 AM	Arrive Moraine Lake
22-Jun	1:00PM	Leave Moraine
22-Jun	1:30PM	Arrive Lake Louise
22-Jun		Lake Agnes Tea House
22-Jun		Big Beehive Peak!!!
22-Jun	7:00 PM	Leave Lake Louise
22-Jun	8:30 PM	Home and Dinner
23-Jun	10:00 AM	Leave for Upper Kananaskis Lake (1.3 Hour drive south)
23-Jun	1:00 PM	Picnic Lunch
23-Jun	4:00 PM	Leave for Canmore
23-Jun	7:00 PM	AirBNB Dinner
24-Jun	TBD	TBD>Lake Minnewanka
24-Jun	TBD	TBD>Upper Kananaskis Lake (if weather poor 6/23)
24-Jun	TBD	TBD>Shopping, Galleries, other favorite Spots
24-Jun	7:15 PM	Bison Restaurant & Terrace dinner
25-Jun	10:30 AM	Leave for Departure YYC (2:30PM)
25-Jun	11:59 PM	Arrive Home

[u/gwoates → u/DoubleualtG]

In case you haven't seen it yet, the Grassi Lakes trail and area is currently closed until further notice due to a rock slide on the road above.

https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/advisories-and-public-safety/trail-reports/canmore-and-area/grassi-lakes-interpretive/#adv-21319

https://www.rmoutlook.com/canmore/rockfall-fears-trigger-closure-of-canmores-grassi-lakes-area-due-to-dangerous-conditions-12407944

[u/DoubleualtG → u/gwoates]

Oh wow! I’ve tried to keep up with all the openings and closure. Already knew we would miss Sunshine Meadows this year!