The first trail was a short walk to the hoodoo viewpoint. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what on Earth a hoodoo is. (Sure is fun to say, isn’t it?) We learned that hoodoos are rock formations that have been eroded into pillars. You can see a few towards the bottom of this photo:
Our next stop was Tunnel Mountain, a 2.7 mile/4.3 km hike with a 948 foot elevation gain. It took us about two hours. On the way to the top, the views just kept getting better and better, and we took pictures every chance we got.
There were beautiful mountains and valleys in every direction!
Mr. Handsome snapped a bunch of photos for painting inspiration.
Mr. Handsome also really enjoyed playing around with the panorama setting on his iPhone.
This is the first video we made on our trip. It’s a little shaky and poor quality, but I promise that the rest of the videos I will post from our trip will be clearer and more stable.
When we reached the top, we were both blown away by the breathtaking view of Banff Townsite and the surrounding mountains. We saw a teenage boy sitting on a rock engrossed in his smartphone, and it made us laugh. How could someone prefer technology over this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime view?
“The views are only going to get better from here,” I told Mr. Handsome excitedly. “No way,” he responded. “Surely this is going to be the best view we see on our entire trip.”
The views did end up getting better each day, making Tunnel Mountain a perfect first hike.
Here is another video I filmed at the peak:
Following our hike, we walked around Banff Townsite trying to find a reasonably priced place to eat. After much time spent looking at menus outside various restaurants, we finally settled on McDonald’s. I would never choose to eat at McDonald’s at home, but we were hungry and tired, so the food tasted great!
We stopped by Bow Falls, a very loud and fast-flowing waterfall below the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
And of course, we had to take the iconic picture at the end of Banff Avenue. Unfortunately, it was 10pm by that time and starting to get dark, so the photo didn’t turn out great.
Magnificent views thasnk you so much for sharing your delightful travels and experiences! Glory to God for everything He does, including this travel log, and all the beauty of life and love and sharing in His wonderful creation!
Amen! God is good.
Ellie
Looks gorgeous! How were the temps up there? I'll be going to the Smokies soon in Gatlinburg!
The weather was great! It was cool at night but in the 70s and low 80s during the day. Perfect hiking weather. What are you going to do in Gatlinburg?
Ellie
Oh my, what marvelous views!
We really enjoyed the views. 🙂
Ellie
I don't know how anyone can look at all that layering, upthrusting, and erosion, and believe it all took place in only the last 6000 years.
Well, I don't know how most people can afford to travel this much.
Have you ever looked into why people do believe that? It can be a quite interesting read!
Here's just a couple links if you're interested in checking it out:
https://answersingenesis.org/geology/arent-millions-of-years-required-for-geological-processes/
https://answersingenesis.org/geology/grand-canyon-facts/no-slow-and-gradual-erosion/
He's a dentist and they otherwise live frugally. Better to do it now before they have kids! Traveling is so much better than buying material possessions anyway!
We have chosen to ask for gift cards to places we want to visit over gifts as its all about experiences. We want our kids to see as much as they can . Great pictures.
That Answers in Genesis site is all wet. They want you to believe that geologists, biologists, paleontologists, chemists, astronomers, and physicists are all wrong. No way could that many disciplines get it all wrong, and some stone tablets, translated many different ways over the years, be the only things that are right.
God doesn't need years to create anything. He spoke the world into existence. The worldwide flood he sent during Noah's day made many changes to our topography in a very short period of time. Volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, etc. also change the landscape in a short period of time.
Your God, a Christian God?, is the one who created the world? How would you explain that to someone of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikhist, Shinto, or Muslim faith? Or even an atheist? There are more of those followers (put together) in the world than Christians. And it's their planet, too. Doesn't seem fair for one religion to claim creation rights for a whole planet.
So glad you are enjoying our beautiful province and seeing what God has created here. How can anyone doubt His presence in the face of all this magnificence. I have been visiting Banff, Jasper, the Icefields for over 50 years and never tire of its grandeur. I hope people were friendly and treated you well. Come back again! Eileen
We loved it. God's creation is breathtaking!
Ellie
Ellie! The picture were beautiful. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I've never been to Canada before.
Their is a show I watch that it's taped in Calgary Canada on the UP channel.
Hi Beth,
My pleasure. What show is that?
Ellie
Heartland
I've heard good things about that show. Haven't seen it yet, but it's on my list.
Ellie
I am Canadian, and never knew just how breath taking Canada is!!!! With the picture of the goat threw me, and that house with the red roof made me think it was in Switzerland!!!
What part of Canada do you live in, Justine?
Ellie
Abbotsford BC, close to Vancouver BC, and I LOVE MY COUNTRY!!!!
Very neat, Justine. 🙂
Ellie
The pictures show the true beauty of God's creation!! Glad that you got to share Alberta with Mr Handsome. Seems like a special vacation. Looking forward to more post about your adventures in Alberta.
Yes, they do! Glad you enjoyed the post, Shela.
Ellie
Beautiful scenery. It would be nice to live someplace where you could look out your window and see this whenever you wanted too. Thanks for sharing…Jane
Oh I know! I wonder if people who live in the mountains end up taking the scenery for granted though.
Ellie
Where are you off to this weekend?
Where in the world is Ellie San Diego?
Your questions sounds a bit "cockey" being that Ellie never mentioned she is planning a trip this weekend. What makes you think she is going anywhere?
I think you're reading "cocky" into it. It sounded like a plain old question to me.
What beautiful scenery! I love God's creation! Im glad you two were able to get away. We still hope to get over to the Grand Canyon.
Thanks, Regina. Yes, I love God's creation, too. Hope you make it to the Grand Canyon soon.
Ellie
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful pictures! A. Now I know where to visit in August! It is breath taking there
Are you planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies? August is the perfect time to go. In early July they were still some trails closed due to snow, but in August things will be much better.
Ellie