My 2021 Rocky Mountain Road Trip (AKA My Canadian Safari)

Last summer before I road tripped the Rockies, I was hesitant to go solo, it was during COVID, and I didn't know if I would get lonely or bored or feel unsafe (because, bears) by going alone. 

This year, I’ve decided this needs to be an annual tradition for myself! I would recommend a solo road trip to ANYONE, and this is a BEAUTIFUL, safe, action-packed place to do it. It’s such an amazing way to clear your head, recharge your soul, and you know, sing to Taylor Swift at the top of your lungs. And see some fake-looking mountains and lakes and maybe even some wildlife if you’re lucky ;) (I think you would have to be very unlucky to not at least see a deer).

Last year’s trip was so so amazing that I wanted to basically replicate that exact trip (check out my blog post here, which has more deets and first impressions!) and a part of me was a lil worried this year’s wouldn’t blow my mind as much since I’d already seen the major sights, but I NEEDN’T WORRY, IT WAS AMAZING AND IT’S GONNA CONTINUE TO BE AMAZING EVERY YEAR CAUSE THAT’S CANADA BAYBAY.

For my trip I was once again able to collaborate with Hostelling International (HI) Canada, which is SUCH a treat because their properties are ideally located everywhere I wanna stay in the Rocky Mountains, they have super cool vibes from off-the-grid rustic to lodge-in-the-woods, and it is so nice to know you can rely on their service and quality standards for every single stop. I would 100% recommend HI to anyone from solo backpackers to families, it’s an affordable way to travel the Rockies without sacrificing any comforts like a roof over your head.

If you would like to book with HI I would love you forever if you use my affiliate link here! (It doesn’t cost you anything extra but I get a teeny commission to fund my future adventures).

My itinerary was as follows:

• Night 1: HI Beauty Creek

• Nights 2-3: HI Jasper

• Night 4: HI Mount Edith Cavell

• Night 5: HI Lake Louise

• Nights 6-8: HI Banff

Okay let’s dive into the trip!

**Psst — I am currently having a FLASH SALE for my Adventurelust Trip Planning & On-Call Travel Buddy service for anyone who is looking to travel the Rockies this summer and wants a little help to make sure it’s as epic as can be!! Check it out!!**

Emerald Lake

Icefields Parkway

Night 1: HI Beauty Creek

After a looong drive day where I stopped at the gorg Emerald Lake before crossing the border into Alberta, my first night was off-the-grid along the Icefields Parkway at one of HI’s wilderness hostels called Beauty Creek.

The Icefields Parkway has got to be one of the most gorgeous roads in the world. It truly looks fake. Narnia for real. Mountains, lakes, glaciers, wildlife, different landscapes that just look like a freaking mural, i LOVELOVELOVE this road. It’s so nice to just cruise solo and stop wherever you please.

I stayed at HI Beauty Creek last year and specifically requested it again cause I love how peaceful it is right on the river. I meditated, read, stretched, and soaked in the peaceful vibes sans wi-fi. The perfect way to kick things off.

HI Beauty Creek sunset

Jasper

Nights 2-3: HI Jasper

Okay last time I enjoyed Jasper, this time I FELL IN LOVE with Jasper. I think i just started to wrap my head around exactly how many lakes are around and how most are such a pretty shade of turquoise. I don’t really know another place quite like Jasper. Most have a trail looping around so it’s nice to just go for a lil stroll in nature, you know? There are the main lakes, and then there’s the river, which I feel like no one even talks about cause there’s so many other spots but even that looks like Narnia.

A MUST-DO is go to Maligne Lake for sunrise. BOTH YEARS I HAVE SEEN MOOSE THERE. Last year I saw 5 on the road to the lake, this year I saw 2 swimming through the lake and it was freaking epic. True Canadian magic — I couldn’t believe my eyes. My wildlife horseshoe showed up to play.

I also LOVED the Valley of Five Lakes hike, it’s a pretty easy hour-ish stroll and the lakes are stunniinnnggg, so clear so turquoise. Loved Lake Annette which looks like the Caribbean and is warm enough for a swim, didn’t do Maligne Canyon this year but hiked up to Cabin Lake and just strolled around the town.

My fave part of Jasper was the wildlife — aside from the moose, there was a huge herd of elk chillin on the road and one grazing in HI’s backyard outside my window. I think the key for Jasper is to just go out for early morning drives and you have a very very good shot at seeing wildlife. I actually got that safari high while I was there, which is my fave feeling. So ya big Jasper fan!!

Icefields Parkway

Night 4: HI Mount Edith Cavell

This is one spot I visited last year so wasn’t sure if it would have the same effect, but DAMN THOSE MOUNTAINS. Seriously SO stunning, I don’t think I could ever get used to them. I went to see the glacier, then I hiked through the Meadows Trail which I’m convinced is one of the best all-around hikes in the.. world..?! got a sick insta photo if I do say so myself — wildflower szn, see below:

Then I checked into HI’s Edith Cavell wilderness hostel which is just 2 km from the glacier lookout point/trailhead. You can actually see the mountain from the hostel. How incredible is that? I spent the evening off the grid staring at that mountain, and woke up to it tinted pink. This is truly such a special spot.

Lake Louise

Night 5 - HI Lake Louise

After a beautiful morning of meandering back through the Icefields Parkway (sunrise-shimmering waterfalls, glacier-view benny. the usz. Check my Story Highlights on Insta!). I checked into my cozy forest-view room at HI Lake Louise, chilled out and caught up on Wi-Fi stuff, and then my friend Michele met me and we went to Lake Louise for a picnic for sunrise :) Didn’t get to spend as much time as I would’ve liked at this lake, I think it is my favourite but it was a bit smoky and I am a bit bitter that they now charge to park ($11.75 from 7am-7pm). The crowds are also SUCH a gong show so morning or evening are the only options really. It is so beautiful though and deserves every bit of its fame.

Woke up for sunrise at Moraine, which after this trip might just be my favourite (I did sunrise here twice on both trips). That lake is pure peace.

We then did my first ever 20km (in one day) hike through Paradise Valley, with stops at Annette Lake and then the Giant Steps waterfalls. Sooo pretty, and no bear encounters which is a plus!

Banff

Nights 6-9 - HI Banff

Banff was definitely the more social part of my trip (Jasper was pure me-time) and I got to catch up with friends Trixie, Britt (in Canmore) and Monish, went out for drinks every night, even went DaNcInG one night can you believe it?! It was so nice to feel semi-normal again.

I got an amazing opportunity to shoot biking content for HI, who are encouraging guests to explore Banff by bike, and this meant riding alllll around Banff in an ebike.. you guys.. I am OB SESSED. Obsessed with ebikes, especially obsessed with ebiking around Banff, what an incredible way to experience this incredible place. Banff is full of so many beautiful spots and ebiking allows you to cover so much more ground and see it all. We cruised past Vermillion Lakes, Bow Valley Parkway, along the river, past Bow Falls, to the golf course. We biked for 5 hours and I could’ve kept going! PS how cute is my pink ebike.

Went for food/drinks at Rose & Crown rooftop (the best rooftop views, and some yummy cheap white wine if I do say so myself), 3 Bears Brewery (amazing decor and vibe), got tipsy and made some new friends at Block, got Cows ice cream not once but twice. Canmore was soo cute too, Rocky Mountain Bagel Co is a must and it was nice to walk around Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk. 

My fave in Banff was driving to Two Jack Lake for sunset, because last year I saw a herd of elk along that road and this year I saw ANOTHER HERD OF ELK (same herd of elk?) IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT. So special to just chill there with them against the sunset. That lake is such a peaceful and beautiful spot as well.

Driving home I stopped again at Moraine for sunrise and to reflect on my trip and wrote a list of what I’m grateful for. Here it is:

⟡ grateful that canada is my home and i can always come back here

⟡ grateful i get to see my 2 favourite humans tomorrow

⟡ grateful my mom lent me her vehicle so i could do this road trip

⟡ grateful to have the flexibility as a freelancer and business owner to be able to hit the road like this

⟡ grateful to have been able to meet up with my friends i haven’t seen in awhile on this trip

⟡ grateful for my collaboration with @hicanadahostels to make this trip more doable and put the coziest roofs over my head

⟡ grateful that this rocky mountain road trip was just as breathtaking as last year’s

⟡ grateful for my body which took me all up down and around these mountains

⟡ grateful for long solo drives and me time which i defs needed

⟡ grateful for tay

⟡ grateful for all the love in my life

⟡ grateful i have another exciting trip coming up in just a few days

⟡ grateful for my wildlife horseshoe and that it came along on this trip

⟡ grateful for the safaris and my life back in south africa which i am so excited to get back to

⟡ grateful my parents are coming to visit me in cape town this year (i am the most excited for this!)

⟡ grateful/still in disbelief that my next international adventure is to the galapagos islands, on a trip that i am hosting, through my business @adventurelust.travel

⟡ grateful for this life

⟡ grateful to be free

thank you for following along and all your comments, messages, and support guys, i couldn’t do it without you. grateful for you! 🥰

Until next year! <3