<div column 65% #intro>
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===== Calgary 2025 ABS Conference & Alberta Exploration =====

The [[https://www.bahaistudies.ca/event/2025|2025 ABS Conference]] is being held in Calgary, Alberta from Friday Aug 1 -> Sunday Aug 3, 2025 at the [[https://calgary-convention.com/|Calgary Convention Center]].

We will add a few days of exploration in the nearby Banff area to make a seven day trip from Monday -> Sunday.  Inspiration for days trips came from [[https://austinadventures.com/|Austin Adventure]]'s tours starting in Calgary and their [[ https://austinadventures.com/destinations/north-america/trips/banff-and-jasper-adventure/|Banff Adventure]], which guides small groups through a week of moderate hiking and rafting around Banff, which is just west of Calgary.  We'll not likely do much from their itinerary - just ideas.   Hiking disclaimer: 60 year old knees will not like 3,000' of climbing four days straight.  So, let's not.

|< 100% 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% 12% >|
^ Sunday        ^ Monday        ^ Tuesday        ^ Wednesday     ^ Thursday      ^ Friday        ^ Saturday      ^ Sunday        ^
| July 27 | July 28 \\ [[#d1|Los Altos -> Banff]] \\ Rimrock Resort | 29 \\ [[#d2|Banff]] \\ Rimrock Resort | 30 \\ [[#d3|Banff]] \\ Rimrock Resort          | 31 \\ [[#d4|Banff]] \\ Rimrock Resort           | August 1  \\ [[#d5|Banff -> Calgary]] \\ Hyatt Regency |2  \\ [[#d6|Calgary]] \\ Hyatt Regency|3 \\ [[#d7|Calgary -> Los Altos]] \\ home|


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<div column 40% #overview>
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===== Maps =====

Each location is labeled A -> Z.
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The drive from the [[https://www.yyc.com/en-us/|Calgary International Airport]] to the [[https://www.rimrockresort.com/|Rimrock Resort Hotel]], Banff, is roughly 100 miles or about 1 1/2 hours of driving.


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<div column 55%>
{{overall.png?500|overall}}
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Overall map
</div>

<div column 50% #d1>
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===== Day 1: Travel to Calgary & Banff =====


==== Monday, July 29 ====

Travel day:
\\

  * **Flight**: G&E from from SFO -> Calgary, on WestJet 1506, 12:50 pm -> 16:34. 
    * Taraz will fly LAX -> YYC on ___TBD____
    * code: HRWVTX
    * u: g.c@g, p: Credibly-Shindig-1
  * **Hotel**: [[https://www.rimrockresort.com/|Rimrock Resort Hotel]], 7/28 -> 8/1/2025
    * checkin: 4pm, checkout: 11am, confirm #: PJPPBBTT
    * address: 300 Mountain Avenue, P.O. Box 1110 Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1J2, , +(1)4037623356
    * deluxe view, 2 queens, one night paid (non-refundable), $35/day self-parking
  * **Car**: Budget, YYC (5pm) -> YYC (1:3pm), Confirmation: 22009151US3, [[https://www.budget.com/en/loyalty-profile/fastbreak/dashboard/my-activity|link]]
    * prepaid, Hyundai Elantra or similar
    * at airport, user: g.c@g, p: g6a@4bQ9GtTiUKQ28a9&


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{rimrock-resort-hotel.jpg?400|Rimrock Resort}}
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[[https://www.rimrockresort.com/|Rimrock Resort Hotel]]
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**Typical Calgary July Weather**
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{{weather.png?400|Typical July Weather}}
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**Sunrise**: 6:00am, **Sunset**: 9:24pm, MDT (one hour ahead)  (**//late sunsets!//**)
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**First Quarter Moon**: Thursday, August 1
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Banff weather is -4' of Calgary.  The Rimrock Resort is at 5,200'.  Calgary is at 3,556'.
</div>

<div column 50% #d1>
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===== Day 5: Banff -> Calgary =====


==== Friday, August 1 ====

Short travel day back to Calgary and start the ABS conference.
\\

  * **Hotel**: [[https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/calrc-hyatt-regency-calgary|Hyatt Regency Calgary]], 8/1 -> 8/3/2025
    * checkin: 3pm, checkout: 12pm, confirm #: 17487719
    * address: 700 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6 Canada, +1 403 717 1234
    * 2 queens high floor, member advance purchase, $28/day self-parking
    * map: [[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hyatt+Regency+Calgary/@51.0460723,-114.0626399,1358m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m9!3m8!1s0x53716ffdd9788e1d:0x9491bdd8e0eab91b!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d51.0460723!4d-114.0626399!16s%2Fg%2F1txfntxp?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D|700 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 5P6, Canada]]
|

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<div column 45%>
{{Hyatt-Regency-Calgary-P002-Exterior.4x3.jpg?400|Hyatt}}
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Calgary Hyatt

</div>


<div column 50% #intro>
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===== ABS Conference 2025 =====

Details TBD.

<blockquote>
The 49th annual conference will take place on August 1-3, 2025 at the Telus Convention Center in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
<cite> 
https://www.bahaistudies.ca/event/2025
</cite>
</blockquote>

The [[https://calgary-convention.com/|Telus Convention Center]] is connected to the [[https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/calrc-hyatt-regency-calgary/rooms|Hyatt Regency]] (via a walkway so thatno outside walking is required.) 
</div>

<div column 45%>
{{abs.png?400|ABS}} 
</div>


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{Hyatt-Regency-Calgary-P002-Exterior.4x3.jpg?400|Hyatt}}
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Calgary Hyatt
</div>


<div column 50% #hikes>
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===== Hikes =====

All hikes are currently from the [[https://austinadventures.com/|Austin Adventure]] trip.  It's worth looking at more.

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{Sentinel-Pass-30-scaled.jpeg?400|Sentinel Pass}}
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Minnestimma Lake, Sentinel Pass
</div>


<div column 50% #hike1>
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===== B: Troll Falls =====

Three waterfalls, 2 miles from KML.

Permit needed: [[https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/evan-thomas-pra/]]

  * stats: 2.9 miles/744'/1:37
  * map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/troll-falls]]

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{troll.jpg?400|Troll Falls}}
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Troll Falls
</div>

<div column 50% #hike2>
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===== C: 1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail =====

Lake & mountain views, 26 miles S of KML.  Named after the 1st Canadians to summit Mt. Everest: [[https://medium.com/globetrotters/canadians-climbed-mount-everest-for-the-first-time-40-years-ago-741823ed81b0|medium]].  Not indicative of hike difficulty.

Permit needed: [[https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/evan-thomas-pra/]]

  * stats: 1.2 miles/360'/0:43
  * map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/1982-canadian-mount-everest-expedition-interpretive]]


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{mt.everest.jpg?400|1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail}}
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1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail
</div>


<div column 50% #hike3>
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===== F: Sunshine Meadows =====

Gondola ride to near top (8000') with alpine meadows & lakes.

See also: [[https://www.banffsunshinemeadows.com/hiking]]

  * stats: 6.6 miles/1450'/3:24
  * map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/sunshine-meadows--3]]


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{sunshine-meadows.jpg?400|Sunshine Meadows}}
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Sunshine Meadows
</div>


<div column 50% #hike4>
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===== I: Sentinel Pass =====
  
  
One of the top hikes near Banff.  Simple out and back from [[https://morainelake.com/|Moraine Lake Lodge]], elevation 5,876'.

Uses shuttle bus from https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Lake%20Louise%20Park%20and%20Ride Lake Louis Ski Resort, reservations required.

See also: [[https://thebanffblog.com/larch-valley-sentinel-pass/]]
  
  
  * stats: 6.9 miles/2,457'/5:00?
  * map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/sentinel-pass--3]]


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{Sentinel-Pass-13-scaled.jpg?400|Sentinel Pass}}
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Sentinel Pass
</div>


<div column 50% #hike5>
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===== H: Athabasca Glacier =====

Guided hike, where they provide crampons, hiking sticks and lunch.  Two options available, 1/2 day and full.  The location is remote and and leaving early will likely be needed to get there by the 9:30am departure.

<blockquote>
The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at the rate of several centimeters per day. Spilling from the Columbia Icefield over three giant bedrock steps, the glacier flows down the valley like a frozen, slow-moving river.
<cite>
[[https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8ebc8d55e54944f7b4871325b9768a8c|storymaps]]
</cite>
</blockquote>

Likely guides: 
  * [[https://www.icewalks.com/]]
  * [[https://rockaboo.ca/summer-activities/experience-athabasca-glacier/]]
  * [[https://icefieldsparkway.com/tours-experiences/icewalk-guided-tour]]
  * [[https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/columbia-icefield/]]
  * [[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154917-d669313-Reviews-Ice_Walk-Jasper_National_Park_Alberta.html]]


We can also take a [[https://www.authentikcanada.com/us-en/activities/excursion-glacier-athabasca-jasper|snow coach]] across the [[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154917-d184914-Reviews-Columbia_Icefield_Discovery_Centre-Jasper_National_Park_Alberta.html|Columbia Ice Field]].


See also:
  * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athabasca_Glacier]]
  * [[https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/columbia-icefield/]]

  * stats: 3 miles/650'/3 hours **(1/2 day)**
  * stats: 5 miles/1000'/6 hours **(full day)**


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{athabasca-glacier.jpeg?400|Athabasca Glacier}}
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Athabasca Glacier
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{{Athabasca-Glacier-Full-Day-Glacier-Hike.jpg?300|Athabasca Glacier}}
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Ice Walks full day pic
</div>


<div column 50% #hike6>
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===== Near E: Johnson Lake =====

Simple loop around a pretty lake.  All around 4500'.

See also: [[https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/hike-johnson-lake-loop]]

  * stats: 1.8 miles/226'/0:45
  * map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/johnson-lake]]

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{johnson.jpg?400|Johnson Lake}}
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Johnson Lake
</div>


<div column 50% #h4>
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===== Near E: Banff Springs Hotel =====

An iconic, historical, huge and pricey hotel.  Not likely, but I've always wanted to see it.


[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff_Springs_Hotel]]


  * Website: [[ https://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/]]
  * Rate: 700+
  * Address: [[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fairmont+Banff+Springs/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x99e9a92cf4f6ce?sa=X&ved=1t:2428&ictx=111| 405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4, Canada]]

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{Banff_Spring_Hotel_Alberta.jpg?400|Banff Springs Hotel}}
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Banff Springs Hotel
</div>


<div column 50% #hike7>
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===== D: Horseback Ride at Rafter Six Ranch =====

Various ride lengths through meadows, streams & forests.

  * 2 hour ride: $159.  Leaves at 10am & 2pm
  * 1/2 day is 3 1/2 hours: $235, includes snacks, water, helmet.
   * Leavs at 9am & 1pm.

See: [[https://www.raftersix.com/index.html]]

See also: [[https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/hike-johnson-lake-loop]]


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{rafter6.jpg?400|Rafter Six}}
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Rafter Six
</div>


<div column 50% #hike8>
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===== G: Marble Canyon =====

Quick out and back to see when going to Lake Louise.  "Highlights include stunning canyon views, waterfalls, and crystal-clear water."

  * stats: 1 miles/160'/0:25
  * map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/marble-canyon]]

See also: [[https://www.awalkandalark.com/marble-canyon-kootenay-national-park/]]


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{marble.jpg?400|Marble Canyon}}
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Marble Canyon
</div>


<div column 50% #hike9>
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===== Starts near E: Lake Louise Indigenous E-bike Tour =====

Lake Louise is a must see and the Austin Adventure plan for families is to do a bike ride around the lake.  The following possibility popped up in Google:

<blockquote>
Embark on an Indigenous e-biking and e-fat biking tour through the stunning landscapes of Banff National Park, where adventure meets cultural insight. Thanks to an exciting collaboration between Bikescape and Buffalo Stone Woman, you’ll explore beautiful bike trails while discovering the deep connection between the land and Indigenous traditions.
<cite>
[[https://www.banfflakelouise.com/experiences/indigenous-e-bike-tour]]
</cite>
</blockquote>

See also:
  * [[https://bikescape.ca/en/indigescape-summer-ebike-experience/]]
  * [[https://www.banfflakelouise.com/]]

  * stats: 6-10 miles/na/1-3 hours, $160
  * map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/marble-canyon]]


To bring: rain jacket, gloves, glasses, backpack.
They provide: helmets, snacks, water, indigenous teachings.


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{louise.jpg?400|Lake Louise }}
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Lake Louise
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{{stone.jpg?200|Buffalo Stone Women}}
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Buffalo Stone Women guides.

</div>