Rocky Mountaineer Reflections
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Reflections on The Rocky Mountaineer
I’m on the Rocky Mountaineer Train – the rail journey of a lifetime through the Canadian stretch of the Rockies – and as four days of jaw dropping views rhythmically float past me, I become obsessed with capturing the immense skies and screen-saver scenery as reflected with the glint of the sun in the side of the train.
These are, quite literally, my favourite reflections on the most epic rail journey you can imagine…
I lean out the side of the open-air vestibule of my luxury train carriage, lapping up the fresh air like a dog sticking its head out of a car window. My hair is being whipped in a way that even Willow Smith would find hard to control. I can feel the sun beating down on my skin, I can smell pine needles in the air, and it’s all I can do to decide which way to look first.
With scenery like this enveloping you, it’s hard to know where to look
Like most of the other passengers in the Gold Leaf carriage of the train, I spend much of my days alfresco on that moving deck, darting from one hand rail to the other to see, take in and capture the views.
Thousands of pictures later a theme emerges – there’s something truly special about the way these rivers and lakes, mountains and canyons, bridges and tunnels, whether with clear or ominous skies, appear when reflected back at you in the side of the blue, white and gold carriages. Like Alice in my own wonderland presented with a note reading ‘Photograph me’ I disappear down the rabbit hole clutching my iPhone.
Here are the results…
At Cisco crossing the two mighty train powers of Canada’s coast to coast rail network – Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways meet to cross the canyon.
Fellow passengers taking in the sunlight, the views and the fresh mountain air.
Travelling South West from Lake Louise to Vancouver – I love the way that you can’t quite place what it is you’re looking at in this picture until you notice the curve of the train in the distance.
At Lake Louise station, waiting to board for the return journey to Vancouver, I discover that beautiful old Canadian Pacific rolling stock, including a restaurant car, are permanent features.
Snow-capped mountains, blue skies and greenery, plus the train gently winding endlessly onwards. I finally got the shot I wanted.
You don’t need the train itself to capture some incredible reflection shots out here.
Crossing the river at Revelstoke, British Columbia, surrounded by national parkland.
Reflections on the glass whilst looking up at the sky and at uninterrupted views from the top floor dome in which you travel.
More Info
The Rocky Mountaineer runs from Vancouver through to Jasper and Calgary, stopping at Whistler, Quesnel, Kamloops, Banff, and Lake Louise. The Vancouver to Jasper and Lake Louise to Vancouver routes each take two full days, overnighting at a hotel in Kamloops.
For more information on pricing and packages visit the Rocky Mountaineer website
Rocky Mountaineer Map
SavoirThere was a guest of Rocky Mountaineer
Tags: Canada, Trains, Vancouver
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Savoir There Why I Think It Is High Time I Tackled High Tide - & Tried River Cruises
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[…] in general changed. I was living in Vancouver after falling in love with Canada on the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury train through the Canadian Rockies which is not unlike a cruise on the rails […]
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Green Global Travel
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What an awesome concept. Wonderful photos – looks like you had quite the unforgettable trip 🙂
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Rebecca Enright
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Stunning photos – everything i imagine Canada to be. I’m a huge lover of trying to get reflections shots on the road…something so arty about it all. With Canada, it certainly highlights the picture postcard image!
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Jaillan Yehia
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Really glad you enjoyed the photos Rebecca – much of the scenery is like a picture postcard, or even a screensaver!
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Hisham Yehia
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Great pictures and fantastic scenery! Confirms what Susanne always told me about BC.
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Megan Willams
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SUCH a special trip! Even us Canadians would leap at the chance to see those sights via train.
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Jaillan Yehia
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Thanks Megan – it’s amazing how much positive feedback I have had from Canadians who had underestimated just how spectacular their own country is. Well we all do it!
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Katherine Belarmino
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I’ve heard Canada was the best place to take a train trip. Your pictures have confirmed it. Looks like a beautiful trip.
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Jaillan Yehia
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Thanks! It is indeed an amazing trip, the pictures are an understatement, truly.
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The Travel Hack
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Wow, looks beautiful! I need to go back to Canada in the summer. It was lovely in the snowy winter but this looks amazing.
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Jaillan Yehia
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How funny – we were constantly saying we’d like to come back in the Winter and watch ice hockey and enjoy the snow 🙂
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Andrea
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You make my country look SO good! Can’r wait to do that drive through The Rockies again soon!
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Jaillan Yehia
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Thanks Andrea – I didn’t do anything though – a robot could have pointed a camera at those views and got good shots. But yes, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
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She Gets Around
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Gorgeous photos Jai. I’m desperate to go to Canada and these reflections are pushing it closer to the top of my ‘next places to go…’ list. Such a beautiful place.
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Jaillan Yehia
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Same process happened with me Jen – it took a few years to edge its way to the top and now I can’t believe I waited so long. Get it to the top of the wishlist pronto – but bring plenty of spending money!
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