Salmon Arm to Banff

From Salmon Arm we headed east to Revelstoke and then South into the Kootenays. We had to cross a lake and took the free 30min ferry ride across to the other side.

The guy in front of us was prepared for some rough conditions.

We spent the night in Rosebury Provincial Park alongside a raging river. Apart from one other camper we had the place to ourselves.

Our next stop was at Premier Lake Provincial Park in Skookumchuck. There were a few more people there but it was worth the bumpy gravel track in. The view across the lake in the morning was great.

After leaving the lake we stopped off at Lussier Hot Springs. The road to the springs was interesting, reminded me of some of the corrugated Aussie tracks we have been on. It was very narrow and steep and used by logging trucks.

It was worthwhile though as we had the place to ourselves.

The water in the pool was 43degC but the water in the river was much cooler!

It was so hot in the pool that my swimmers didn’t get wet!

The sign by the road didn’t work! 

The next part of our journey took us across the Kootenay Pass and at 1774mtrs it is one of the highest in Canada.

Driving through the park proper, we started seeing some of the locals:

A black bear by the side of the road. . .

 . . .and a bit further on a grizzly bear.

They are rather partial to dandelions (and tourists).

We haven’t seen any elk yet but there are plenty of warning notices about them.

The views driving through the park were splendid: