What a spellbinding place the Canadian Rockies are, especially Banff National Park and neighboring Yoho and Kootenay. We didn’t make it as far north as Jasper during our 2,100 road trip, but we are already formulating plans to return there next year.

These images shot on a now-outdated Canon 5D Mark III. Before you go to Banff, buy yourself that camera you’ve been dreaming of as you’re going to need it!

In the ghost town of Garnet, Montana, on our way to night one in the Missoula KOA.

In the ghost town of Garnet, Montana, on our way to night one in the Missoula KOA.

Britnee explores the ghost town of Garnet, Montana, on our way to Missoula.

Britnee explores the ghost town of Garnet, Montana, on our way to Missoula.

Britnee enjoys a break on a nice bench in the ghost town of Garnet, Montana.

Britnee enjoys a break on a nice bench in the ghost town of Garnet, Montana.

The ghost town of Garnet, Montana.

The ghost town of Garnet, Montana.

Just across the Canadian border, we entered the Columbia River Valley in British Columbia.

Just across the Canadian border, we entered the Columbia River Valley in British Columbia.

The waterfall in Sinclair Canyon in Kootenay National Park just outside Radium Hot Springs.

The waterfall in Sinclair Canyon in Kootenay National Park just outside Radium Hot Springs.

Looking back at Radium Hot Springs from just inside Kootenay National Park.

Looking back at Radium Hot Springs from just inside Kootenay National Park, British Columbia.

A short evening walk in Kootenay National Park while we were staying in Radium Hot Springs.

A short evening walk in Kootenay National Park while we were staying in Radium Hot Springs.

Spectacular views of rugged mountains along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Spectacular views of rugged mountains along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Britnee stands on the shore of Bow Lake in Banff National Park, Canada.

Britnee stands on the shore of Bow Lake in Banff National Park.

Britnee snaps a photo of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park. We walked higher than the crowded viewpoint and were rewarded with a quiet (but windy) spot to take in the view.

Britnee snaps a photo of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park. We walked higher than the crowded viewpoint and were rewarded with this quiet (but windy) spot to take in the view.

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park.

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park.

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park.

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park.

Sunset at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canada.

Sunset at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta.

The still waters of Lake Louise shortly after sunrise in Banff National Park, Canada.

The still waters of Lake Louise shortly after sunrise in Banff National Park.

Britnee stands for a photo in the morning light on the shore of Lake Louise shortly after sunrise in Banff National Park.

Britnee stands for a photo in the morning light on the shore of Lake Louise shortly after sunrise in Banff National Park.

Mark stands for a photo in the morning light on the shore of Lake Louise shortly after sunrise in Banff National Park.

Mark stands for a photo in the morning light on the shore of Lake Louise shortly after sunrise in Banff National Park.

Britnee waves Canadian flags while hiking to the viewpoint at the end of the Plain of the Six Glaciers.

Britnee waves Canadian flags while hiking to the viewpoint at the end of the Plain of the Six Glaciers.

A beautiful view of Lake Louise after a hike to the Plain of the Six Glaciers.

A beautiful view of Lake Louise after a hike to the Plain of the Six Glaciers. The color of the water would change throughout the day, from still and reflective in the early morning to a vibrant turquoise by midday.

A mama grizzly bear and her two cubs, which we observed from the top of the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

A mama grizzly bear and her two cubs, which we observed from the top of the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Once again, Britnee’s Nikon Coolpix with 30x zoom allowed us to snap wildlife photos from a great distance, as we had in Chile.

Mount Rundle towers above the town of Banff, Canada.

Mount Rundle towers above the town of Banff, Alberta.

The view of Banff and the surrounding mountains from the top of the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain.

The view of Banff and the surrounding mountains from atop of the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain.

The Canadian flag flies atop Sulphur Mountain.

The Canadian flag flies atop Sulphur Mountain.

The top of the Banff Gondola.

The top of the Banff Gondola.

The stunning view of endless mountains seen from the top of the Banff Gondola.

The stunning view of endless mountains seen from the top of the Banff Gondola. Notice the needle spire on the ride side of the prominent center tower.

Britnee walks the trail at the top of Sulphur Mountain after taking the Banff Gondola up to enjoy the spectacular views.

Britnee walks the trail at the top of Sulphur Mountain after taking the Banff Gondola up to enjoy the spectacular views.

Britnee fulfilling a dream of canoeing on Lake Louise in Banff National Park.

Britnee fulfilling a dream of canoeing on Lake Louise in Banff National Park.

Glad we drove out to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.

Glad we drove out to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. The water here was even more stunning than Lake Louise!

Taking a hike around Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.

Taking a hike around Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.

Stunning Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.

Stunning Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park.

Stunning Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.

Stunning Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.

Check out our next stop on the road trip back in the U.S. — North American Indian Days on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana.

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