From the road

The Stellar Journal

Seasons, routes and the practical details of getting around Alberta well.

Fall in AlbertaSeptember 20, 20262 min read

Dark Skies and Northern Lights: Alberta After Sunset in Autumn

Jasper is one of the largest dark sky preserves in the world, and autumn is when the aurora returns. Where to stand, what the forecasts actually mean, and how to dress for three hours of waiting.

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Fall in AlbertaSeptember 16, 20262 min read

The Icefields Parkway in Autumn: The Best Month to Drive It

September and early October give you the Parkway at its best: low light, gold larches, no summer convoy. Here is what is open, what has closed for the season, and how to time the stops.

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Fall in AlbertaSeptember 12, 20262 min read

The Elk Rut: What Autumn Sounds Like in Banff and Jasper

From early September to mid-October the bull elk bugle, and they are genuinely dangerous. Where to hear them, how far back to stand, and why the townsite is the worst place to get close.

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Fall in AlbertaSeptember 9, 20263 min read

Larch Season in Alberta: When to Go and Where to Stand

Alberta’s only deciduous conifer turns gold for about two weeks each September. Here is when the colour peaks, which valleys hold it longest, and how to reach them without fighting for a parking space.

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Fall in AlbertaSeptember 3, 20262 min read

Banff in October: The Cheapest, Quietest Month in the Park

The summer crowds have gone and the ski crowds have not arrived. October in Banff is half empty, considerably cheaper, and about half the attractions are shut. Here is which half.

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