Way back to last August/September, Julie and I had the opportunity to roadtrip our way up to Banff National Park (which is just an hour and a half outside of Calgary) passing through Jackson, WY and the marvelous Grand Teton National Park on our way up and a quick pitstop at Crater Lake in Oregon on the way home.
The Tetons were stellar as usual, despite not seeing a single cloud during sunrise or sunset in all of days we were there (photographer problems). Seems par for the course for our visits there.
Our original itinerary had included four days in Glacier National Park, however after a bit of a car snafu en route from the Tetons to Glacier, we unfortunately had to skip that portion of the journey and instead vacationed for three days in beautiful Idaho Falls. Fun fact, Idaho Falls is home to the Idaho Falls Chukars, the single-A affiliate minor league baseball team of the Kansas City Royals.
Fortunately we were able to get back on the road and back in line with our itinerary. In hindsight, it might have been for the best we were forced to skip the Glacier portion since fires near Lake McDonald resulted in closures to the west side of the park as well as half of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Between the closures, concentration of visitors to the east side of the park on Labor Day, and just the amount of smoke in the air it wouldn’t have likely been the best time.
This being our first trip to Banff, naturally we’d have to see all the classic spots. Fortunately showing up before the sun rises and around dinner time dilutes the crowd quite a bit at both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The Banff area was visually spectacular and certainly worth a trip. We were gifted with a bit of cold rain while we were there which resulted in the first snow of the year in the mountains and a beautiful fresh dusting atop the Rocky Mountain range. Lake Louise was alright, but Lake Moraine certainly lived up to the hype.
But it wasn’t just about those iconic lakes, the whole area is absolutely stunning. Simply driving through on that portion of the Trans-Canada Hwy offers incredible vistas of the staggering formations of the Canadian Rockies. We only scratched the surface during our time there and are already looking forward to returning to the area and exploring further out than we did on this trip.
Anyway, enough blabbering on about, here’s where we went, what we saw, and bit of how it looked inbetween.
(Oh and if find yourself in the town of Banff and are a normal ice cream eating human being, I highly recommend you treat yourself to a visit to Cows (also applicable if find yourself in Whistler, Niagara Falls, or in the far eastern provinces of Canada) for some super rich and delicious ice cream and cow-related puns)
![The desert plains of eastern Nevada](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756796103-0LHPFBBZDPKZCDT3BL5M/TetonBanff01.jpg)
![Farmlands east of the Tetons](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756796685-HJIHP9T8K8RHDLGABVZ6/TetonBanff02.jpg)
![Teton Pass Sunset](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756797885-VZBZ73I0LRBKUVDGAX6F/TetonBanff03.jpg)
![Dawn blue hour at Mormon Row](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756798774-Y84ERD39AYX954MTYACH/TetonBanff04.jpg)
![Alpenglow on the Grand Teton, Mount Owen, and Teewinot](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756799858-8XBUYV27XDLSRPCXXBJ7/TetonBanff05.jpg)
![Sunrise at John Moulton�s Barn on Mormon Row](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756800894-5LR5UWIPHDX0V8A2THIE/TetonBanff06.jpg)
![Bison in roam beneath the Teton Range](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756801624-ZB82FF76F4K4XKDOB1GE/TetonBanff07.jpg)
![Moose at Schwabacher�s Landing](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756801868-97NJPMM48SY0YLJ23O7S/TetonBanff08.jpg)
![Young Bull Moose in the Grand Tetons](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756803535-NRFQ4CFBXSCR9XXELGB1/TetonBanff09.jpg)
![Young Bull Moose in the Grand Tetons](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756803638-B3KPCOT6LSCO1FU32INJ/TetonBanff10.jpg)
![Young Bull Moose in the Grand Tetons](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756804148-78F97C3YYK1IYL1LWA3H/TetonBanff11.jpg)
![Female (cow) moose at Schwabacher�s Landing](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756805176-OFB0J9LCQM9G6UXPH9YA/TetonBanff12.jpg)
![Moose at Schwabacher�s Landing, Grand Teton National Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756806249-QYH65A4JVAU3TEV0XZ97/TetonBanff13.jpg)
![Schwabacher's Landing Sunrise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561758360148-Z34C33G0UONBUSRPAA18/TetonBanff14.jpg)
![Schwabacher's Landing Sunrise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756809251-VLI7HN11MR2V2V57SW7L/TetonBanff16.jpg)
![Taggart Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756808810-GJYM7AFQ28SZG3M0K4E4/TetonBanff17.jpg)
![Taggart Lake Trail, Grand Teton National Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756811036-Y0QF60BL3LD8MBFEFAQ2/TetonBanff18.jpg)
![Golden Light on the birch trees
Photo by Trung Hoang Photography | www.trunghoangphotography.com | San Francisco Bay Area Photographer](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756810780-FJ3AYP12IEWJAD4O81GN/TetonBanff19.jpg)
![Sunrise light on the Tetons from the Snake River Overlook](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756811712-L0LRWFC3MPJY3QNWYGRC/TetonBanff20.jpg)
![Bison in the Grand Teton National Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756812166-YSKUSH1QL6D2SPN06JAQ/TetonBanff21.jpg)
![Idaho Falls Sunrise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1561756812298-D7WV6GXOHXTU44034LRM/TetonBanff22.jpg)
![Sunrise over the Bow River](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017499019-TLQ8Y0KPDVGN1BYODOO2/TetonBanff23.jpg)
![Elk in Canmore, Alberta](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017501423-WY5CN9E6LXTUCCDTLAO6/TetonBanff24.jpg)
![Mount Temple](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017502177-60Q28NPE2SFJHJ1MVL3D/TetonBanff25.jpg)
![Bow River Blue](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017506177-2AWHULRDLFGNCRDYHM1O/TetonBanff26.jpg)
![Sun rays upon Lake Louise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017504753-RPDI68VOTEF2TZUVCXH9/TetonBanff27.jpg)
![Setting sun on Mount Temple](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017509646-KWN7LWAXW56BADMV7M75/TetonBanff28.jpg)
![Clearing storm over Mount Temple](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017514487-MB116IQY8CIWP2HS59AK/TetonBanff29.jpg)
![Canadian Rockies](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017517707-WTTWLPINM3CAQJBLLO66/TetonBanff30.jpg)
![Castle Mountain](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017518325-Q7UNLJICUV6D83BQAV9Y/TetonBanff31.jpg)
![Castle Mountain](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017522423-JTV7OT079GLFFM5XH8PQ/TetonBanff32.jpg)
![Spotlight through the storm](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017522910-LCC1T3U2D1ZIWHJHGMJE/TetonBanff33.jpg)
![Falls inside Johnston Canyon](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017527466-KX5ZOL64UYW0XZFMQXQU/TetonBanff34.jpg)
![Mt Ishbel in Autumn](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017530298-IMPL6WNVC5LC9HBABNL3/TetonBanff35.jpg)
![Lake Louise, morning blue hour](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017538995-5JDQ8MX9JOKWWOLP5YMQ/TetonBanff36.jpg)
![Lake Louise Kayak Hut](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017539446-TXUTKFUBJRXU4YFMT2XD/TetonBanff37.jpg)
![Reflecting upon Lake Louise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017543961-XG3VU3TGS6DJW4BFW9SX/TetonBanff38.jpg)
![Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017543404-241KGRWLJ7KLBJ68MWP3/TetonBanff39.jpg)
![Tea House Hike from Lake Louise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017554204-A9XC0K8VAM21JIUU3IL1/TetonBanff40.jpg)
![Plain of Six Glaciers](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017553684-X1ZIW4H2HK7YZ8HUHFX1/TetonBanff41.jpg)
![Plain of Six Glaciers](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017563449-ETRIRXF1XS82VLH0E81G/TetonBanff42.jpg)
![Plain of Six Glaciers](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017556585-XPEYEGXHMAZ20T28UMFK/TetonBanff43.jpg)
![Lone Kayak](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017565818-WDOD7LZX1V7VN844A44B/TetonBanff44.jpg)
![Kayaks on Lake Louise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017567202-SYG9O9EZ85NLFW1HT4HE/TetonBanff45.jpg)
![Lake Louise Overlook](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017570690-2LXUGIWK96VZR6FW2WHV/TetonBanff46.jpg)
![Rocky Mountain Valley](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017571271-JLWTYA74P3CI7LVB1PHT/TetonBanff47.jpg)
![Reflecting on Foliage](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017581571-OSPYX3KNWH36E0HLNLKW/TetonBanff48.jpg)
![Pika by Lake Agnes](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017579581-ZCV81WUVXC86JVFBJ1PA/TetonBanff49.jpg)
![Sawback Range of Banff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017586207-G9CD15JJKYBBISLHYEKR/TetonBanff50.jpg)
![Sawback Range of Banff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017586673-K2Q70XDY9H13UQ5GXPAB/TetonBanff51.jpg)
![Sawback Range of Banff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017589799-6B0HZKVZ3IDMCUEW0FVZ/TetonBanff52.jpg)
![Sawback Range of Banff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017594932-8XQ92OBXJEL1NEVP8TBA/TetonBanff53.jpg)
![Tower of Babel](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017595969-XJT1MQYLI3VEOTM42GVM/TetonBanff54.jpg)
![Sunset at Moraine Lake](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017599874-R2CEBMN7L5MLY8RC0D0M/TetonBanff55.jpg)
![Sunset on the Canadian Rockies](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017600329-R8JHHKEB6ZBQIBQAFRXR/TetonBanff56.jpg)
![Sunset at Moraine Lake](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017604668-EE96FNPMJM7QE8HD7U6Z/TetonBanff57.jpg)
![Dusk at Moraine Lake](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017607897-IX3UMQSMQX7LF8SRXB6I/TetonBanff58.jpg)
![Sawback Range of Banff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017609496-OEEJ5JQ34Z9MVXBDKHXV/TetonBanff59.jpg)
![Sawback Range of Banff](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017615119-KQEZ28EQ3WU5KUDQPH0H/TetonBanff60.jpg)
![Rockies in Koontenay National Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017615126-UYUX2CIWUFQ9FF8YNFV0/TetonBanff61.jpg)
![Rockies in Koontenay National Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017634525-71W3UCARHTS0L36OT6HB/TetonBanff62.jpg)
![Degrees of Wildfires](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017634837-UZNE32KUDT333BH8LIBR/TetonBanff63.jpg)
![Path of wildfire destruction - Kootenay National Park](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017641722-2LTOKRBFG9LZ7SH1EF76/TetonBanff64.jpg)
![Mountain Pass](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017648408-YJDHET6VK5O6AHJ7FMWL/TetonBanff65.jpg)
![The other side](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017651023-T5O3Y8GGU5A9HN9X126I/TetonBanff66.jpg)
![Oregonian Grasslands](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017653005-C57CCOYM3DMP3574VFI7/TetonBanff67.jpg)
![Sunset Layers](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017655410-6Z7FXI1YO16FPYWQEVUB/TetonBanff68.jpg)
![Sunset at Crater Lake](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017656445-ZTKV7BNYCWJHMSLBY43L/TetonBanff69.jpg)
![Sunrise Rays](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017656910-JCNAEEGZLK62E0HQ6BPX/TetonBanff70.jpg)
![Breaking through the Clouds at Crater Lake](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5376f470e4b0e8c9b2adb2d4/1562017657792-YKFE52YJ0P1DJPK4604X/TetonBanff71.jpg)