Washington & Alberta Canada Trip
June 8-14th 2018
Saturday June 9th, 2018
Sunrise 4:52am Spokane, WA, Sunset 8:43pm for Wall Walla, WA
Leave 4:30am for 1 hour south of Spokane, WA – Steptoe Butte State Park
Steptoe Butte State Park
Colfax, WA 99111
47.032304, -117.296883
Leave 6:30am for 44 minute drive to Kamiak Butte County Park, Palouse, WA 99161
46.869433, -117.154442
Leave 9am for 31 minutes from Kamiak Butte University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden
1200 W Palouse River Dr, Moscow, ID 83843
free and open dawn to dusk
McConnel Mansion – 110 S Adams St, Moscow, ID 83843
1:30pm Leave Moscow, ID
21 minutes to Artisans at the Dahmen Barn
419 N Pkwy, Uniontown, WA 99179
Leave 3 or 4pm
2 hour drive from Dahmen Barn to Palouse Falls State Park for sunset pictures
Arrive by 6pm
46.663805, -118.227356
https://www.photographerstrailnotes.com/palouse-falls-photographers-guide/
1 hour drive to Walla Walla, WA
Or 1 hour drive to Sacajawea State Park Interpretive Center, 2503 Sacajawea Park Rd, Pasco, WA 99301 which is the confluence of the snake and Columbia River then 1 hour to Walla Walla
Motel 6 Walla Walla – 305 North Second Avenue, Walla Walla , WA
Sunday, June 10th, 2018
Sunrise 5:02am for Walla Walla Sunset 9:37pm Mountain time for Glacier National Park
7 minutes to Bizarro X Tombstone – 2120 S. 2nd Ave., Walla Walla, WA enter cemetery off of S. 2nd St. Immediately turn right (Vine St.) Drive 100 yards. You’ll see the tombstone straight ahead, on the left.
Washington and Oregon State Signs 46.000709, -118.387383
7.5 hour drive to Montana State Capitol, 1301 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601
4.5 hour drive to Glacier National Park
Sunset Lake McDonald at Apgar Village 48.528594, -113.993318
Lake McDonald lodge 228 Lake McDonald Lodge Loop Road · Glacier National Park · Lake McDonald, MT 59921
Monday, June 11th, 2018
Sunrise 5:32am for Glacier National Park
Going to the sun Rd or go long route to Saint Mary Visitor Center if road is still closed – 48.746859, -113.438252
4.5 hours to Scotsman’s Hill – view of Calgary – 1901 Salisbury St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4K1, Canada 51.036470, -114.047136
12 minutes to Crescent Heights – 51.059516, -114.068461
1 hour to The Drake Inn – 909 Railway Avenue T1W1P3 Canmore Canada
Check into Hotel after 4pm
Park 51.076181, -115.336674The Three Sisters known as Hope, Charity and Faith quietly guard Canmore from their vantage point overlooking the Bow Valley. The best spot I’ve found to photograph them is by the Policeman Creek. To get there, park at the off leash dog park just past the helipad on the Bow Valley Trail.
71 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB go to 51.072930, -115.337220 for the photo
Cross the road and go under the train tracks whilst being super careful. Make sure the creek is on your left hand side as you’re following it along. Eventually it opens up and offers fantastic reflections of the Three Sisters and the chance to spot a beaver or two.
Tuesday, June 12th 2018
5:27am sunrise 9:58pm sunset for Banff, AB
Any day Banff Upper Hot Springs – 9am-11pm – 1 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
Two Jack lake for sunrise 51.230470, -115.497931
https://www.inafarawayland.com/best-photography-spots-canadian-rockies/
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – 111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada
1 hour to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise (2.5 hour drive from Hotel to Moraine Lake)
51.32823, -116.1818
The most popular shot is from the top of the rock pile overlooking the lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Known as the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this area offers hiking, paddling, and dramatic photographic opportunities. Best time to visit is before 11 am or after 5 pm. The road is closed between mid-October and mid-June. Parking is limited at Moraine Lake. Arrive before 9 am or after 6 pm.
Herbert Lake Parking
51.461636, -116.224063
Castle Mountain – 51.266430, -115.927727
Another easy roadside stop. It’s impossible to miss it when driving from Banff to Lake Louise. This distinct peak stands proudly on the right side around half way through between the two towns.
There is a wildlife gate right next to the river where you can photograph the reflections of the mountain. Make sure to keep it closed it if you plan on visiting the area.
From Castle Junction, turn left and go North on 1A to Morant’s Curve Famous train photos
51.399677, -116.128626
Extra time check out
In town Banff Surprise corner Scenic viewpoint overlooking the 1888 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel & Sulphur Mountain.
51.167153, -115.559044
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site 311 Cave Ave, Banff, AB T0L 0C0, Canada 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Near Banff the town
Hoodoo View Point – 51.189079, -115.521333
Lake Minnewanka — 51.249291, -115.496091
Lower Spiral Tunnel Scenic Viewpoint 51.431432, -116.402079 (20 minutes from lake Louise)
Arrive by 8pm Vermilion Lakes for sunset (5 minutes from the city of Banff)
Vermilion Lakes Rd
51.184056, -115.593859
5min west of Banff on the Vermilion road
Discover the important wetlands of Vermilion Lakes while enjoying wildlife viewing and bird watching.
Wednesday, June 13th, 2018
Sunrise 5:27am for Banff, Sunset 10:18pm for Jasper
Leave 5:30am 1 hour 20 minutes to Bow Lake Parking Area 51.673234, -116.449825
Leaving at 5:30 still allows 3 hours for time to hike and photos before cruise
10 minute drive to View of Peyto Lake Bow summit
51.716448, -116.506281
From the parking lot it is only a 20 minute hike to the viewing platform and this is the view you’ll be rewarded with.
2 hours to Sunwapta Falls 52.532925, -117.645621
17 minutes to Near Athabasca Falls turn around to look south to Mount Christie 52.653619, -117.874445
Should take about 5 hours to this point
2 hours to Maligne Lake for cruise 52.729606, -117.640622
Arrive by 3:40 Maligne Lake Premium Cruise 4pm
Option A
Leave Cruise 6:00 1 hour drive to Lake Annette Beach 52.923955, -118.095334
21 Minutes to Pyramid Lake / Island 52.923955, -118.095334
4.75 hour drive from Pyramid Lake to hotel 5063 Madsen Rd, V0A 1M0 Radium Hot Springs, Canada
Leave by 8pm from Pyramid Lake and I should get to the hotel by 1am
Option B
2 hours from Maligne Lake to Mount Robson Visitor Centre, BC-16, Mount Robson, BC V0E 2Z0, Canada
5.75 hours from Maligne Lake to Radium Chalet or 5.5 hours from Mount Robson Visitor Centre
5063 Madsen Rd, V0A 1M0 Radium Hot Springs, Canada – 778-527-5033
Thursday, June 14th, 2018
5.5 hour to Spokane International Airport from Radium Hot Springs
Need to leave by 9am local time to get to airport in time, 1:45 need to drop off car rental
Banff now parking updates – https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/parksnow?lat=51.183981&lng=-115.6130647&z=9&lang=en&siteId=100092