Last time we stayed there, we were out driving so late that we didn't get a chance to appreciate the place. This time around we decided to relax a bit and not try to cram so much into every day. We basically did a hike in the mornings and kicked back in the afternoons. The hotel has two pools and a spa. The outdoor pool is hot and is going to be great in winter after a hard day's snowboarding. It turned out to be pretty handy on sore hiker's legs as well.
Saturday's morning hike was Sundance Canyon, only a couple of kms from the centre of Banff. It is an asphalt bike path for most of the way and relatively flat compared to the previous day's adventure. Along the way the path runs alongside the Bow River and a marsh area. I couldn't help but take yet another reflection shot.
The weather forecast was for rain. I guess they got it wrong again! It turned out to be the best weather for the trip.
At the end of the 3.5 km walk along the bike path from Banff, we reached the Sundance Canyon circuit. The first kilometre of the circuit is the pick of the scenery climbing sharply through the main canyon, then along beside the creek. Eventually it turns on itself and leads to a lookout point (and I use "lookout" very loosely). It's a fairly average view of the Bow Valley.
Below is a bridge above the main canyon/falls. It was made more interesting with the morning sun coming through the trees reflecting off the mist.
