Hi all,

I am leaving this Sunday for 13 days to Banff, Canada I have a question for those that live up in the Pacific/NW. We leave out this Sunday and plan on spending our first night in Redding California. My question now, do I head straight to Vancouver up the 5, then to Banff, or head to Banff cutting through Oregon and Idaho to Cranbrook Canada then to Banff???? I am open to suggestions. I plan on riding 6-7 hours a day. Any special towns/places to stay along the way? Just trying to maximize our time in Banff. Thanks for all the potential input.

 

If you read the news, a I-5 bridge was taken out out by an over-sized truck, near Mt Vernon WA. They are diverting traffic but it will be slow going. Also, I-5 is pretty congested and not at all fun or interesting from Olympia north to Everett. If you want to avoid freeways and take a fast route AND have an interesting ride, consider heading to Klamath Falls in Weed CA and take US97 to The Dalles OR. From there, you can continue on US97 through WA, all the way to BC or from The Dalles, head east on WA14 (or I-84) and head to the Tri-Cities, then to Spokane. From Spokane, I would continue north on US395 rather than going to Idaho, to Sandpoint (a lot of traffic) although this is the fastest way to Cranbrook, heading to Banff.

 

Thanks thats the route we were looking at doing as well. Hows the weather up there? Much snow on the ground?

 

Some snow in the mountains at higher elevation, but nothing to speak of

 

No snow on the ground, forecast is all clear. The mountains are white, loads of snow up high.

 

Zeus, so all should be ok road wise up to Banff?

 

Yea the roads are fine. Comon up, you'll enjoy the scenery. Hope you're planning a ride up to Jasper on the Icefields parkway. You can do a day trip from Banff.

 

Total novice about Banff, but just heard many many good things about it. The wife and I wanna go white water rafting (novice), any suggestions in Banff? We love steak, and suggestions? Thanks for any and all input.

 

Do you have a reservation in a hotel? Or where are you planning to stay? Maybe you're camping?

There are white water rafting trips leaving from the townsite of Banff. Pretty tame as far as white water goes. There are better trips in the Kananaskis area, which is about 45 minutes away.


If you don't have a fixed itinerary yet I could make some suggestions for you if you like.

 

Nope no reservation at all on the whole trip. We would like to be in Banff by the 5th of June and then about 4 days there before we start to head home. Ya any input as far as hotels or things to do would be greatly appreciated.....