Glacier Fluctuations in the Canadian Rockies
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CANADA's MOUNTAIN Rocky Mountain Goats
CANADA'S MOUNTAIN Rocky Mountain Goats CANADA'S MOUNTAIN PLAYGROUNDS BANFF • JASPER • WATERTON LAKES • YOHO KOOTENAY ° GLACIER • MOUNT REVELSTOKE The National Parks of Canada ANADA'S NATIONAL PARKS are areas The National Parks of Canada may, for C of outstanding beauty and interest that purposes of description, be grouped in three have been set apart by the Federal Govern main divisions—the scenic and recreational ment for public use. They were established parks in the mountains of Western Canada; the to maintain the primitive beauty of the land scenic, recreational, wild animals, and historic scape, to conserve the native wildlife of the parks of the Prairie Provinces; and the scenic, country, and to preserve sites of national his recreational, and historic parks of Eastern Can toric interest. As recreational areas they pro ada. In these pages will be found descriptions vide ideal surroundings for the enjoyment of of the national parks in the first group—areas outdoor life, and now rank among Canada's which lie within the great mountain regions outstanding tourist attractions. of Alberta and British Columbia. Canada's National Park system teas estab * * * lished in 1SS5, when a small area surrounding mineral hot springs at Banff in the Rocky This publication is compiled in co-operation Mountains was reserved as a public posses with the National Parks Branch, Department sion. From this beginning has been developed of Northern Affairs and National Resources. the great chain of national playgrounds note Additional information concerning these parks stretching across Canada from the Selkirk may be obtained from the Park Superintend Mountains in British Columbia to the Atlantic ents, or from the Canadian Government Travel Coast of Nova Scotia. -
Banff to Jasper Bike Tour the 290 Kilometre (180 Mile) Bike Point
Banff to Jasper bike tour the 290 kilometre (180 mile) bike point. Continuing north descend to Saskatchewan e best time to do this bike tour is tour between Banff and Jasper is Crossing, where three rivers converge, and then climb in July and August but June and Sep - considered to be one of the most impressive to the Columbia Icefields, known for chilly tempera - tember are possible if the weather cooper - mountain rides in the world. e ride runs tures even in the middle of summer. is is where you ates. Fickle weather is the norm in the parallel to the Continental Divide, and can can take a motorized tour onto the glacier. mountains so come prepared for four seasons start in either Banff or Jasper, both of which are at any time. You might find snow patches at the exceptionally scenic towns. Mountain ride means North of the Columbia Icefield you’ll see Sunwapta top of some passes even in the summer. riding by mountains and not over them. Only 55 Mountain and the Endless Chain Ridge. e rest of kilometres from Banff is Lake Louise, considered to the bike tour takes you alongside the Sunwapta and e Banff Jasper corridor is easily accessible via Cal - be the hiking capital of Canada. If time isn’t of the Athabasca Rivers into Jasper. gary only 125 kilometres (80 miles) away to the east. essence then stay longer and explore. In particular, Edmonton is also a possibility though it’s 360 kilo - Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers aren’t far e ride takes place entirely on the Parkway, a highway metres (215 miles) from Jasper. -
The Columbia Ice-Field
THE COLUMBIA ICE-FIELD THE COLUMBIA ICE-FIELD Department of Resources and Development Development Services Branch National Parks and Historic Sites Service Ottawa, Canada Athabasca Glacier—Columbia Ice-field showing Snow Dome in background. Jasper National Park, Alberta The Columbia Ice-field The Columbia Ice-field, centre of the greatest known accumulation of ice in the Rocky Mountains, is not only one of the most interesting ice-fields in North America, but certainly one of the most accessible. Near the Banff-Jasper Highway, it lies astride the British Columbia- Alberta boundary and at the dividing line between Banff and Jasper National Parks. With its outlet glaciers, the Columbia Ice-field covers an area of nearly 130 square miles, of which fully 50 square miles are more than 8,500 feet above sea level in the area of accumulation, usually called the "neve". From the great central ice reservoir, lying between Snow Dome, Mount Castleguard, and Mount Columbia and capping the Continental Divide for a distance of about 20 miles, three valleys radiate outward. Through them flow the Athabasca Glacier to the northeast, the Saskatchewan to the east, and the Columbia to the northwest. From other points smaller ice tongues flow into the surrounding valleys, and in a number of places ice tumbles over precipices to form reconstructed glaciers such as Dome Glacier at the head of Habel Creek, and the northward flowing glacier between Mounts Columbia and King Edward. The Columbia Ice-field is the source of three great rivers — the 765-mile Athabasca, a sub-tributary of the Mackenzie River, which flows into the Arctic Ocean; the Saskatchewan (1,205 miles) which crosses the Prairies and empties into Lake Winnipeg and, via the Nelson River, into Hudson Bay; and the Columbia (1,210 miles) which cascades its way through scenic gorges, crossing into the U.S.A before entering the Pacific Ocean. -
Island Bushwhacker Annual 2009
THE ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA VANCOUVER ISLAND SECTION ISLAND BUSHWHACKER ANNUAL VOLUME 37, 2009 VANCOUVER ISLAND SECTION of THE ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA SECTION EXECUTIVE – 2009 Chair Cedric Zala Secretary Rick Hudson Treasurer Geoff Bennett Banff Mountain Film Festival Lissa Zala Kari Frazer Bushwhacker Committee Sandy Briggs Lindsay Elms Rob Macdonald Russ Moir Bushwhacker Design & Layout Sandy Stewart Education Peter Rothermel Dave Campbell Equipment Mike Hubbard FMCBC Rep John Young Library/Archivist Judith Holm Membership Jain Alcock-White Members at Large Phee Hudson Russ Moir Mike Morley Dave Campbell National Rep Russ Moir Newsletter Cedric Zala Safety Selena Swets Schedule Karun Thanjavur Webmaster/Listserver Martin Hofmann ACC VI Section website: www.accvi.ca ACC National website: www.alpineclubofcanada.ca ISSN 0822 - 9473 Cover: Looking east from Springer Peak to Johnstone Strait, June 2009. PHOTO: DAVE CAMPBELL Printed on recycled paper Contents Message from the Chair Cedric Zala ..............................................................................................................................................................................................1 VANCOUVER ISLAND Colonel Foster – On a Sunny Summer’s Day Christine Fordham ............................................................................................3 Mount Phillips from Arnica Lakes Dave Campbell ....................................................................................................................4 Victoria Peak: First Winter Ascent -
Glaciers of the Canadian Rockies
Glaciers of North America— GLACIERS OF CANADA GLACIERS OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES By C. SIMON L. OMMANNEY SATELLITE IMAGE ATLAS OF GLACIERS OF THE WORLD Edited by RICHARD S. WILLIAMS, Jr., and JANE G. FERRIGNO U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1386–J–1 The Rocky Mountains of Canada include four distinct ranges from the U.S. border to northern British Columbia: Border, Continental, Hart, and Muskwa Ranges. They cover about 170,000 km2, are about 150 km wide, and have an estimated glacierized area of 38,613 km2. Mount Robson, at 3,954 m, is the highest peak. Glaciers range in size from ice fields, with major outlet glaciers, to glacierets. Small mountain-type glaciers in cirques, niches, and ice aprons are scattered throughout the ranges. Ice-cored moraines and rock glaciers are also common CONTENTS Page Abstract ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- J199 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------- 199 FIGURE 1. Mountain ranges of the southern Rocky Mountains------------ 201 2. Mountain ranges of the northern Rocky Mountains ------------ 202 3. Oblique aerial photograph of Mount Assiniboine, Banff National Park, Rocky Mountains----------------------------- 203 4. Sketch map showing glaciers of the Canadian Rocky Mountains -------------------------------------------- 204 5. Photograph of the Victoria Glacier, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, in August 1973 -------------------------------------- 209 TABLE 1. Named glaciers of the Rocky Mountains cited in the chapter -
JASPER from POINTS of INTEREST from Banff Jasper (Read Up) (Read Down) and BANFF - JASPER 184.5 "JASPER TOWNSITE (3,472')
Miles Miles THE BANFF-JASPER from POINTS OF INTEREST from Banff Jasper (read up) (read down) AND BANFF - JASPER 184.5 "JASPER TOWNSITE (3,472'). Headquarters, 0.0 Jasper National Park. Information Bureau, outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, hotels, bungalows, camp COLUMBIA ICE-FIELD ground. Miette Hot Springs, 38 mi. 183.9 JUNCTION with road to Athabasca River, 0.6 HIGHWAY Old Fort Point and Lac Beauvert Loop, and 2 mi. 183.5 BUNGALOWS. 1.0 183.4 MIETTE RIVER. Confluence with Athabasca 1.1 River. Scenic beyond adequate description, this spectacular high 182.8 BUNGALOWS. 1.7 way ranks among the great "highroads" of the world. For 180.3 WHISTLERS CREEK. Bungalows. 4.2 its entire length of 185 miles it commands some of the most 178.2 PORTAL CREEK. 6.3 breath-taking and majestic scenery in the Canadian Rockies. A panorama of mountain ranges, unbroken but ever-changing, Columbia Ice-Field 176.3 *ASTORIA RIVER, drains Amethyst Lakes. 8.2 along both sides of this highway keeps the visitor enchanted 176.2 JUNCTION, MT. EDITH CAVELL ROAD. 8.3 and enthralled. Arrow signs along the road point to features Angel Glacier, 9 mi. Tea Room. 7| mi. to of special interest, many of which are listed in this publica start of Trail to Tonquin Valley. 8 mi. to tion. Canadian Youth Hostel Unit. 171.2 CONFLUENCE, Whirlpool and Athabasca 13.3 Rivers. Brook trout. At places the Banff-Jasper Highway reaches a height of nearly 7,000 feet above sea-level. Many of the mountains visible in 170.6 VALLEY OF CROOKED TREES. -
Accommodations
14_837292 bindex.qxp 1/5/06 8:45 PM Page 261 Index See also Accommodations and Restaurant indexes below. GENERAL INDEX driving tours, 73-83 frontcountry camping, 29, 129–134 highlights, 61–63 ccommodations. See A information and reservations, 20–21, Accommodations index 24–25 Adventure outings, 38–40 nightlife, 142–143 Airplane tours, 231 organized tours, 38–39, 83–85 Air travel, 30 rules and regulations, 54–56 Alpine Club of Canada, 24, 73, 110, visitor centers, 53–54 125, 135–136, 205–206 winter sports, 9, 61–62, 113–117 Amethyst Lake, 18, 187 Banff Park Radio, 52 Angel Glacier, 13, 44 Banff Summer Arts Festival, 8, 70 Arnica Lake, 59 Banff Townsite, 61, 62, 67–68, 70–73 Athabasca Falls, 159 Banff Transit, 63 Athabasca Glacier, 157 Bankhead, 7, 73, 86, 90 Athabasca River, 167–168 Banks/ATMs, 56, 151 Beauty Creek, 179 Beehives, 95 ackcountry, 28–29, 33–36, 66, B Birdwatching, 74–75, 224, 257–259 102–107, 185–188 Boating permits, 29 Backpacking, 6–7, 14, 34–35, Books, 24–25 102–104 Boom Lake, 92–93 Bald Hills, 13, 171, 182 Bourgeau Lake, 5, 93 Banff Centre, 38, 49, 61, 70 Bow Falls, 62, 68 Banff Centre for Mountain Culture, Bow Glacier Falls, 99 49, 70 Bow Lake, 66, 70, 82, 99 Banff Festival of the Arts, 61 Bow Pass, 82 Banff Festival of Mountain Films, 61 Bow River, 62, 70 Banff Gondola, 59, 71 Bow Summit, 66, 101 Banff Information Centre, 58, 64, Bow Valley Parkway, 59, 62, 64, 74, 67, 85 92–94 Banff/Lake Louise Tourism Centre, 24 Brazeau Loop, 159, 185 Banff Mountain Film Festival, 8, Brazeau Valley, 100 70–71 Buffalo National Luxton Museum, 71 Banff Mountain Norquay, 114 Burgess Shale, 229–230 Banff National Park Bus travel, 31, 211 access/entry points, 52–53 COPYRIGHTEDaccommodations, 18–19, 118–129 MATERIAL backcountry, 10, 29, 102–107, -Level Cirque, 86 134–137 C Campgrounds, 10, 17–18, 59, 67, day hikes. -
Jasper National Park
Jasper Cover: Maligne Lake Ice bridge on Athabasca Glacier Rocky Mountain sheep A park naturalist explains the wonders of nature Introducing a park and an idea Some of the more common shrubs in the park are wild Canada covers half a continent, fronts on three oceans rose, buffalo berry, willow, alder, juniper, shrubby cinque- and stretches from the extreme Arctic more than halfway foil, silverberry, saskatoon berry, Labrador tea, red osier National Park dogwood and bearberry. to the equator. There is a great variety of landforms in this immense country, and Canada's national parks have been created to preserve important examples for you and The animals: each seeks its own habitat for generations to come. Animals, like plantlife, depend on suitable environment The National Parks Act of 1930 specifies that national for their survival. The mountain goat, marmot and pika parks are "dedicated to the people . for their benefit, usually inhabit the higher regions. Mountain sheep and education and enjoyment" and must remain "unimpaired elk are seen on the lower slopes, while the moose, mule for the enjoyment of future generations." deer, beaver and muskrat stay near the valley bottom. Jasper National Park, 4,200 square miles in area and In winter, animals which do not hibernate move to one of the largest parks on the North American continent, snow-free slopes or into the valleys, where food is more Alberta is notable for its magnificent mountain scenery and unique plentiful. natural wonders - relics of the Ice Age. Other mammals, such as the lynx, coyote, porcupine, The park is situated some 235 miles west of Edmonton black and grizzly bear, wolverine, marten and badger also and 258 miles northwest of Calgary. -
Visitor Guide
Visitor Guide If you see wildlife on the road while driving, STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE. Photo: Rogier Gruys Discovery trail Également offert en français For COVID-19 information go to: jasper-alberta.com/covid Photo: Ryan Bray Contents Welcome Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Safety is your Responsibility 4 The park is over 11,000 square kilometres. Explore all five travel Share the Roads 5 regions in Jasper National Park. Hike, bike, paddle, or simply breathe in the scenery. The choice is yours. Water Sports and Invasive Species 6 We respectfully acknowledge that Jasper National Park is Fort St. James National Historic Site 7 in Treaty Six and Eight territories as well as the traditional Five Park Areas to Explore 8+9 territories of the Beaver, Cree, Ojibway, Shuswap, Stoney and Métis Nations. We mention this to honor and be thankful for Around Town 10 their contributions to building our park, province and nation. Maligne Valley 12 Parks Canada wishes you a warm welcome. Enjoy your visit! Jasper East & Miette Hot Springs 14 Mount Edith Cavell 16 Icefields Parkway 17 Icefields Parkway Driving Map 18+19 Wildlife Identification 20 Species at Risk 21 Human Food Kills Wildlife 22 Park Regulations 23 Winter in Jasper 24 Campgrounds 26 Why are the trees red? 27 Directory 27 Mountain Parks Map 28 Photo: Drew McDonald Photo: Drew 2 Photo: Nicole Covey Jasper Townsite e v i 15 r D 11 t h g u a n n Explore the ways less travelled o 11 2 C 15 See legend 8e With millions of visitors every year, our roads and on p. -
Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, 2014 1086
Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Banff, 2014 GONE LIKE A GHOST: THE GHOST GLACIER FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT OUTBURST FLOOD, MT. EDITH CAVELL, JASPER NATIONAL PARK Rupert J.Wedgwood * Jasper National Park, Jasper, AB, Canada. ABSTRACT: During the evening of August 9th or early morning of the 10th 2012 the Ghost Glacier fell from the North Face of Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park. Approximately 125,000 cubic meters of ice fell close to a vertical kilometer onto a lower glacier and then a tarn which was full to overflowing with recent precipitation and the winter’s snowmelt runoff. The resulting wind blast and water displace- ment caused extensive damage to the park’s infrastructure within an area that receives high numbers of park visitors. After an extensive search and rescue response it was determined that, due to the timing of the event, nobody was missing or injured. The glacial lake outburst flood is representative of the hazards within a rapidly changing post glacial environment and presents challenging questions to risk managers in high visitor use areas such as the Canadian National Parks. KEYWORDS: Complex avalanche, Rocky mountains, ablation. 1. MOUNT EDITH CAVELL face (Fig 1). Mount Edith Cavell is located within Jasper Na- tional Park in the Canadian province of Alberta. The peak reaches an elevation of 3,363 m and at a distance of 21.8 km to the south of Jasper its north face is clearly visible from the townsite. The day use area is open during the summer months to the public many of whom are visitors to the area on vacation. -
Ecology & Wonder in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site
Ecology & Wonder Ecology & Wonder in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site Robert William Sandford Frontispiece: The © 2010 Robert W. Sandford Grand Sentinel The Grand Sentinel is a great Published by AU Press, Athabasca University stone tower located just below 1200, 10011 – 109 Street the summit of Sentinel Pass in Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8 Banff National Park. Were it located outside of the dense cluster of astounding natural Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication features contained within Canada’s mountain parks, it Sandford, Robert W. would be one of the wonders of Ecology & wonder in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage the world. As it is, it is just one Site / Robert William Sandford. more landscape miracle that can be seen from the summit Includes bibliographical references and index. of the pass. Issued also in electronic format (978-1-897425-58-9). Photograph by R.W. Sandford. ISBN 978-1-897425-57-2 1. Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site (Alta. and B.C.)--Environmental conditions. 2. National parks and reserves--Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site (Alta. and B.C.)--Management. 3. Environmental protection--Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site (Alta. and B.C.). I. Title. II. Title: Ecology and wonder. QH106.2.R6S26 2010 333.7’209712332 C2010-900473-6 Cover and book design by Virginia Penny, Interpret Design, Inc. Printed and bound in Canada by Marquis Book Printing. This publication is licensed under a Creative Commons License, Attribution- Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada, see www.creativecommons.org. The text may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, provided that credit is given to the original author. -
Northern Rockies
TransCanada Ecotours® TransCanada “This book wonderfully Let the Northern Rockies Ecotour set your compass Discover the secrets of a spectacular interlaces the physical, for a remarkable journey of discovery through the Canadian landscape with the biological and historical northern part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain qualities of one of Parks World Heritage site. 265 photos, 22 maps and TransCanada Ecotours® Canada’s iconic regions. 133 Ecopoints present the region’s rich First Nations An entertaining but highly history, exploits of early fur-traders, artists, mission- aries, tourists, and scientists, and the ongoing inter- educational account that Northern play of people, wildlife and their inspiring mountain will captivate all who ecosystem. The authors draw on current research traverse the Northern to discuss key environmental issues such as climate Rockies be it by bike, car, Rockies change and biodiversity conservation. train or vicariously from their living room.” You will explore the eastern foothills (Chapter One) Highway Guide ending in historic Grande Cache, then travel west on NIK LOPOUKHINE CHAIR IUCN WORLD COMMISSION the Yellowhead Highway (Chapter Two) following ON PROTECTED AREAS major rivers across the continental divide from Hinton Guide Northern Rockies Highway to Valemount, British Columbia. In the concluding Chapter Three, the Ecotour turns southwards from Jasper along the spectacular Icefields Parkway through the Rockies, ending near Lake Louise. See the full route map on page 5 INSTITUTE RESEARCH FOOTHILLS $24.95 P.O. Box 6330 A lavishly illustrated driving guide 133 points of interest, 265 photos, 1176 Switzer Drive to the landscapes, geology, ecology, 22 maps that include: Hinton, Alberta T7V 1X6 culture, people and history of the Hinton – Cadomin – Grande Cache – Canada Northern Rockies Region of Alberta Jasper – Valemount – and the and British Columbia.