At the end of August, we took an incredible and slightly impromptu roadtrip to Banff, Alberta and back. I’ve been wanting to explore more of British Columbia as I only remember bits and pieces from our roadtrips as a kid. My friend Evan and I took 5 nights and 6 days to do a round trip. Here is our journey in photo format.
Day 1: Vancouver to Salmon Arm via Trans-Canada Highway

Driving through (approximately) Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon

Fraser River

Fraser Canyon overlooking The Canadian Pacific Railway
Day 2: Salmon Arm to Banff via Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 93

We stopped for a morning coffee in Revelstoke near The Last Spike of the CPR. We made sure to visit the Railway Museum in Revelstoke.

Driving through the Rocky Mountains (still in BC)

Rogers Pass (at the visitor's centre)

Arrival in Banff
Day 3: Day trip to Columbia Icefields in Alberta via Highway 93

View from the hotel in Banff

Driving up the Icefields Parkway from Banff towards Jasper

Columbia Icefield (one of the eight glaciers)

At the visitor's centre of the Athabasca Glacier. In 1844 the Glacier covered the visitor's centre parking lot. It has been receeding since.

Marker showing where the Athabasca Glacier was in the year 2000

Lake Louise
Day 4: Banff to Osoyoos via Highway 95/93 and Crowsnest Highway

Kootenay National Park decimated by the pine beetle infestation

Driving into the Okanagan Valley
Day 5: Osoyoos to Vancouver via Highway 3

Dipped our toes into Okanagan Lake in Osoyoos before heading home
September 8, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Awesome! My mom is from right outside of Banff, and my aunt lives in Salmon Arm :) Both are such beautiful places!
September 9, 2011 at 7:17 am
Stunning photos. You look fabulous too!
September 10, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Totally jealous! So glad you had a good time, though.
September 14, 2011 at 7:38 am
Wow, those are some beautiful images! Looks like it was great fun!
September 20, 2011 at 4:46 am
Epic pictures, i did a similar trip back in 2004. How much are the average costs for guesthouses there right now?