It is hard to believe that we have been on the road for almost two weeks. It seems like not a lot of time but so much more at the same time.
We stuck to the plan and spent most of the first week laying around in hot springs and on beaches, trying to catch up on some sleep from a busy summer of prepping and planning. Slowly we are adjusting to life on the road, learning our new roles and working out the kinks. It seems like just now that our trip is really starting.
A few of the highlights so far are:
Fall is just around the corner which is the perfect time to go looking for a hot spring to relax in. The Nakusp area has a diverse range of options. If you like the convenience and ease of a well established facility there is Nakusp Hot Springs and Halcyon Hot Springs. If you like to save some money or are a little more adventurous the two natural options are Halfway Hot Springs and St. Leon Hot Springs. If you are leaning to the latter, please be respectful. If people continually abuse them access will be denied. Out of respect for the land owners and the locals we won’t provide you directions but a little online research will get you there.
During our past and present travels we have found that local knowledge usually leads us on our most memorable adventures. Whether it is asking a gas station attendant for a good restaurant or the waitress at a coffee shop for a good camp site, there is always an opportunity to gain insight about the area. On many occasions people have even approached us and by taking the time to have a conversation we have been directed to some amazing places, experienced astonishing generosity, and even made some friendships. Keep in mind that not all interactions with people provide the best results but generally people have good intentions and really want to help.
The drive into Waterton Lakes Provincial Park could be an opening scene of a Land Before Time or Jurassic Park movie. The rolling grassy hills make way to some of the oldest sedimentary rock formations found in the Canadian Rockies. Much different to the steep and jagged slopes found near Banff and Jasper.
A must-do hike in the park is the 18km round trip to Crypt Lake. As National Geographic put it, “This hike might just have it all: a boat accessed trailhead, four spectacular waterfalls, an ominous 60 foot tunnel through a mountain, and an end point at a beautiful lake.” We would add incredible scenery and views, of the above mentioned mountains, to that description.
Keep in mind there is a fee of $25 for the shuttle to Crypt landing. You should book that in advance, to avoid disappointment. This is a surprisingly busy hike, considering the difficulty level, so we would also suggest avoiding weekends (long weekends especially) to avoid the crowds.
We think it is important to take the time to learn about history and other cultures. The recommendation from a friend to stop at “Head-Smashed-In” turned out to be a good one. This UNESCO World Heritage Site provides a wealth of knowledge into the history of Blackfoot Culture & Bison. We suggest stopping if you are ever in Southern Alberta. The admission for an adult is $15.00 but if you head over to a Visitors Centre and pick up “Your Official Road Map of Alberta”, you will find a 2 for 1 coupon inside (not usable during July & August though!).
