2014 Acura MDX Road Trip: Alberta’s Rockies Part 1

Taking the Scenic Route Through Alberta’s Rockies

Anyone who has spent some time in the province of Alberta, Canada will likely have travelled between its two largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary. The road most travelled is Highway 2, at under three hours it’s the most direct route if you want to quickly get from one city to the other.

After picking up a 2014 Acura MDX loaner from Acura Canada’s Calgary office one June morning, I hopped onto Highway 2 towards Edmonton, only to exit off after just a few minutes. I had already decided weeks beforehand that I wouldn’t be taking Highway 2 North. I was Westbound, towards the majestic Rocky Mountains of Alberta. This detour would eventually lead me to Edmonton, but not before experiencing a road trip through one of the most scenic drives in in the world: Banff to Jasper via Highway 93, also known as the Icefields Parkway.

Lac des Arcs

Heading West towards Banff National Park on the Trans-Canada Highway, Lac Des Arcs is one of the first scenic roadside turnouts within the Canadian Rockies.

The ride: A 2014 Acura MDX SH-AWD with the top-of-the-line ELITE package. Maxed out with features, it has the luxury and athleticism to make any road trip enjoyable.

An hour into the trip and still looking good. The MDX’s Crystal Black Pearl shines like glass, but the reflections make it a photographer’s nightmare.

Whitemans Pond, Kananaskis

Before the Banff National Park gates I took a detour through the town of Canmore and climbed a dusty gravel road to reach Whitemans Pond. Overlooking the pond is this sharp angled rock formation pointing to the sky.

The pond water glistens a gorgeous green hue, a common trait also found in many Rocky Mountain lakes and rivers. The MDX’s mirror finish however is now covered in dirt and dust.

Banff, Alberta

Inside Banff National Park and into the town of Banff I was in need of a car wash. After getting wrong directions from the hotel front desk, I thanked the Acura Navigation for pointing me the right way. Mirror finish restored.

Lake Minnewanka Loop

2014 Acura MDX - Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park

With the sun setting, I took a short jaunt North East from the town of Banff to drive the Lake Minnewanka Loop. A parked MDX on the shore of Two Jack Lake made for some of the best shots of the trip.

Two Jack Lake is just one of the many picturesque lakes found within Banff National Park’s 6,641 km2(2,564 sq mi) of terrain.

Attached to Two Jack Lake is Lake Minnewanka, one of the largest lakes in the Canadian Rockies. There’s plenty to do in and around the lake – hiking, mountain biking, boating, and even scuba diving. The submerged town site of Minnewanka Landing has made it a popular dive spot for those wanting to explore its underwater ruins.

2014 Acura MDX - Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park

Banff experiences long days in the month of June. The sun rises at around 5:30 AM and sets at around 10 PM. Although there was still plenty of light at 8 PM when this shot was taken, it was time to complete the Minnewanka Loop and head back to the town of Banff for a night’s rest.

Gallery