Tag Archives: Banff National Park

My Experience of an Amazing Act of Kindness on the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park

12 March 2024

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Storm Mountain Lookout on the Bow Valley Parkway.
L to R: Nick and Heather from Syracuse, New York State, and Azli and Scott from Edmonton, Alberta, are pictured at the Storm Mountain Lookout Point after releasing my vehicle from deep snow and ice. They had the same smiles and warmth throughout the time they fought to get my car out of the snow — they never showed a moment of frustration. Their unassuming line was, “No worries”. March 9, 2024, Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.

By MALIK MERCHANT

Who can spend 90 minutes of their precious time when they have to make it back home the same evening hundreds of kilometres away or fly the following day to their destination thousands of miles away? Moreover, they have unfinished sightseeing to complete during the remainder of a glorious afternoon. Two beautiful couples from Syracuse, New York, and Edmonton, Alberta, did precisely that as they devoted precious time and energy to helping me out of a mess I got into on the Bow Valley Parkway. Without their help, my trip to Banff, even with all the beautiful picture-taking I did, would have been in ruins and likely one I would soon wish to forget. Nick, Heather, Scott, and Azli made an act of kindness that I will never forget! READ MY STORY.

A view of Castle Mountain from the Bow River passing through Hwy 93.
A view of Castle Mountain from the Bow River, where it meets Hwy 93 (Banff-Windermere Parkway). Please click on the photo for the story in our photoblog.

Date posted: March 12, 2024.

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Alberta is Beautiful: Two Hikes for the Whole Family to Enjoy in Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country

8 January 2024

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On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024, Malik Merchant drove 90 minutes from Calgary to stunning Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A) for a hike to the Lower Falls. Then, 5 days later, his drive to Kananaskis Country was shorter, and his hike through the aspen forest to Troll Falls was slow-paced and easy-going. The two contrasting hikes are beautifully captured in his photographs.

PLEASE CLICK TROLL FALLS

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PLEASE CLICK JOHNSTON CANYON

Date posted: January 8, 2024.

Please click Simergphotos for superb photographs from Alberta and Canada, and around the world.

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Photographs: Every Visit to Banff National Park is full of “Wow” Moments

25 November 2023

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Malik Merchant rejuvenates himself by visiting parks within the city of Calgary and on his day trips to the Kananaskis and Banff. His latest visit to Banff was on Friday, November 24, 2023. See his new pictures by clicking on the photo below or click WOW Moments in Banff. Also, visit his exciting and informative photoblog Simergphotos.

Banff Lake Minnewanka
Please click on photo for “WOW Banff”

Date posted: November 25, 2023.

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Savour Summer’s Final Days at Banff’s Lake Minnewanka and Canmore’s Grassi Lakes

24 August 2023

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Please click LAKE MINNEWANKA and GRASSI LAKES

By MALIK MERCHANT

For tourists from around the world as well as individuals and families living close to Canmore or Banff National Park, whether in Alberta or British Columbia, as well as those in “distant” cities like Edmonton — and Canadians DO love driving their cars — make it to Lake Minnewanka and Grassi Lakes during these last 7 days in August, before schools commence. With almost a full week of sunshine promised — and daytime highs in the mid to upper 20s — your children will love the trip to these amazing places and they will have a lot of fun including swimming and seeing wildlife! The loop drive to Minnewanka Lake would include stops at the beautiful Two Jake Lake, Johnson Lake and the Cascade Ponds. Near Canmore, you have the stunning Grassi Lakes, and the two separate 1.9km trails to the lakes from the parking area are easy to moderate.

Please click on the links LAKE MINNEWANKA and GRASSI LAKES — or on the images below — for full stories and photographs.

Big Horn Sheep near Two Jack Lake on the Lake Minnewanka loop drive.
Big Horn Sheep near Two Jack Lake on the Lake Minnewanka loop drive. Please click on photograph for complete story and more beautiful photographs.
Grassi Lakes Simerg, Malik Merchant
A view of the Upper Grassi Lake. Please click on photograph for complete story and more beautiful photographs.

Date posted: August 17, 2023.
Last updated: August 24, 2023.

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Stunning photos: Banff National Park’s beautiful animals and nature in the thick of a Canadian winter

14 March 2023

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Please click: BEAUTIFUL BANFF

If you are in Alberta, and are waiting for warmer weather to see Banff National Park’s emerald coloured lakes, green forests and wildlife, make no mistake that the Park offers extraordinary scenery in winter. Its snow covered mountains and frozen lakes will baffle your eyes and, with the exception of bears who will be in hibernation for a few more weeks, you will also encounter an amazing variety of wildlife. Malik Merchant’s short excursion to Banff and Lake Louise offered him a rare opportunity to witness how Albertans, Canadians and people from all over the world come to Banff to enjoy its extraordinary mountains, ski resorts, sulphur springs, canyons and trails….as well as coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries! Please click HERE or on the photo below for Merchant’s story and photographs on Simergphotos.

A coyote off Banff’s Tunnel Mountain Road. Please click on image for story and more photos.

Featured photos at top of post: A CP freight train passes through Morant’s curve on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), 6 kms from Lake Louise. The lookout point is a very popular spot for visitors as it offers a stunning view of trains coming around the bend, with the Bow River flowing along the side and mountains in the background. It is a dream spot for train lovers! The frequency of the trains is unreliable, though.

Date posted: March 14, 2023.

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Morant’s Curve: One of the World’s Premiere Train Lookout Points in Banff National Park’s Bow Valley Parkway

14 January 2023

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Malik Merchant returns to Banff National Park after 15 long years, and this time at the start of 2023 in the thick of winter. His photographs will bring you closer to one of Canada’s top destinations and you will be awed with what you learn and see about Morant’s Curve as well as a rare endangered snail that only lives in Banff’s sulphur springs….and, of course, we have other Rocky Mountain photographs too! You must read and share this beautiful post. CLICK FOR MORE! Or click on photos, below.

Close-up view of rocks and aquatic life in a sulphur spring, showcasing a variety of textures and colors.
Can you spot the endangered snail? Click on image for more photographs from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff’. Photograph: Malik Merchant.

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Morant's Curve, Malik Merchant Simerg Photos.
Morant’s Curve, Bow Valley Parkway, Hwy 1A, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Please click on photo for more beautiful photographs. Photograph: Malik Merchant.

Date posted: January 14, 2023.

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REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES

Before departing this website, please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought-provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos. The editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.