Inside the Calgary city limits the roads were wet, but once we reached COP (Calgary Olympic Park) in the outskirts the higher areas were dusted with snow. Along the Trans-Canada the fog/cloud was thick & the fields were caked in fresh snow. We wondered whether we'd left the Canadian leg of the trip a bit late in the year.
Oddly, as we drew closer to the mountains, the fog started to clear. Maybe there was hope. We made a pit stop at our favourite Muffin (and coffee) shop in Canmore (below). The muffins are the best if they have the right ones on the day. No luck that day (just the heavy chaffy bran muffins). 
By the time we reached the Banff National park gate, it was apparent there'd been a solid dump of snow overnight.
Through the breaks in the cloud we could see the high peaks were caked in snow. They are so much more interesting that way. In summer they are dull grey & dusty. 
It would appear that the construction crew on the Trans-Canada had made some progress since our last visit two years ago. The animal crossings (below) had increased from two to about 5 & the fencing alongside the highway was nearly the entire distance from Banff to Lake Louise. It's all about protecting the park animals from the crazy drivers. 
The initial 70 kms of the Icefields Parkway were shrouded in cloud & the roads lined with snow. We didn't even stop at a couple of our favourite lakes (Bow & Peyto) because of the conditions.
All the way along, the trees had a beautiful frosting of snow.
We arrived in Jasper late afternoon where we met Shawn (our friend from Grande Prairie). A few ales & dinner later it was time to turn in for the night. The stars were out, the sky clear & the temperature had already plummeted down around the zero mark. It was a sign of what was to come the next day.
Through the breaks in the cloud we could see the high peaks were caked in snow. They are so much more interesting that way. In summer they are dull grey & dusty. It would appear that the construction crew on the Trans-Canada had made some progress since our last visit two years ago. The animal crossings (below) had increased from two to about 5 & the fencing alongside the highway was nearly the entire distance from Banff to Lake Louise. It's all about protecting the park animals from the crazy drivers. The initial 70 kms of the Icefields Parkway were shrouded in cloud & the roads lined with snow. We didn't even stop at a couple of our favourite lakes (Bow & Peyto) because of the conditions.All the way along, the trees had a beautiful frosting of snow.
The cloud cleared somewhat at Waterfowl Lake (below). The summit of Mt Cephren was obscured by cloud when we pulled up.
By the time we'd taken a few snaps, the cloud had lifted. The sun lit up the yellow leaves in the trees & the turquoise in the lake. Things were starting to look more promising.
Late September the berries are all ripe to entice the bears & other animals. Wild raspberries (below) are just as enticing to people (including me). They may not be as big as the farmed ones but are packed with flavour!
Sunwapta pass (near the Athabasca Glacier) was enveloped in cloud but as we continued north, the cloud broke up again. The white peaks & blue skies made for some nice photos.
By the time we'd taken a few snaps, the cloud had lifted. The sun lit up the yellow leaves in the trees & the turquoise in the lake. Things were starting to look more promising. Late September the berries are all ripe to entice the bears & other animals. Wild raspberries (below) are just as enticing to people (including me). They may not be as big as the farmed ones but are packed with flavour!Sunwapta pass (near the Athabasca Glacier) was enveloped in cloud but as we continued north, the cloud broke up again. The white peaks & blue skies made for some nice photos.