Calling Cannucks -- need Banff Info

“Some friends and I are planning a backpacking trip to Banff in September.

1. Will most of the tourists have dried up by then?

2. We wnat a 5-6 day loop hike. Any suggestions? Any good books to read?

Thanks you in advance to our friendly, brethren country.”

“1. nope
2. nope
quit sucking up to us, we are not friendly.


:)
ok, i'm just really really jealous. what a fantastic time of year to go. early or late September?”

“Go Yoho.

Hunt down the trip thread(s) for Hodge's trips and you'll get all the info. September should work OK - may be a little brisk....”

“OK will look but when I typed in Banff, I didn't really get much in the way of trips.”

“Try...
12 Days in Canada

Hodgeman's Page with trip report and photo links

I went with Hodgeman last September....we hiked in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.
(Really close to Banff)
It's a really beautiful area and the Larch are incredible that time of year!!!”

“http://www.hodgeman.ca/galleries/2003/yoho/content.htm

That's Hodge's photo index page from the '03 trip.

The trip report thread for that trip is here: http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/24758,-1.php”

“
Hodgeman said...
"It was summer last week"

September can be summer or winter...be prepared :)”

“Fabulous loop hike in Yoho National Park, which is close to Banff:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/426502901OoJfjM

Only do that hike if you like pristine waterfalls, rivers, lakes, glaciers, vistas, and wildflowers.”

“Phil's right. Other than that stuff, it's kinda boring....”

“Deets on the loop hikes? Anyone? I am lost...”

“I have narrowed it down to two hikes:

1. Sawback trail

2. Dolomite Creek, along Pipestone/Fish Lake/Molar Pass

Input anyone? Anyone? Hey, is this thing on??”

“I wanna go too.”

“Bump”

“Hmmm... surprised nobody emailed me about this one. I haven't really been staying up to date with TT lately.

Can't really help out on those last two choices that you've mentioned, as I haven't done either. Although that Dolomite Ck route is pretty highly rated.

I guess you've had a look at what Phil & WindWalked posted already, and I think if there was just one trip that I could never give up doing, it would have to be the Yoho one, or Mt Robson.

What week are you looking at coming up ?? How big is your group ??

As for books, the best to have would be Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies by Graeme Pole, and Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies by Cathy & Craig Copeland. The latter gives personal opinions of the hikes and for the most part, I would agree with their thoughts.

Fall can be very brief in the Rockies. Be prepared for winter ! Depending on which week and where you go, you may well get temps down to 10 degrees and snow.... or not. It's a total crap shoot from one day to the next. The good news is 'yes' most of the turons have moved on, and there's no bugs.

One thought about Assiniboine, Southern Banff and Kootenay parks for September, is that's where you will find the larch trees in their stunning fall colour.

Drop me an email if you get a plan together. At this point I am clear for the week of 16 to 22 and may well be heading up there. I'd hate to miss my favorite time of the year.”

“Hodge, I appreciate the info. We are going to do the Dolomite Creek trip. We'll meet in Calgary on Fri Aug 31, drive to Banff on Sat, and then hike in on Sunday 2 and out on Sat 8. There are four in my group (old buddies and we try to do an annual backpack together). Twood be great to meet up! I'll bring this thread back out as the date gets closer and see where you sit.

Also, do you carry bear spray? I will bring a bear can and be prepared for winter but I guess we'll also purchase a couple of bear sprays also, depending on bear activity reports.

Thanks!

RM”

“No problem.

Okay, it's a little more likely to still be summer at that time, but you should still be ready for some cool and even frosty nights. I have had wet morning snow below 5000' even in the first week of August.

And sorry to say that you'll still have the turons around through the Labour Day weekend at least. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to get away again that soon. I'll be up there until the 13th of August as it is.

Bear spray .... yup some folks carry it up here, but not me personally. I would not recommend that you try to bring it with you from the USA. You are not allowed to cross the border with it, nor would you likely be allowed to fly with it being a compressed gas. If you get some when you arrive, get Grizzly strength
;-)

Be sure to check the status of the trails you are planning. Some require a minimum 6 people right through griz season, or may even get closed if they are frequenting a particular area. I've only had this happen to me a couple of times, but it's worth checking before hand.

Also ... bear canisters are not 'required'. Many established sites have bear boxes or poles, otherwise hanging food is still allowed... ummm.... hang it high ;-) It really does need to be at least 15' on a good strong tree

I guess you probably have the Parks Canada web site already
http://www.parcscanada.gc.ca/index_e.asp
and they are pretty good about returning emails too.”

“I'll give you one more link here for visiting Canada
http://www.goingtocanada.gc.ca/NeW-Visiting_Canada-en.htm

By the way, you should be alright to enter Canada with the types of food you'll likely be packing. You could probably even bring your mad cow in prsonal quantities ;-) Just be sure to dump anything you have that contains beef or anything like it before you re-enter the USA”

“Thanks for the info, Hodge.

RE fishing, can I purchase a week license? Howr the trout up that way? this would be lure and bait casting...”

“Don't think I'd be the one to ask about fishing stuff.... sorry... not my thing”