This photo shows 9836 feet (2998 meters) high Cascade Mountain emerging from the clouds on a fall morning. This is the mountain seen in the famous view looking north up Banff Avenue. Cascade Mountain is named for a spectacular waterfall on its south face. The waterfall is very visible from the Trans-Canada Highway as you drive north from Canmore.
This picture was taken from a very nice elevated boardwalk trail that originates below the Cave and Basin facilities. The boardwalk skirts the edge of Cave and Basin marsh and affords some fine views of both Cascade Mountain and Mount Norquay. Signs along the walk explain interesting bits of natural history. This short trail leads over the edge of the marsh and ends in a birdwatching blind.
Cave and Basin is located on the southwestern edge of Banff Townsite. To get there, simply drive up Banff Avenue and cross the stone bridge over the Bow River, Just across the bridge turn right on Cave Avenue. It is about a km, less than a mile, to the Cave and Basin parking area. The trail to the marsh can be accessed by a stairway on the lower side of the Cave and Basin buildings. Here is a nice Parks Canada map of the area.
