Banff National Park of Canada Spring 2005
Banff Location Vegetation Banff was established as Canada's first Three distinct vegetation zones exist in this National Park of Canada national park in 1885. Located in mountainous region, largely because of the southwestern Alberta on the British inherent changes in elevation. The montane Columbia border, Banff epitomizes the zone is the lowest of the three, and is Climate world-famous Rocky Mountains with all characterized by grassy meadows, and Dramatic variations in Banff's climate are caused by their rugged splendor and scenic beauty. forests of Douglas fir, white spruce, a combination of elevation, rainshadow effects, and The 6 641 km 2 park is about 130 km west of trembling aspen, and lodgepole pine. The latitude. Generally, winters are long and summers Calgary, and is perhaps the most well- subalpine zone of the slopes supports a cool and short, with only occasional hot spells. known of the five national parks (also largely closed coniferous forest of Average January highs are -7oC, while July averages includes Yoho, Kootenay, Jasper, and Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and o Waterton Lakes), that represent the Rocky to 22 C. These temperatures apply to valley bottoms. lodgepole pine. Some open meadowland o Mountain Natural Region. Banff is located At higher elevations temperatures are about 5-7 C can also be found here. During summer, in the Montane Cordillera Ecozone. cooler. Annual precipitation ranges from less than these meadows are covered with a thick 380 mm at lower elevations to over 1 250 mm at carpet of wildflowers. The highest of the higher elevations. three zones, the alpine region, cannot support trees. Vegetation is sparse, with Geology some alpine meadows, and as one goes Activities higher up still, one enters the exclusive The Rockies and their foothills are the eastern part of a Jasper Visitors to Banff can enjoy a multitude of National Park domain of hardy lichens that cling to the bare larger system of mountains, the Western Cordillera, which activities, including camping at one of 14 rock. includes all the ranges between the Rocky Mountain Columbia Ice campgrounds, hiking along 1 500 km of trails, foothills and the Pacific Ocean, and extends from Alaska to Field boating on the Bow River and Lake Mexico. The Canadian Rockies are divided into three main Minnewanka, and driving the scenic Icefields Alberta sets of ranges running parallel to each other in a more or less Parkway. The park, which attracts over four northwest to southeast line. These are the Front Ranges (to million visitors from all over the world each year, the east), the Main Ranges, and the Western Ranges, of offers fishing, mountain climbing, cycling, which the Front and Main Ranges are represented in Banff horseback riding, downhill skiing, canoeing, and National Park. The range of summit elevations tends to be Bow Lake swimming. Taking a dip in the hot springs is also similar for the Main and Front Ranges (2 500 m - 3 500 m), but N Wildlife popular. A small resort-like parkland the tallest peaks are generally found in the Main Ranges. established around these hot springs was the Banff is famous for its wildlife. Some 54 Yoho forefather of what would eventually become National LAKE LOUISE mammal species are found here, including The Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains are found in Banff Park Banff National Park. B Moraine o and are composed of thick layers of limestone and shale. w moose, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep,
Lake
R iv These mountains have a tilted, tooth-like appearance that e white-tailed deer, mule deer, cougars, black r occasionally show folded layers of these sedimentary bed- bears, and grizzly bears. More than 260 Egypt B.C. Lake Minnewanka rocks. It is believed that the Rockies have seen at least four BANFF Lake species of birds, including golden and bald For more information, contact: ice ages, but the jagged peaks indicate a relatively young eagles, have been identified. The park's The Superintendent Kootenay Banff National Park age for these mountains, compared to the ancient National Spray major watersheds contain rainbow trout, Park Lake Appalachian chain that runs along the eastern part of the brook trout, lake trout, bull trout, and Box 900 Banff, Alberta T0L 0C0 whitefish. Reptiles and amphibians are continent. For protecting a part of one of the earth's true Telephone: (403) 762-1500 scenic treasures, Banff (along with Jasper, Yoho, and Glacier/Icefield scarce because of the severe climate. Only Infocentre: (403) 762-1550 0 26 880 m Kootenay) was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in © Parks Canada three species of toad, two frogs, one Fax: (403) 762-1551 1985 on the park's 100th anniversary. salamander, and one type of snake have been Website: www.pc.gc.ca/banff recorded. Banff National Park of Canada Spring 2005
Banff Location Vegetation Banff was established as Canada's first Three distinct vegetation zones exist in this National Park of Canada national park in 1885. Located in mountainous region, largely because of the southwestern Alberta on the British inherent changes in elevation. The montane Columbia border, Banff epitomizes the zone is the lowest of the three, and is Climate world-famous Rocky Mountains with all characterized by grassy meadows, and Dramatic variations in Banff's climate are caused by their rugged splendor and scenic beauty. forests of Douglas fir, white spruce, a combination of elevation, rainshadow effects, and The 6 641 km 2 park is about 130 km west of trembling aspen, and lodgepole pine. The latitude. Generally, winters are long and summers Calgary, and is perhaps the most well- subalpine zone of the slopes supports a cool and short, with only occasional hot spells. known of the five national parks (also largely closed coniferous forest of Average January highs are -7oC, while July averages includes Yoho, Kootenay, Jasper, and Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and o Waterton Lakes), that represent the Rocky to 22 C. These temperatures apply to valley bottoms. lodgepole pine. Some open meadowland o Mountain Natural Region. Banff is located At higher elevations temperatures are about 5-7 C can also be found here. During summer, in the Montane Cordillera Ecozone. cooler. Annual precipitation ranges from less than these meadows are covered with a thick 380 mm at lower elevations to over 1 250 mm at carpet of wildflowers. The highest of the higher elevations. three zones, the alpine region, cannot support trees. Vegetation is sparse, with Geology some alpine meadows, and as one goes Activities higher up still, one enters the exclusive The Rockies and their foothills are the eastern part of a Jasper Visitors to Banff can enjoy a multitude of National Park domain of hardy lichens that cling to the bare larger system of mountains, the Western Cordillera, which activities, including camping at one of 14 rock. includes all the ranges between the Rocky Mountain Columbia Ice campgrounds, hiking along 1 500 km of trails, foothills and the Pacific Ocean, and extends from Alaska to Field boating on the Bow River and Lake Mexico. The Canadian Rockies are divided into three main Minnewanka, and driving the scenic Icefields Alberta sets of ranges running parallel to each other in a more or less Parkway. The park, which attracts over four northwest to southeast line. These are the Front Ranges (to million visitors from all over the world each year, the east), the Main Ranges, and the Western Ranges, of offers fishing, mountain climbing, cycling, which the Front and Main Ranges are represented in Banff horseback riding, downhill skiing, canoeing, and National Park. The range of summit elevations tends to be Bow Lake swimming. Taking a dip in the hot springs is also similar for the Main and Front Ranges (2 500 m - 3 500 m), but N Wildlife popular. A small resort-like parkland the tallest peaks are generally found in the Main Ranges. established around these hot springs was the Banff is famous for its wildlife. Some 54 Yoho forefather of what would eventually become National LAKE LOUISE mammal species are found here, including The Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains are found in Banff Park Banff National Park. B Moraine o and are composed of thick layers of limestone and shale. w moose, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep,
Lake
R iv These mountains have a tilted, tooth-like appearance that e white-tailed deer, mule deer, cougars, black r occasionally show folded layers of these sedimentary bed- bears, and grizzly bears. More than 260 Egypt B.C. Lake Minnewanka rocks. It is believed that the Rockies have seen at least four BANFF Lake species of birds, including golden and bald For more information, contact: ice ages, but the jagged peaks indicate a relatively young eagles, have been identified. The park's The Superintendent Kootenay Banff National Park age for these mountains, compared to the ancient National Spray major watersheds contain rainbow trout, Park Lake Appalachian chain that runs along the eastern part of the brook trout, lake trout, bull trout, and Box 900 Banff, Alberta T0L 0C0 whitefish. Reptiles and amphibians are continent. For protecting a part of one of the earth's true Telephone: (403) 762-1500 scenic treasures, Banff (along with Jasper, Yoho, and Glacier/Icefield scarce because of the severe climate. Only Infocentre: (403) 762-1550 0 26 880 m Kootenay) was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in © Parks Canada three species of toad, two frogs, one Fax: (403) 762-1551 1985 on the park's 100th anniversary. salamander, and one type of snake have been Website: www.pc.gc.ca/banff recorded.