PH93 through Kootenay National Park

July 7, 2007.

We are staying in the Tunnel Mountain National Park Campground in Banff, Alberta. Tunnel Mountain Campground offers full hookups, no hookups, and electricity only. We are in one of the $29.70 electricity only sites. I do not know what FHU or no hookups cost but they are all in the same area. All sites are paved.

Roadcut on PH93 entering Kootenay National Park from Radium Hot Springs

We left Radium Hot Springs this morning heading to Banff on PH 93 through Kootenay National Park. Immediately upon leaving Radium Hot Springs we entered the National Park then went through the "springs". From the "hot springs" the road passes through one of the most awesome roadcuts anywhere. One has to wonder why a road cut and not a tunnel. About the same time there is a sign warning about an 11% grade with no indication how long the grade is going to be. An 11% grade will get your attention especially if it is going to be 11% for very long. But for now it is back to negotiating these mind boggling road cuts.

Canadian Rockies in Kootenay National Park as seen from PH93

The Canadian Rocky Mountains in this area are comprised of limestone and shales deposited on an ancient sea bottom millions of years ago.

7% grade coming up on PH93 in the Canadian Rockies & Kootenay National Park

Seven percent grades like this were common throughout the journey on PH 93 from Radium Hot Springs to Banff.

Typical view in the Canadian Rockies, on PH93 & Kootenay National Park

At times we get a peak at the mountains we are threading our way through.

PH93 through the Canadian Rockies & Kootenay National Park

PH 93 in this section is a nice modern highway complete with guard rail. Notice the snow covered mountains we are passing.

Canadian Rockies, PH93 & Kootenay National Park

Just another 7% grade.

Canadian Rockies, PH93 & Kootenay National Park

We must have followed this valley for 30 to 40 miles with spectacular views of snow capped mountains every way we looked on PH93 in Kootenay Natonal Park.

Joyce is doing a good job taking these pictures out the front window of our motorhome.

Magnificent scenery along PH93 in Kootenay National Park & the Canadian Rockies

Shadows on the mountains along with the deep green of the conifer forest make every turn exciting.

Canadian Rockies, PH93 & Kootenay National Park

Some of that snow is actually deep glaciers that will not melt over the summer.

Steep grade signs on PH93 between Radium Hot Springs & Banff in the Canadian Rockies & Kootenay National Park

It isn't all up hill but most of it sure is. After all we have to climb to the Continental Divide on PH 93 in the Canadian Rockies.

We seem to be missing the uphill grade signs. Anyway, PH 93 through Kootenay National Park in the Canadian Rockies is a fun drive in our motorhome.