This post is part of the ongoing “Ultimate Road Trip” series. To read more about the places visited or the experiences had, simply click on the post description below. Cheers!
Earlier this year, I finally checked-off a bucket-list item that I’ve been waiting for years to get to: The Northern Rocky Mountains. Consulting only a map (well, Google Maps), I concocted one of my patented overly-ambitious plans to do both the Canadian Rockies (“Part I”) and the American Northern Rockies (“Part II”) in a 5 night / 6 day epic road trip.
But did I pull it off? And would I recommend it?
Ultimate Road-trip Itineraries: 6 Days In The Northern Rockies
This itinerary was intentionally designed to take full advantage of the long summer days and so that no day had more than 5 hours driving. It was also designed to use and maximize redemptions through Marriott and IHG points and free nights.
The impetus for this road-trip was the 100 Year Anniversary of the Canadian National Parks. It all started with the free Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
Part I: The Canadian Rockies
Here’s the plan on a map. I would start in Calgary, drive up to Hinton, and then back south to end in Pincher Creek.
Part I Map: Start in Calgary, drive to Hinton, end in Pincher Creek
Part I: The basic itinerary
Day 1:
My Road trip began with an early morning flight – over Burning Man’s Black Rock City, Nevada – into Calgary, Canada.
I picked up a rental car at Enterprise at Calgary’s YYC Airport, and then set out on my epic road trip.
The first order was to explore Calgary. I’d only stay for one night in Calgary, so I wanted to make the most of my time there.
Day 2:
Day 2 was all about checking out the Lake Louise area and driving the Icefields Parkway.
Day 3:
The highlights of Day 3 included exploring a glacier and walking the Skywalk in Jasper National Park, capped off with a drive through Yoho National Park.
Day 4:
Day 4 was devoted to hiking. Stops included Fairmont Banff Springs, Johnston Canyon, and Marble Canyon.
Part II: The American Northern Rockies
The itinerary for Part II had me leaving Pincher Creek, AB, then crossing the border back to the United States. I’d visit start by visiting Waterton National Park and Glacier National Park and then end my epic road trip journey in Spokane, WA.
Part II Map: Start in Pincher Creek and end in Spokane.
The basic itinerary for Part II
Day 5:
The fifth day was plagued by forest fires on both sides of the border. Day 5 had me waking up in Canada, exploring the greater Glacier National Park area, and then driving to Kalispell, MT.
Day 6:
The final day was a leisurely drive to Spokane that included some truly great wildlife viewing.
Final Thoughts:Â Ultimate Road Trips: 6 Days In The Northern Rockies
So? Did I make it? Yes! Would I recommend it? Yes!
No matter where you travel in this world, somebody will always say, “you could spend three weeks in [insert “little town x” here]”. That may be true. But it’s also true that I really got to see and do most of the “big touristy items” on my list, and I got to do a bunch of great hikes and have some incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This part of North America is truly spectacular.
As this was my first trip to the Northern Rocky Mountains, I really wanted to get a lay of the land, and make sure I didn’t miss anything huge (like walking on the Columbia Icefield, hiking Johnston Canyon, or relaxing in the Banff Hot Springs pool).
I also wanted to note the places I needed to go back to and explore further at a later date (like backpacking in Glacier National Park, driving the Going-to-th-Sun road all the way through, and canoing Lake Louise). I love these lists because it gives me a reason to go back again one day.
The Bottom Line on the Ultimate Road Trips: 6 Days In The Northern Rockies?
A “Must-do”. Highly recommended!
Cheers!
