Post 2: Banff: Canyon, Cruise, and Captivating Landscape

Our time in Banff was a bit unusual because I was there to vacation and Keith was there to make final preparations for the Tour Divide Race. Thus, we did not do the popular attractions like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, or the Columbia Icefields ☹️Each day, Keith took training rides and spent time making adjustments to his bike and bikepacking gear, while I opted for some low-key exploration.

Stop to See a Friend

Keith and I headed to Banff from our home in Salt Lake City. We decided to split the nearly 1000-mile journey into two days, allowing us to stop in Montana to visit a friend. It worked out perfectly as we arrived at Randy’s house before dinner and were able to spend some time talking and catching up. Then we all went to dinner, and even though we didn’t want the evening to end, we opted to head to our hotel so we could get a good night's rest before another travel day. We were completely focused on our visit and didn't take any pictures to share 🙁

Arriving in Canada

The scenery was already impressive as we arrived at the Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets, located just outside of Banff. We were then able to walk to downtown Banff that first afternoon and were absolutely blown away by the mountain town. The quaint streets were lined with restaurants and shops, giving way to a backdrop of several prominent mountain peaks. It’s common for places to look unreal in photos, but this didn’t even look real in person! We were in awe and knew we’d need to plan a trip back soon to explore those popular sites we were going to miss.

Canmore and Grassi Lakes Hike

Keith planned a training ride to the nearby town of Canmore, so I chose the hike to Upper Grassi Lakes in hopes that we’d be able to meet up in town that afternoon.  The Upper Grassi Lakes hike was perfect for me since I hadn’t hiked much, if at all, this year. I tracked just over 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) and almost 600 feet (182 meters) of elevation gain. I took the more difficult way up and the easier route down. This allowed me to see both sides of the trail and challenge myself a bit with the steeper uphill. I worked on a steady pace with little to no stopping and was rewarded with one of the most amazing mountain lakes I’ve ever seen! The water was an amazing color, and I loved the pine trees surrounding the lake. Walking around the area had so many spots to take photos. It was super enjoyable to explore every little nook and cranny. It was a little busy, but with so many places to sit and enjoy the numerous views, it didn’t feel too crowded. I didn’t want to leave and found myself a seat in several different locations just to enjoy my time in nature.

There were a few shops in Canmore that I wanted to visit. I don’t often buy souvenirs or much of anything while traveling, but I do enjoy finding shops that feature local artisans. Canmore had a couple of the best shops I’ve ever been in. It was fun to explore the town and pop into the various shops.

As I was exploring town, Keith texted that he was nearby. As planned, we were able to meet for lunch at The Local and enjoyed more time in Canmore. I meant to visit the Canmore Engine Bridge while in town, but forgot, as I was looking forward to getting back to the room to shower after that hike. Luckily, we found ourselves in Canmore later in the week and were able to see the bridge together. The historic bridge is featured in HBO’s The Last of Us; therefore, it has gained worldwide recognition recently.

Johnston Canyon

On this day, I started my day at Whitebark Cafe in Banff. I was living my best life in this moment… a latte, a breakfast burrito, mountain views, and people watching! Keith rode his bike to meet me and then took off on a practice ride while I explored more of the downtown shops.

In the afternoon, we visited Johnston Canyon together. I guess we did do a couple of the popular activities in Banff! Johnston Canyon is known for its iconic suspended catwalks and waterfalls. Meandering along the catwalks was such a good experience. The rush of water below you drowned out the noise from the numerous other guests, which helped to lessen the crowded feeling of this attraction. We took our time enjoying as much as we could of the canyon and waterfalls. We did the Johnston Canyon Upper Falls Trail, 3.4 miles (5.4 kilometers) with about 900 feet (274 meters) of elevation gain.

Lake Minnewanka Cruise

The Lake Minnewanka Cruise was the perfect way to see Banff’s largest lake. The classic cruise lasts one hour and highlights the history of the lake as well as some local legends. Our guide did a wonderful job of teaching us interesting facts about the lake as well as some fun rumors. He informed us that until a couple of weeks ago, he’d tell a legend about a man who drove his car onto the ice in the winter to take photos. As the man was setting up his camera, he turned around, and the car was gone; it had fallen through the ice! After nearly 85 years of divers looking for evidence of this story, along with others, a car believed to be this vehicle was located! Our guide said he was eating breakfast one morning and heard this discovery on the local news. Sure enough, this was the same story he told while guiding the tours.

Tour Divide Start!

Friday, June 13, 2025, was a day Keith had dreamed about for almost two years, the start of the Tour Divide! This would be an experience of a lifetime as he attempted to ride his mountain bike over 2700 miles, unsupported, from Banff, AB (Canada) to Antelope Wells, NM (USA/Mexico border).

It was a surreal feeling for both of us at the starting line that morning. You could feel the excitement in the crisp mountain air, as well as a nervous energy for all the people (230+) who were starting the race and for the families/friends who were there to see them off.

As Keith’s “wave” was called to start the race, it was a mix of emotions. I was excited for his epic adventure, proud of his determination and hard work that got him here, nervous for his safety (bears, cars, weather, etc), and an unexpected emotion hit me almost immediately. Was it loneliness?  Not exactly, but just a feeling of knowing I’d be on my own and alone for several weeks. This wasn’t exactly true either; my mom would be flying in to meet me in two days. 😂 It's hard to describe the feeling, especially since I do like my alone time, but Keith and I are pretty much together 24/7, so this feeling of not knowing when we’d see each other again, hear each other's voice, etc., began to sink in and was different for me.

Upcoming Post

Next week, I head back to Montana on this summer road trip. I stop at Glacier National Park and hike the College M (Montana State) before my mom arrives to join the adventure!

Have you been to Banff? If so, what were your favorite areas or activities? I'm keeping a list for next time. Let us know in the comments section below.👇 💬