Easter Long Weekend

Easter weekend promised four days without the burden of formal education so the decision was made to leave Nakusp and head for the hills. To the east of Nakusp lie the Selkirk Ranges and east of them the Purcell Mountains and east of them the Rockies. Our itinerary had us driving through all of these mountains to see the scenery British Columbia and western Alberta have become world renowned for.

It did not disappoint.

Golden Mountains, or more correctly, Mountains from Golden

Our first day was, appropriately enough, Good Friday and we travelled north to Revelstoke and then east along Highway one up into the mountain town of Golden. A short drive south of Golden late in the day revealed my FOY [first of year] Osprey and my first Kootenay record of Turkey Vulture plus magpies and the ever increasing spring flocks of Dark eyed Juncos.

Lake Louise

Clark's Nutcracker

Saturday saw the iconic Lake Louise, its turquoise waters frozen solid and covered in its winter coat of snow. Lake Louise, it must also be said, was further decorated with more than a sprinkling of tourists, all undeterred by the cool of the surrounds and all excitedly talking in their many tongues as they waded above the waters through the slushy snow.

Lake Louise Carpark

Birds were few but conspicuous; Grey Jays and their more gregarious and bold friends, Clark's Nutcrackers and a few not so silently circling Ravens. The scenery was beautiful, as expected.






On the outskirts of Banff were the Vermillion Lakes, another spot visited in 2009. Today beautiful waters remained largely beautiful ice yet Spring had started to make its mark even here high in the hills and areas of water were becoming more and more apparent.

Water / Ice / Snow fall in Banff

Vermillion Lake View

Vermillion Lake View

Banff followed and a visit to the waterfall and areas adjacent to the Banff Golf Course was made. My first Boreal Chickadees were enjoyed, as were a few feeding Varied Thrushes plus swarms of Juncos before the illmannered cries of my daughter Millie ended by brief birding excursion. Leaving Banff we headed further east to the underated town of Canmore.

The Fam

Sunday fulfilled its luke warm promise of Easter Egg delivery - we had warned the children that the Easter Bunny may not be able to find us deep in the mountains and perhaps eggs could be found back in our house in Nakusp or even Mapleton in Australia. Miraculously however the bunny had tracked us down and had evaded all of the Canadians with guns to whom a large Rabbit with a huge supply of chocolate would have been a trophy indeed.

above Canmore

Canmore, or more specifically the hills adjacent to Canmore provided more great scenery and the promise of a repeat summer visit.

Canmore view

Canmore view - the other way........

We then returned westwards via Banff and a slower route of 1A.

Sulphuy Summit View showing the Banff Golf Course in the centre

Another Sulphur Summit Panorama

Me and my missus Megan [photo by Tom]

 Sulphur Mountain is a large mountain close to Banff that has the great advantage of a cable car or Gondola ride to the summit. Here, at the summit there is a board walk of about a kilometre in length which allows some wonderful views of the surrounding Rockies and the valleys below, if the weather is right. Thankfully it was perfect. One employee claimed to me that it was the best day of the last three months. Not knowing the history i could only truthfully claim i could not have designed a better day to visit. The Gondola ride and the walk and the view was very much a highlight of our time in Canada thus far and it is to be recommended to all.

The slower drive along route 1A goes through the heart of Banff  National Park and boasts less traffic and more wildlife and the promise of some lovely little hikes albeit when the snow melts more.Here my family encountered their first Bighorn Sheep, sadly though no adult Rams.

Small horned Big Horn

View from Revelstoke picnic spot

Monday took us home via Revelstoke.