About ten years ago, I promised my nephews (best friends’ kids but don’t tell me I’m not their “actual” uncle) that I’d take each of them on a trip for their high school graduation, assuming they were still nice to me at that point. Well, the first one graduated, and – somewhat surprisingly to me – still wanted to go with this old dude (me) on a trip. He’s incredible athletic (varsity swim and water polo) and wanted to go somewhere he can go hiking, so we agreed on Banff.
Now let it be known that while I am in decent shape, I am not an 18 year old athlete, so in case photos of me on this trip are of a slightly graying 45 year old huffing and puffing next to a not-even-breathing-hard teen, there’s a good reason for that. But I am resolved to do at least one “real” hike.
Following two days in Banff, we will head back to Calgary for a bit of culture, and some quality food, before flying back home. It will be a short trip, but one that will be both beautiful and rewarding, and will see me get some quality time with someone I met merely an hour after his birth. (Yeah, dude, you’ve grown up a bit.)
The basic itinerary is below. And even as of this writing a couple months ahead of time, a few things have necessitated changes to it, so I expect at least the possibility that more things will change. Weather, after all, is a factor at Banff even in late June. Articles (probably 2-3 of them) will come out several months from now, so if you want a more up-to-date glimpse, make sure to follow me on Bluesky.
Day One – San Francisco to Canmore
As he lives in the Bay Area, I’ll be flying up to Calgary with him from there, picking up a rental car, and heading to our first base in Canmore, just outside Banff.
Day Two – Canmore
This is our full day in Banff. The plan was to do the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake shuttle, but that was already sold out when I logged in about an hour after tickets went on sale. So we are still doing that, but now as a tour from Canmore. (Parking is extremely limited at Lake Louise, and Moraine Lake is closed to private vehicles, so booking one of these options was necessary.)
Lake Louise is the one place I remember from being in Banff when I was a small child. Both it and Moraine Lake are considered among the most beautiful lakes in the world, and our tour provides about an hour and a half at each. That should be enough time to do some sort of cool walk at least.
Day Three – Canmore to Calgary
The morning will be spent back in Banff hiking. Which hike is going to be dependent on weather and mood, but the plan is for something with at least a little bit of actual elevation gain leading to a good view of the Canadian Rockies. Send good vibes for me trying to keep up.
After lunch back in Canmore, we will head into Calgary and to the first of two nice steak dinners I’ll be taking the kid to. Calgary is known for steak.
Day Four – Calgary
This is our day in town so my nephew gets a bit of culture to go with his nature. The initial plan was Fort Calgary for a history lesson, but it’s closed for a private event all week. So now it appears we will hit up Studio Bell at the National Music Centre for a glimpse into some of Canada’s coolest musicians and bands.
And then it’s more steak.
Day Five – Calgary to San Francisco
Back to the airport and back to California. And best of luck to a great kid on starting college in fall. (And to his younger brother, you’re on the clock for your graduation trip in two years, buddy.)
So that’s the basic – short – trip. I’m honestly incredibly excited for it, both for the places and for the time with a cool young adult (I guess I should stop calling him a kid, but it’s a hard habit to break). For those who are more visual, the map of the trip is below. You see most of Alberta. Calgary is to the right of Canmore, which is in the mountains.
