A Banff Adventure in the Canadian Rockies

Our Banff adventure in the fall of 2024 was a small and intimate journey through the Canadian Rockies with a group of seven participants. Traveling together for nearly a week allowed us to experience the beauty of the mountains at a slower pace while forming meaningful connections along the way. From glacier views and turquoise lakes to late night Northern Lights sightings, each day brought a new landscape and a new shared experience. What made this trip special was not only the places we explored, but the community that formed as we explored them together.

We began with everyone finally joining together after a night in Calgary. From there we drove to our first hike at Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park. The September weather was perfect, and the trail led us through thick green forest with the sound of rushing water the entire way. Along the hike we saw two beautiful waterfalls before heading into downtown Banff for lunch on an outdoor patio. That evening we all gathered at Lake Minnewanka to watch the sunset together.Later that night we heard rumors that the KP index was high, which meant there was a strong chance of seeing the Northern Lights. We decided it was worth the adventure and left the hotel around 1:30 in the morning to search for them. Around 2:45 we caught our first glimpse. The lights continued appearing throughout the night, and we ended up staying out until about 4 in the morning watching them dance across the sky in a quiet rural area. It was one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip, and we finally made it back to the hotel around 5 a.m.

The next day we drove into Yoho National Park to explore. On the way we made an unexpected stop at Kicking Horse River where clear rushing water cut through the rocks. We climbed along the shoreline and took time to admire the scenery before continuing to Emerald Lake. The water there was unbelievably clear with a stunning mountain range surrounding it. We walked the paved trail together and stopped for a simple picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while sitting right along the lake.

From there we continued to Takakkaw Falls where a rainbow appeared in the mist of the massive waterfall. Some of us climbed up the rocky terrain to get a closer view. The incline was steep and slippery in places, but everyone helped each other along and the view made it worth the effort.

That night we shared dinner together in Canmore and spent time talking and getting to know one another better. When we walked out of the restaurant we were shocked to see the Northern Lights again, this time directly above the town. Even though we were exhausted, we decided to chase them once more and drove back to Lake Minnewanka to watch them above the mountain skyline before heading back to Canmore for some rest before the next day.

The following morning started with coffee and breakfast from Tim Hortons before heading to one of the most famous places in the park, Lake Louise. The lake was just as beautiful as everyone says. The turquoise water and surrounding mountains looked almost unreal. From there we hiked the Little Beehive trail up to the Lake Agnes Tea House where we sat together enjoying tea and small treats after the climb. Along the trail we also passed Lake Agnes and Mirror Lake, each one just as picturesque.

Later we took a shuttle to Moraine Lake, which quickly became one of our favorite places of the entire trip. The color of the water and the surrounding peaks were unlike anything we had seen before. We spent time exploring the shoreline, taking photos, and enjoying the scenery together. The area is known for bear activity so we stayed in groups and made sure not to wander alone. By the end of the day we had hiked between eight and ten miles.

The next morning began with breakfast at Rocky Mountain Bagel Company in Canmore, a popular local spot that quickly became a favorite of ours. Everything was fresh and many of us ordered maple flavored items. After breakfast we drove along rugged back roads to reach the Blackshale suspension bridge. Crossing the bridge pushed some of us out of our comfort zone because of the height, but it rewarded us with incredible views.

Along the drive we encountered a group of brown mountain goats standing right in the road and blocking traffic for a while. It felt like a true mountain moment. We also passed the Fairmont hotel sitting high in the hills which looked like something out of a storybook. Later we spent time exploring downtown Banff, browsing small shops, drinking coffee, and picking up souvenirs. That evening we relaxed at the Banff Upper Hot Springs to soothe our sore muscles after several long days of hiking.

The following morning we woke up early to make it to Emerald Lake before the crowds so we could kayak. The weather was cool and calm as the sun slowly warmed the water. Six of us paddled across the lake for about an hour surrounded by mountains and quiet forest.

By the sixth day the fatigue from a full week of adventure had started to catch up with us. We returned once again to Rocky Mountain Bagel Company for breakfast before beginning the day with a prayer together in the car, something we had done every morning of the trip. Our next stop was the Banff gondola where we rode up the mountain for sweeping views. It was hailing lightly when we arrived and the sky was cloudy, but as we reached the top the clouds began to clear. The temperature dropped significantly and there was snow on the walkways. We walked along the long boardwalk leading to the peak of Sulphur Mountain where we built a small snowman and named him Odisho.

Later that afternoon we had lunch at Sky Bistro before continuing the journey north. We stopped at Bow Lake where the mountains and glaciers stretched across the horizon. After lunch at a small nearby cafe we hiked up to Peyto Lake where the view completely stopped us in our tracks. The lake’s unique shape and brilliant color made it one of the most striking landscapes we had seen all week.

From there we continued north toward the Columbia Icefields to see the Athabasca Glacier. We boarded massive vehicles known as Ice Explorers which carried us out onto the glacier itself. There are only twenty three of these vehicles in the world and most are located in Canada. Standing on the ice and exploring the glacier for a short time was an incredible experience despite the cold temperatures.

Afterward we walked across the Glacier Skywalk, a glass platform extending out over the cliffside with nothing below but the valley floor. The glass structure can support an enormous amount of weight, which made the experience thrilling but safe.

That evening we finished the day with a special dinner at Altitude restaurant at the Icefields where we celebrated the week together.

Back in Calgary we spent our final night relaxing in the rooftop hot tub, sharing snacks, reflecting on the adventure, and appreciating the friendships formed throughout the trip. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable week exploring the beauty of Banff, Yoho, and the Canadian Rockies together.

By the end of the week we had hiked countless miles, kayaked across alpine water, stood on a glacier, and watched the sky light up with the Northern Lights more than once. Even more meaningful than the scenery were the friendships built through early mornings, long drives, shared meals, and moments of prayer and reflection throughout the trip. Adventures like this remind us how powerful it can be to step away from routine, travel together, and experience the beauty of the world as a community.