I’m a big fan of the American Rockies, and have been hiking, camping and photographing in them for over 40 years. But until recently, my only visit to the Rockies north of the border was on a family vacation a long, long time ago. What I remember from that is there were far fewer people than on the U.S. side, and the mountains were just as beautiful. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to return. So when I got a call from Rene Bastien, owner of Highlight Photo Tours, last year to ask if I’d like to help teach a photography trip there, I didn’t hesitate to say “Absolutely!”
My brother Trent, in back, paddling across a lake in the Canadian Rockies with me in the mid-60s.
Fast forward to the end of May this year, and I was flying to Calgary, Canada to begin a new adventure with ten clients and Rene. Over the course of the following week we’d stay in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise, making day trips to various locations and hiking 3-6 miles each day, exploring one beautiful spot after another.
What struck me the most about my time there was not just the beauty, but the sheer length and breadth of the Canadian Rockies. From Calgary to Jasper is over 250 miles, along the Trans-Canada Highway, and for most of that distance you’re bracketed on both sides by mountains.
This map of our trip, using GPS logs collected on my iPhone using myTracks, shows how the Trans-Canada Highway goes right through the heart of the Rockies.
Returning home at the end of the week, you know what I wanted to do? Return again. Luckily, Rene is planning a second photo tour there for 2024, and already, I can’t wait. You can see why in the photos below. If you’d like to join me, drop me a note and I’ll let you know when Rene has the trip finalized.
We had some spectacular, though short-lived light upon arrival at Two Jack Lake on our first day. After about 20-minutes a storm blew in bringing rain, and we retreated to the bus. The weather cleared again by the time we got to our next stop. Nikon Z 6 converted to infrared, Aperture Priority, Preset white balance, ISO 125, 1/400 at f/11 in Matrix metering, +2.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 20mm.
I thought we might see some Bighorn Sheep, but was surprised at the amount of wildlife we did encounter. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 400, 1/1250 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 200mm.
Spring was late arriving to the area this year, so our hike to the Peyto Lake overlook was over packed snow. However, once we got there, all complaints vanished. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 1/400 at f/11 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
We visited the Columbia Icefield and even took a monster bus onto a glacier. There’s also a glass-bottomed observation platform you can walk out on, if heights don’t make you queasy. Nikon Z 6, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/200 at f/11 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
Surrounded by majestic views, it’s easy to miss the small details that also make worthy pictures. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/160 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 96mm.
Walking back to our rooms at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, David and I came across this fox. It was a challenge to make the shot look natural, as it watched us from the steps of one of the cabins before running off. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 1600, 1/320 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 200mm.
Stepping out of my room to join the group on a sunrise shoot, I saw the clouds over nearby Mildred Lake and detoured there for a short visit. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/60 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
A nice change from mountain landscapes, Maligne Canyon gave us an opportunity to create different types of photos, taking advantage of the narrow ravine, spring growth and shafts of light. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 160, 1/100 at f/8 in Matrix metering, -1.7 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 150mm.
Photos like this, also from Maligne Canyon, show why we carried tripods and neutral density filters on some hikes. That combination could be used to make blurry water photos. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 400, 13-seconds at f/8 in Matrix metering, -0.7 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 63mm.
For lunch one day we visited a small restaurant above Jasper with the help of the Skytram. It was a great way to see more of the area, including the resort where we were staying (on the lake at the middle right of the photo). Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 1/320 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 36mm.
One of our evening shoots was at Pyramid Lake, outside Jasper. A lovely location, it didn’t disappoint. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/80 at f/9 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 26mm.
One of the few photos I made that week with a person in it, this paddleboarder and his dog made a nice focal point in this scene of trees and reflections. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 640, 1/200 at f/6.3 in Matrix metering, -1.3 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 165mm.
We made a visit to the Valley of the Five Lakes for a morning photo walk, but this black bear, grazing near the parking lot, garnered most of our attention. We saw a couple of black bears during the trip, and even one grizzly (at a distance!). Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 500, 1/1250 at f/6.3 in multi-segment metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens at 200mm.
Staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise meant we were only a short walk from the shore. And thanks to the late spring, that meant we had some ice to work with. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 100, 1/80 at f/13 in Matrix metering, -0.3 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
Late spring or not, the daffodils outside our hotel were determined to make an appearance. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 1/125 at f/11 in Matrix metering, -1.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 21mm.
Natural Bridge turned out to be a natural place to use our tripods and neutral density filters. Nikon Z 9, Aperture Priority, Sunny white balance, ISO 64, 2.5 at f/8 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 17mm.
Lake Louise, mostly still covered in ice, was ane asy night shoot since it was just outside our hotel. Easy, that is, if you were willing to stay up late. This was taken a few minutes before midnight. Nikon Z 9, Manual exposure, Sunny white balance, ISO 3200, 60 at f/4 in Matrix metering, 0.0 EV, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens at 14mm.
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Makes me feel as if I was there. Oh wait…!
Always great spending time with you, Allyson. Hope we have a chance to connect again in the near future. Cheers!
Wonderful Images! The Canadian Rockies are glorious! Bienvenue a Canada!