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lemonspeed
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Joined: June 20, 2011
Posts: 65
Location: Nelson BC
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 Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 2:28 pm Post subject: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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First of all , if you can find time to do a week in Banff and area ...DO IT !
We had a great time.
Lessons Learned-
1. don't eat out , everything is 25% more
2. check all lug nuts before the journey
3. dont install a light bar on bumper blocking lower radiator
4. be prepared for snow ( yes in june) and bring the lil buddy heater!
5. stay off the trans-canada hwy and explore the secondary roads....amazing
6. if you are staying more than 5 days ( recommended ) be ready to purchase a park pass for 1 year ( 140.00 CAD)
7. pre reserve ALL camping you require
Van ran very well and other than a lug missing and some cooling issues early on. We returned to the kootenays and went straight to davis creek to end off the trip....no matter where i go i always say home still has the best camping around!
More pic found on Instagram @overland_van
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
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61Scout
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Joined: November 06, 2011
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Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
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joetiger 
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Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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Headed that way in a couple of weeks, thanks for the tips and great photos.
One question, how do you like the Gowesty front door screens? Good, bad, otherwise?
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Noblecr
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Joined: September 14, 2011
Posts: 103
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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A national park pass bought this year is good for 2 years.
The icefield parkway us a must if anyone has the time....even just from Banff to Saskatchewan crossing....or take it all the way to Jasper!!
Enjoy your travels...its a beautiful area! ! |
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IdahoDoug
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Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10248
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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Second the Icefield Parkway to Jasper. When you get there, drop your kayak or canoe in the "no motorized boats" stunner of Lake Maligne and go see the eerie stalagmites reaching up out of the clear dark depths....
Really something up that highway for views. We started joking "Oh look honey, another achingly perfect mountain with green flanks, a hanging blue glacier on top, and a couple trout streams in the meadow below with a Moose eating there." Over and over....
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240Gordy
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Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 12:18 am Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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Yes the Icefields Parkway is stunning. See the glaciers before they are gone. Been there at least 30 times, going again on Friday. It never gets old. The traffic sure does though. Maligne Lake is also pretty amazing.
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lemonspeed
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2011
Posts: 65
Location: Nelson BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 9:23 am Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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| joetiger wrote: |
Headed that way in a couple of weeks, thanks for the tips and great photos.
One question, how do you like the Gowesty front door screens? Good, bad, otherwise? |
Be sure to do the Icefield Parkway ( we only hit the lower half ) ::: Ive been super happy with these GOWESTY screens , the tiptop doesn't have any mesh windows so with both open you have the bug security and decent air flow when sleeping!
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
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Location: Brookeville, MD
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bluebus86
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MidwestDrifter
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Joined: June 13, 2012
Posts: 769
Location: Kicking Around Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 10:04 am Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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It may in fact be the most scenic 150 mile stretch in north america. 
We drove it at the end of the season a few years back. Last week of September IIRC. It was not very busy and the weather was fantastic. Of course now I want to go back after reading this thread!
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Last edited by MidwestDrifter on Wed Jun 22, 2016 10:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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lemonspeed
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2011
Posts: 65
Location: Nelson BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 10:39 am Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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It sure could make an amazing meet up / vanagon trip in the future. Truly is the most scenic drive I've done in N. America and some of the best group camping you can find anywhere! The only thing we had wished for was a crew of vans with us to share the experience ....
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danfromsyr
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Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 11:20 am Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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it's easy set a date & location and have some decals made
I'd love to go but being on the east coast and work not allowing the time I'd require myself to be there.. sometime though.. I will explore the west as I have/am the east.. and this looks like a sure thing.
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32586
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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shadetreetim
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Joined: January 10, 2011
Posts: 1994
Location: Riverside, California
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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Looks like an incredible place to wander around. I'll need to put Banff on my bucket list.
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tjet
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Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 3533
Location: CA & NM
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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| lemonspeed wrote: |
| joetiger wrote: |
One question, how do you like the Gowesty front door screens? Good, bad, otherwise? |
Be sure to do the Icefield Parkway ( we only hit the lower half ) ::: Ive been super happy with these GOWESTY screens , the tiptop doesn't have any mesh windows so with both open you have the bug security and decent air flow when sleeping! |
Do you have a link for the screens?
| MidwestDrifter wrote: |
It may in fact be the most scenic 150 mile stretch in north america.
We drove it at the end of the season a few years back. Last week of September IIRC. It was not very busy and the weather was fantastic. Of course now I want to go back after reading this thread!
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thats an awesome pic. I have a new wallpaper now  |
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leathersmyth
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2012
Posts: 122
Location: Calgary,Alberta
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| Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2016 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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Have spent Many days/weeks/months exploring the whole area,
It is All beautiful area to explore. Helps only a couple hours from house so not To epic to pack up and head off to explore...
Might be Bias but pretty nice place to hang out....  |
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lemonspeed
Samba Member
Joined: June 20, 2011
Posts: 65
Location: Nelson BC
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| Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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| tjet wrote: |
| lemonspeed wrote: |
| joetiger wrote: |
One question, how do you like the Gowesty front door screens? Good, bad, otherwise? |
Be sure to do the Icefield Parkway ( we only hit the lower half ) ::: Ive been super happy with these GOWESTY screens , the tiptop doesn't have any mesh windows so with both open you have the bug security and decent air flow when sleeping! |
Do you have a link for the screens?
| MidwestDrifter wrote: |
It may in fact be the most scenic 150 mile stretch in north america.
We drove it at the end of the season a few years back. Last week of September IIRC. It was not very busy and the weather was fantastic. Of course now I want to go back after reading this thread!
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thats an awesome pic. I have a new wallpaper now |
GOWESTY LINK - Pretty happy with these ::http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=23551
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jackbombay
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Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2723
Location: Eastern Idaho
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| Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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| MidwestDrifter wrote: |
| It may in fact be the most scenic 150 mile stretch in north america. |
It may well be, stunning by anyone's standards.
I was through there a few weeks ago, some sun, but some clouds and rain too.
Couple pics from the Dolomite trail,
I did also ollie from a national park and landed in a completely different national park! 
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jimf909
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Joined: April 03, 2014
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Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2016 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: A few things Learned Tripping through Banff National Park |
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I just hiked the 9 mi trail from Goat Haunt, Glacier NP USA to Waterton NP Canada and at one point I straddled an international border! Crandell campground in Waterton is beautiful today with a number of vacant sites. Banff tomorrow (pics when there's a better connection).
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