Calgary & Foothihlls

Canadian
Rockies

Calgary to Banff

Alberta is located north of Montana. First we flew from Jacksonville to Dallas and then it was another three and one half hour flight from Dallas to Calgary, Alberta. We arrived in the early afternoon, picked up our rental car, and headed off for the mountains.

Calgary sits on the western edge of the Great Plains where they meet the Rocky Mountains. As we head west on the Trans-Canada Highway, the mountains are clearly visible and we are deceived by their size, which makes them appear closer than they are. In reality, we have to drive about 50 miles before getting into the mountains and Banff National Park.
We arrived at the entrance to Banff National Park. Actually, there are three adjoining parks: Banff and Jasper National Parks border the eastern edge of the

continental divide in Alberta, stretching some 250 miles north from Banff. On the western edge of the continental divide is Yoho National Park which is located in the province of British Columbia. We have to purchase a park pass for our eleven day stay. Within the 250 miles of Banff and Jasper Parks,

there are only three towns: Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Our first stop is the southern most town, Banff.