Wanting to get a fire started before dark, we drove past the hot springs and stopped at the first campground within Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, which was at Alces Lake, about 5km past the springs. The campground was gated off so we left the van at the gate (came back to sleep) and walked in for a campfire. There are more campgrounds within the park (around Whiteswan Lake itself) and Top of the World Provincial Park is in this direction as well, further up another FSR. I reckon I'll return to these later on in the year.
The FSR leaves Highway 93/95 about 50km south of Invermere, near the town of Canal Flats.
(Google Maps link)
Though an active logging road, it is fairly well-maintained. Bumpy with potholes but nothing a 2wd couldn't handle. We followed a Toyota Corolla in.
The FSR has been blasted in to the side of this river valley. It is a steep drop off and the road is 1 lane at times:
Alces Lake Campground, the first of 3 or 4 campgrounds within Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, was gated and locked, so we parked the van at the entrance:
Walked from the van into the campground. Here's the view of Alces Lake:
Though it was drizzly all night, we found enough dry wood to have a campfire and roast some sausages:
The following morning we hit up the hot springs, backtracking a bit along the FSR towards the highway. A family with children were already there enjoying a morning dip:
On the way out along the FSR:
Stopped at a lookout about 10km NE of Radium:
Stopped for a photo op at the turnoff for Cochrane, AB, about 20km W of Calgary:
Icing on the cake was getting the best fuel economy I've had since buying the van last fall:
Banff to Invermere: 220 km; 7.78 l/100km; 30.22 mpg
Return trip Radium to Calgary: 262km; 7.62 l/100km; 30.86 mpg
I reckon the big secret was keeping it slow - I cruised at 90-95km/h wherever possible and took it slow up the hills.
1991 L300 Exceed, High Roof, diesel, 5-spd
