Our Way to Celebrate 125th Birthday of Banff

Back in 1885 the park’s ‘ town’ was a stopping place along the brand new Canadian Pacific Railway called siding 29.  As visitors began discovering  the newly established park, services moved closer to the main attraction at the time – the mineral springs. The name “BANFF” comes from Banffshire, Scotland, the birthplace of one of the major financiers of the railway. Elevation 1384 m(4540′).

We took Trans-Canada Highway (#1), a fenced and divided through-way, to reach Minnewanka Loop: to Banff’s closest lakes: Cascade Ponds and Johnson Lake, one can see on our slide show below. It’s a great place to relax by the water, picnic, paddle, or put mountain bikes, hiking boots, cross-country skis or snowshoes to work.

It’s a popular place for families and social gatherings. Near the Johnson Lake we took 3 km (1 hr) trail around the lake for a lovely stroll, open all year-round. many photos here were taken and many activities.

The next stop was at the KEG to have refreshments and look around. The impressions were unforgettable!

Who said that there are no birch trees in Alberta? Here they are on photos taken during out trip to Banff, even there is Birch Avenue in Banff which hosts the log fort BUFFALO NATIONS MUSEUM across the Bow River for Aboriginal history, art and culture.

To the left and to the right are photos of front and back covers of the magazine “Parks Canada Mountain Guide 2010/2011” with the maps and our personal free admission ticket on that day.\

Watch  our slide show: “July 17, 2010 in Banff” :