Cochrane AB area to Wasa Park BC and on to Okanagan Falls BC

WARNING - lots of mountain pictures!

We slipped away from our friend's driveway about 6:20 MDT (8:20 EDT) under sunny 3C skies. We decided to stay on Hwy 1A as much as we could, rather than the Trans Canada Hwy #1. We do like travelling good back roads:

Taking some advice from our more experienced friends, we stopped in Canmore and picked up a couple of items we hope to never have to use, bear spray and a klaxon horn:

After Canmore we started getting into the mountains, initially still along Hwy 1A, then moving to the TCH #1. They run pretty close together:

Bridge for animals crossing over highway

Well treed for animal cover on top

Leaving Alberta, entering BC

In 2018 we took a trip out this way, intending to head south on Hwy 93 when we got there (near Banff AB). The road was closed though, and we found out later there were fires in the area, close to the road.

On this trip, soon after turning south on Hwy 93, we saw damage that could have been from the 2018 fire, but certainly recent anyway, and massive, and it sure was close to the road on both sides:

With fire comes new growth though. This guy (?) was helping mow the grass:

There are several other animal bridges over highways in the area, helping reduce traffic accidents and animal crossing mortality:

This time a single arch over a 2-lane section of road

There is lots of water in the area right now. This was the Kootenay River, full to the banks and kind of surly-looking:

Wasa Lake Provincial Park was our early overnight stop. Wasa is a  large park including a pretty lake, with boating and beaches. The campground is set among mature pine trees, sunny with shade, sites sparsely occupied. A nice quiet night right off the highway.

Wednesday's trip:

Thursday:
 

A pretty morning at Wasa Lake

An Osprey was busy feeding nestlings at their nearby nest:

We pulled over to let this log truck pass us. He didn't leave us much room:

Just a real pretty drive along Hwy 93:

A reminder to watch for animals. They didn't care enough to reduce the 100 kph speed limit on this sometimes narrow twisty hilly road though. It's a pretty drive, but in many places it sure doesn't seem like a 100 kph road. These signs seem like a token effort:

The twisty road (logging?) up this nearby hillside was hopefully not posted for 100 kph!:

As we approached the peak of the Crowsnest Pass, we started to see snow:

1736 Metres (5695 ft) was about the peak

There was a traffic slowdown where a crew was clearing up what looked like a minor avalanche that had spilled onto the road:

Waterfalls were cascading in places

Often not a straight drive, but still 100kph

The weather turned wetter once over the pass:

A small farm had some interesting livestock:

This was only part of the large herd of goats

Unusual to see a herd of ostrich

We finally got to Osoyoos, getting close to Cathie's sister's place:

Looking down at Osoyoos from the big hill

Lots of orchards and greenery in the area

The non-irrigated hills look pretty dry

And here we are at Donna and Bob's place. The hill in their back yard is often a wildlife display, but not today:

We'll be staying here for a few days, while Cathie and Donna have some sister time. It's been quite a while since their last chance to spend time together.

If you've made it through this long post, thanks! This is what happens when we have good wifi again, instead of our limited cellular data. :))