on the road: Kootenay and Yoho National Parks-Radium Hot Springs and Emerald Lake

We decided we needed to leave early from Tunnel Mountain and get another camping spot because it was the weekend and families by the dozens started arriving and the campground became a playground. Since Susan wanted to try the hot springs in Radium, we decided on Marble Canyon in Kootenay and to venture forth from there for various other spots we were interested in seeing. We got spots side by side and there was much more privacy here-in fact, only one other family in our loop.

This area of Kootenay was devasted by a huge fire in 2003. It was fascinating to see how healthy the forest was now. The tall, burned trees still stand like sentinels among all the new undergrowth.

The Radium Hot Springs was fairly typical of hot springs. There was one hot soaking pool and a colder swimming pool. It was a very hot day, so it wasn’t enjoyable to soak for long without jumping in the cold pool. Boo was not allowed in, so Jim and I took turns sitting with him at a lovely, shady overlook.

From Boo's perch

Can you spot David and I?

We tried to get up to Moraine Lake, which we had heard was just as nice as Lake Louise, but we were turned away, as there was no place left to park. We went to Emerald Lake instead, where we had a wonderful time. We found a delightful little (!) area at the water’s edge where we could set up our chairs and swim. The water was a little chilly, but, considering that this was a glacial lake, it wasn’t all that cold. We were mesmerized by the quality and color of the water. I have never felt quite so enveloped in bliss as I did floating in this beautiful water.

A hiking trail goes around the whole lake. Susan hiked the whole way, of course-she has more energy than the average almost 70 year old, by far. The rest of us went about halfway. We decided to have drinks and bbq at the Cilantro Chalet right on the lake.