OFFICIAL MOUNTAIN GUIDE of CanadianRockies.net www.rockies.com Index Pages and sections of the guide Page 1 Legend Pages 2, 3 Things to remember (safety rules in the Rockies) Pages 4, 5 Road reports (driving the Rockies) Pages 6, 7 Historical sites (map of the Rockies & places to visit) Pages 8-10 The National Parks of Canada: Jasper National Park Pages 11, 12 Town of Jasper (the town & surrounding areas) Pages 13-15 Banff National Park (map of the park & surrounding areas) Pages 16, 17 Village of Lake Louise (the village & surrounding areas) Pages 17-20 Kootenay National Park (the park & Radium Hot Springs Village) Pages 21-23 Yoho National Park (map of the park & town of Field) Pages 24-26 Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Parks (the parks & surrounding areas) Pages 27-29 Waterton Lakes National Park (map of the park & surrounding areas) LEGEND Park information centre 1 Point of interest Warden office E Exhibit Disabled access Viewpoint Hot springs Gas station Resto / meals Gondola Fishing Trekking Hiking Biking Horse riding Canoeing Swimming Cross country skiing Ski area Skating 1 Campground Playground Picnic tables Picnic shelter H Hostel Accomodation Sani-dump RV park Train station Bus station Ice tours Backcountry hut Caution Golfing Hospital Parking Restrooms Wheelchair/accesible - 1 - Things to remeber Safety rules in the Rockies Remember Now that you have decided to visit the come distracted. The most dangerous to follow Canadian Rockies, you are about to em- activity in Canadian parks is driving, so bark on a true love affair with breathtak- please be attentive when on park roads. these rules: ing scenery, interesting historical sites, Observe speed limits and pull over to the designated pull-out areas when you magnificent national parks, and some of • Never give wildlife food, including the friendliest people on the planet. wish to fully appreciate the sites. birds As you travel through Canada’s special Speed limits are: Human food is unhealthy for wildlife locales, you will find yourself in a world 90 km/hr (56 mph) on major roads of discovery and adventure, where each Acclimating wild animals to human new vista can open your eyes to a new 60 km/hr (37mph) on secondary roads food can make them become aggres- story. Here in the Canadian Rockies, you Wildlife along the roadside: will experience the vastness of nature, sive With such an abundance of wildlife it is where flora and fauna thrives in sur- • Always keep a safe distance from roundings that speak of a history that important to remain alert while driving goes far, far back in time. so as to avoid accidents. Here are a few wildlife tips for a safe and responsible journey: When traveling through the Canadian Use binoculars or a telephoto lens for a Rockies, it is important to treat your • Stay alert, even when a highway is closer view of animals surroundings with care. Here are a few fenced. Although fences have reduced things to remember as you enjoy your wildlife deaths, some animals may climb Stay at least 100 metres (10 bus adventure: or jump over or burrow underneath lengths) away from bears, wolves, and them. • It is against the law to disturb wildlife. cougars • Be extra careful around the sunrise and This includes touching, enticing, or Keep a healthy respect for wildlife, giv- harassing animals in any form. sunset hours. These are the times when animals are most active. ing them the space that they need to • Feeding wildlife is prohibited. • At night, watch for the shining eyes feel comfortable • If you travel with pets, they must be of animals. Try to scan ahead for their • Seal all garbage in wildlife-proof bins leashed. movements so that you can give them a • Disable any firearms that you may be wide berth. • Never leave food outside where it can carrying. • If you spot one animal, there are most be reached by wild animals • Leave all natural elements where they likely more nearby. • Never leave your pet unattended are. This includes flowers, rocks, or arti- • If you see an animal by the road, slow outside as it can be considered food by facts such as antlers. down and warn other motorists by bears, cougars, and coyotes • Do not leave graffiti or any other type flashing your hazard lights. • Deer, elk, and moose can be unpre- of mark on anything. • Watch for reduced speed limits of 70 dictable, especially females with their If you see anyone violating park regula- km/hr (43 mph) on major roads. This in- young and males during the mating tions, please call the Park Warden at: dicates areas where animals have been struck and killed. season (September through Novem- 1-888-WARDENS (927-3367) Wildlife in the parks: ber). Stay the recommended distance Please report all sightings of bears, away from these animals to avoid wolves, or cougars to the nearest park When hiking or camping in the parks, potential attacks. warden or to the information centre. there are several rules that will ensure Make sure you report any aggressive that both you and the animals that live • Dogs can be attacked by deer and elk in the area stay safe. Always remem- behavior shown by any animal, no mat- protecting their young. Make sure that ter how small. Some wildlife species are ber that the animals live in the area to when you walk your dog, you keep it monitored for research and safety pur- survive and as visitors in their habitat, poses, so this information is important. we must always be respectful of their closely leashed. Stay well away from habits and cognizant of how we share Driving in the mountains: deer and elk as they may attack, even their space. Ask park staff about wildlife when not provoked. With all the beautiful scenery that will safety and how you can help to main- surround you along with the abundance tain it, or read the Parks Canada wildlife • Caribou will react strongly to dogs of visible wildlife, it can be easy to be- publications found at www.pc.gc.ca because they resemble their main - 2 - moves away. Always leave the bear with an escape route. It is extremely rare for a bear to attack a person with its claws or teeth. Even if an encounter looks potentially aggres- sive, usually the bear will move away. If a bear does attack, it will be because predator, the wolf. To reduce a cari- help save the bear’s life. the bear feels defensive or because its bou’s stress and increase its chance for Bears in the parks behavior has become predatory. survival, many areas within the parks If the bear is feeling defensive it is usu- When you are in Canadian Rocky have been closed to dogs. Check with ally because it has been surprised. He Mountain parks, you are in grizzly and Parks Canada to see where you can or she may have been protecting or black bear country. Protecting these bring your pet. feeding cubs and sees you as a direct magnificent beasts is as much your threat. Remember that wolves, coyotes, and responsibility as those who tend the cougars are carnivores. The chance of parks. It is rare that bears will attack • If you have pepper spray, use it ac- these animals approaching a human humans in the mountain parks, but to cording to instructions. is slight, but if you do come in contact feel confident, there are certain things • If a bear makes contact, play dead. with one of them, send a clear message you need to know. Usually this is enough for the bear to that you are not prey: • Travel in groups. Groups of four or decide to walk away. • Pick up small children immediately. more are the least likely to be attacked. • Lie on your stomach with your legs • Face the animal and retreat slowly. Do • Look for fresh bear drippings, dig- apart, making it difficult for the bear to not run or play dead. gings, or paw prints. flip you over. • Maintain steady eye contact with the • Make noise to let bears know that • Keep your backpack on to protect animal. you are coming. Shout or sing loudly your back. • Try to appear bigger by holding your as their hearing is no better than ours. • Cover the back of your head and neck arms or an object over your head. This gives them time to move away. with your hands. • If the animal continues to approach, • Keep your dog on a leash at all times. If a defensive attack lasts more than deter an attack by yelling, waving a • Never approach a bear. Stay at least two minutes, the bear may have shifted stick or throwing rocks. 100 metres away. to a predatory position. In this case, fight back! It is very rare that a bear • If you are attacked, fight back. Hit the • Be extra cautious from late July to will stalk and attack you along a trail or animal with a heavy stick or a rock. mid-September, which is berry season. attack you at night in your tent. If this Bears along the roadside Berries are a bear’s favorite food. should happen: If you see a bear near the roadside, do If you do encounter a bear here are • Climb a tree or try to escape into a car not stop. If bears become too accus- some life-saving tips to remember: or building. tomed to seeing people, even when • Back away slowly. Never run. they are in vehicles, they begin to lose • If you can’t escape, do not play dead.