ALBERTTAA WELCOME 3 BRITISH COLUMBIACOLUMBIA Local History & Nature 4, 5 16 Fort Activities & Safety 6, 7 St. James JASPER National Wildlife Guide 8 – 11 Historic Site FIRE & ICE 20, 21 16

Jasper 12 - 19 5 23 - 25 93A Vancouver 28 - 29 32 - 33 93 MOUNT REVELSTOKE & 36 - 37 National Parks Columbia IcefieldIcefield MORE MAPS inside Rocky Mountain 11 House National Crossing Historic Site

Photo © Terry Willis Wildlife and Safety GLACIER YOHO 93 BANFF Information inside 1 Field 23 Golden 1 1 1A Banff Revelstoke 1 Canmore MOUNT 1 Vancouver REVELSTOKE KOOTENAY 93 British REVELSTOKE Columbia 95

Radium 2004/20052004/2005 Hot Springs BRITISH ALBERTA Aussi disponible en français COLUMBIACOLUMBIA Cranbrook Proud stewards of world-class heritage: PARKS

All visitors to Canada’s national parks require a Park Pass. Welcome PARK PASS fees help fund: ▲▲▲ to Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, maintenance of park roads, trails, and day use areas Yoho, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks public safety programs and of Canada. park rescues visitor information and interpretation services. DAILY and ANNUAL National Park You Are Visiting Passes are sold at park gates, Photo: Wayne Lynch information centres and staffed A National Treasure... campgrounds. The idea of a Canada-wide system of protected areas took root here. now protects and presents 41 National Parks and 149 National It’s big. Information Centres Historic Sites, each representing a significant aspect of the landscape and It’s beautiful. our history. These national parks and historic sites characterize our country It’s also fragile. Drop in for: and define who we are as Canadians. Parks Canada holds them in trust for ?

all time: ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲maps, brochures, guide books trail, weather and avalanche The are hereby dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, reports education, and enjoyment… and shall be maintained and made use of so as to leave them unimpaired safety information about for the enjoyment of future generations. wildlife, hazardous activities Maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity, through the protection of natural resources and natural and conditions processes, shall be the first priority… when considering all aspects of the management of parks. warning, closure, and use restriction notices Canada National Parks Act, 2000 trip planning assistance for hikers, backpackers, climbers and skiers And A World Heritage Site Too! backcountry campsite reserva- Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, together with the provincial parks tions and wilderness passes of Hamber, and , are recognized internationally national park fishing licenses as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. TheCanadian Rocky Mountain Parks World park passes Heritage Site is one of the largest protected areas in the world. Educational Exhibits Discover the e Look for this symbol. stories behind the scenery. Interpretive Programs We invite you to Ask about our: explore the unique ▲▲▲▲▲▲ campground theatre shows nature and culture guided tours and walks of Canada’s national junior naturalist programs parks and national film and slide shows historic sites. roving interpreters Photo: Brenda Falvey Water...on the Rocks! show

See park maps for INFORMATION CENTRE locations and phone numbers. 3 CULTURE Celebrate the stories of our past.

All Aboard! Blasting a railway through these rock walls was no easy feat. Yoho National Park’s Spiral Tunnels bear witness to this engineering mar- vel. The Walk in the Past Trail features an engine abandoned after the First Peoples, First Presence building of these tunnels. The self guiding Abandoned Rails Trail in For early Native people, these mountains were both sacred places Glacier National Park includes remnants of early snowsheds built for and a source of game, fish, and other supplies. Archaeological evi- rail line avalanche safety. dence from Banff’s suggests Aboriginal people But in 1885, Canada achieved the impossible, completing its coast-to- arrived here about 11 thousand years ago. coast railway. The arrival of the train brought tourists, resorts, and a Though the Stoneys, Cree, Ktunaxa, and Plains Blackfoot passed lifeline to the newly-established Park (now Banff through these valleys, few settled for long. Some journeyed to mineral National Park), this young country’s first national park. The creation springs such as Kootenay National Park’s Paint Pots to gather ochre. of Glacier, Yoho, and Jasper National Parks soon followed, as more An iron-based mineral, ochre was baked, crushed, mixed with grease, and more visitors discovered the beauty of this mountain landscape. and used as a paint for tipis, pictographs, and personal adornment. For a brief period, lumber and mining industries flourished here. Banff’s Bankhead and Jasper’s Pocahontas coal mines boomed in the early 1900s. Today, you can wander among the ruins on self guiding trails. By 1930, a new National Parks Act set resource protection as the parks’ priority, ending such industrial activities.

11,000 years of Aboriginal history - Byron Harmon Collection

Crossing the mountains - Field, B.C. c.1904

A Lasting Legacy The parks brought people – all kinds! By 1920 tourists came by automobile, along Canada’s first central trans- David Thompson at work mountain motor route, to the newly- established Kootenay National Park. Pushing the Boundaries Some flocked to world famous attrac- Mention the fur trade, and the names of David Thompson tions like Banff’s Cave and Basin and Simon Fraser are inescapable. These men mapped and Springs, now a national historic site. explored over a million square miles of western Canada at the The more adventurous climbed with turning of the 19th Century. While charting new trading Swiss guides up uncharted peaks in areas to the Pacific, Thompson explored the Howse and the Columbia Mountains, often using Athabasca Passes, both now recognized as national historic historic Glacier House as a base. sites. He frequented posts in the area of Rocky Mountain Between 1886 and 1903, almost 40 of House National Historic Site and established Kootenay Glacier National Park’s mountains House. Simon Fraser established many trading posts, were climbed for the first time. Today including Fort St. James National Historic Site, in British you can tour the site of Glacier Columbia, before heading down the river which now bears Discover how Canada’s National Park system began House near the Illecillewaet his name. at the Cave and Basin Campground. Other legends like Sir George Simpson and National Historic Site. Captain John Palliser visited too, eyeing the West for its resource and settlement potential.

4 See ACTIVITIES & SAFETY, pages 6 & 7. Feel the power of this landscape. NATURE

At The Top On The Slopes If you could view this land from the vantage point of a soaring Dark, dense stands of spruce and fir clothe the mountainsides. golden eagle, you would see that about half of it is bare rock, ice Much snow falls and accumulates here during the winter, pro- and snow, and treeless, tundra-like meadows. The alpine environ- tected by the forest canopy from the drying forces of sun and ment is harsh: winds, temperatures, ultra-violet radiation, and wind. Summer hikers will notice that, while nowhere near as moisture stresses can be extreme, growing seasons may be as short lush as the rain forests further to the west, these subalpine as a few weeks and soils are meagre. Yet a surprising variety of "snow forests" are carpeted with moisture-loving mosses and creatures, from ground-hugging alpine plants to agile mountain mushrooms. You may spot the occasional moose here, or goats, are adapted to these conditions. You are likely to see pikas, signs of the elusive lynx. More commonly sighted inhabitants hoary marmots and ptarmigan here. Grizzly bears spend a good are the porcupine, who lives on needles and bark, and the part of their lives in alpine meadows, digging for roots or rodents, pine marten, whose diet includes mice, voles, squirrels and or sleeping the winter away under a blanket of snow. birds. The lovely alpine larch, famous for its golden needles in the fall, thrives near treeline. Avalanche slopes are important The feeding areas for wildlife – use binoculars to scan them. Alpine Zone The Subalpine Zone

The Montane Zone The Cedar Hemlock Rainforest in In The Valleys Mount Picture the landscape around the townsites of Banff and Revelstoke Jasper: dry grassy meadows and open forests of trembling & Glacier National aspen, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and white spruce. With a Parks relatively long growing season, and little snow cover during the winter, the wide valley bottoms of the Rocky Mountains provide a good year-round food supply for elk, deer and bighorn sheep – and, of course, for their predators, the wolf and the cougar. Black bears live in this montane ecoregion, and it is important habitat for grizzlies too, especially in the spring when higher elevations remain snow-covered. Also common in valley bottoms are wetlands, rich in aquatic “In wildness is the and bird life. Amazingly, all this activity is concentrated in a very small – but very vital – portion of the parks: less than 5% of Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. preservation of the world.” In the more westerly and much wetter Selkirk Mountains, where Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National - Henry David Thoreau Parks are located, valley bottoms contain a complex community of plants dominated by very old, very large western red cedar and western hemlock. Mountain caribou, pine siskins, and devil’s club can be found here.

See our WILDLIFE GUIDE, pages 8 - 11. 5 ACTIVITIES Create memories to last a lifetime.

To get the most out of your visit: This is the perfect Take a Guide place to tune in to Explore the parks with a local guide. nature – to appreciate Whether your interpretive guide works it, respect it, and for Parks Canada or for a private company licensed to operate pledge to protect it. within the mountain national parks, we

share a common commitment to pro- Photo: Al Williams viding you with knowledgeable guides and stimulating, safe adventures. Everywhere... On the Water Under the Stars NATURE WATCHING SWIMMING CAR CAMPING & PHOTOGRAPHY There’s nothing more refreshing Parks Canada offers a choice of Anywhere and any time, take a than a dip in a clear, cold mountain about 30 road-accessible camp- moment to stop and quietly observe lake on a hot summer’s day. You grounds throughout the six parks, your natural surroundings. Chances probably won’t want to stay in for providing a range of facilities from Look for this logo as your guarantee of are you’ll find something of interest. long, though! primitive to full service. high quality educational experiences. It could be as grand as a mountain First come, first served. SOAKING www.mphia.org sunrise, as tiny as an alpine flower, Demand for the more ‘urban’ camp- or as exciting as finding cougar At the other temperature extreme grounds is heavy in July and August. tracks in the snow... are the steaming mineral springs in As campsites cannot be reserved in Become a Friend Banff, Jasper, and Kootenay advance, please plan to arrive by National Parks. What better way to early afternoon or consider staying relax after a day on the trail? We’ll Take You Places... Along the Road at a more remote campground. Join your Friends for a historical walk- FISHING Coming in 2005 – campground reservation system in some locations. ing tour, guided hike or educational The practice of catch and release SIGHTSEEING See MAP pages event. Visit the Friends’ gift shops to angling is encouraged; lead weights We have scenic drives, roadside for front-country campground see a complete list of events. viewpoints, interpretive exhibits and live bait are prohibited. You must have a National Park fishing permit locations and amenities. and easily-accessible strolls for peo- NOTE: Camping is allowed in Friends Make a Difference... ple of all ages, abilities and interests. valid in the park in which you are fishing, and follow all regulations. designated campgrounds only. Friends carry a large selection of See MAP pages for details. books, maps and unique gift ideas. BOATING BACKPACKING Proceeds support educational If you can buckle up a life jacket, You’ll really get a taste of the wilder- programs, research, publications you can enjoy a quiet canoe on a ness if you spend a night or two out and projects. On the Trail calm, alpine lake. Travel on moun- in it. Before heading out you must Find your Friends at: tain rivers, however, should only be purchase a Wilderness Pass and ON FOOT attempted by well-informed and obtain current safety information. Friends of Banff Whether you hike, cross-country ski experienced paddlers. Motor boats Reservations may be required for or snowshoe, hundreds of kilometres the more popular backcountry The Bear & the Butterfly are prohibited on most park waters. of trails – from easy to challenging – campsites; these can be made up to Banff Park Information Centre lead into this spectacular mountain SKATING 3 months in advance. Lake Louise Visitor Centre scenery. What could be more Canadian than skating on a frozen Rocky Mountain On the Peaks Friends of Jasper BY BIKE lake? Natural ice conditions in the parks Jasper Park Information Centre Mountain bikes are permitted on are not monitored; make sure the ice is MOUNTAINEERING certain park trails. When done at least 15 cm (6 in) thick. Opportunities abound for experienced Friends of Kootenay safely and with respect, mountain climbers, scramblers, and ski tourers. Park Information Centre in biking can be a great way to ‘get Or hire a guide, and learn as you go. out there.’ Books, Gear SKI AREAS

Friends of Yoho ▲▲ BY HORSE OR SLED Friends’ gift shops and local In Banff National Park: (403) Yoho Visitor Centre in Field Take a couple of hours, or a few bookstores sell topographical Banff Mount Norquay...... 762-4421 days, to explore the parks as the old- maps and trail guide books. Skiing Louise ...... 522-3555 Friends of Mt. Revelstoke timers did. Guided horse trips, Sunshine Village ...... 762-6500 & Glacier sleigh rides and dog-sledding are Equipment rentals are available at outdoor stores and in larger (780) Rogers Pass Discovery Centre offered in some locations. In Jasper National Park: hotels. ...... 852-3816

6 Visit PARK INFORMATION CENTRES for brochures, maps, schedules, passes & permits. Special places require special rules. REGULATIONS

The awe-inspiring In our National Parks, be sure to: scenery can pose some Give Wildlife awe-inspiring hazards too. Space

It is against the law to touch, The most common risks, entice, disturb or otherwise harass any wild animals – big or small. and how to avoid them, are described here. Keep Food Away From Wildlife

Feeding any park wildlife is prohibited. Always keep coolers Driving Weather Falling stored in vehicles. Pick up litter and Statistically, it’s the most Never underestimate the power of All it takes is a slippery slope or a dispose of garbage in bearproof dangerous activity in the park. weather in the mountains. momentary lapse of attention... bins. ▲▲▲▲ ▲ ▲ ▲▲▲▲ ▲ ▲▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲▲▲ ▲ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ Obey ▲ posted speed limits: ▲ 90 ▲ Check the local weather ▲ forecast ▲ ▲ ▲▲ Keep away from the edge. Put Pets On km/hr max (56 mph) on major before heading out, but be prepared Avoid slippery patches on trails routes and 60 km/hr max (37 mph) for anything. Conditions can change and rocky areas adjacent to A Leash on secondary roads. rapidly in the mountains, from canyons, waterfalls and streams. Make allowances for other drivers, minute to minute and from place to Heed warning signs, and stay Unrestrained pets may harass who may be in a hurry, lost, or dis- place. Generally, the higher you go, behind safety fences. wildlife, provoke wildlife attacks tracted by the scenery... the colder and windier it gets. Be aware that high elevation trails and endanger people. Be prepared for a variety of condi- Take along clothing to protect you may be covered by snow or ice tions; it may snow in summer at until mid-summer. Leave It For higher elevations. from wind, cold, rain or snow. Dress in layers; adjust to prevent Falling into a crevasse can be fatal; Others To Enjoy Slow down in bad weather or stop glacier travel should only be somewhere safe and wait it out. overcooling or overheating. attempted by experienced and Use sunglasses and sunscreen, Whatever treasure you find – be it a Watch out for cyclists. They may properly equipped mountaineers. be difficult to see, especially from even on overcast or cool days. rock, a flower, an antler or an his- an RV. Do not drive on the road Ultraviolet radiation is stronger at toric artifact – it belongs where it is. shoulder. higher elevations. Reflection from Watch out for wildlife: snow or ice can damage your eyes. Obey Closures See pages 8, 9, 10 & 11. Rock & Ice There is a lot of loose rock in the and Restrictions Rocky and Selkirk Mountains. Be Driving in WINTER conditions takes Weather Restrictions may be imposed, or alert for rockfall whenever you are extra care: Banff, Kootenay, areas may be temporarily closed for in steep terrain. & Yoho...... (403) 762-2088 safety or environmental reasons. Slow down if the road is snow-cov- Glacier ice on steep slopes or cliff Jasper...... (780) 852-3185 Restricted areas and closures are ered or if visibility is poor. edges can collapse at any time. Do marked with signs. Watch out for black ice, especially not walk on or beneath overhang- on bridges and near water. ing ice or snow. Disarm The use of cruise control is not Wilderness Firearms recommended. Hazards are part of the wilderness Avalanches Snow tires, all-season radials or environment. Reduce the risks by Firearms must remain in your vehi- chains are required by law for following these guidelines: You are in cle at all times, unloaded, and in a travel on all roads except Hwy #1 AVALANCHE ▲▲▲▲▲ ▲ ▲▲▲ ▲▲ case or wrapped and securely tied and #16. Research your trip before you go. country. so that no part of the firearm is Tell someone where you’re going It is a good idea to equip your car Drivers should avoid stopping in exposed. with a shovel, flashlight, blanket, and when you will be back. posted avalanche zones. food and extra warm clothing. Take along a map. Back- country skiers, boarders and Help Protect Cell phone reception outside of Bring water, food, and extra clothing. snow-shoers must know how to recognize and travel in avalanche People And The Park townsites is unreliable. Travel with others, and keep your terrain. Each member of your group together. Call 1-888-WARDENS if you Road Conditions party should carry a shovel, Stay on the trail; retrace your steps transceiver and probe, and know see anyone violating park For all 6 parks.....(403) 762-1450 if unsure of your route. how to use them. regulations. Be prepared to stay out overnight, Safety Registration just in case. A search takes time. Please report all bear, cougar, or Parks Canada offers a Voluntary Avalanche Hazard wolf sightings, or aggressive behaviour by any wildlife to the Safety Registration service for Trail Conditions 1-800-667-1105 people engaging in potentially nearest Park Warden Office or www.avalanche.ca hazardous activities. Ask at ? . Banff only...... (403) 760-1305 Information Centre.

Remember, you are responsible for your own SAFETY! 7 If you are Prevent conflicts with wildlife. approached by They may sometimes appear unconcerned by our presence, but a PREDATOR: all park animals are unpredictable and potentially dangerous. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. Do not approach or entice wildlife. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens instead. Remain at least: ➔ 100 metres (10 bus lengths) away from BEARS, COUGARS and WOLVES.

Stephen Krasemann ➔ 30 metres (3 bus lengths) away from ELK, DEER, SHEEP, GOATS and MOOSE. If you are approached by a cougar, wolf or coyote, send a clear message NEVER LEAVE FOOD ATTRACTANTS that you are NOT potential prey.

▲▲▲▲▲▲ ▲▲ out for wildlife. Pick up small children immediately. Food attractants include: Yell. Don’t forget the ✖ coolers (they are NOT bearproof!) Do anything you can to make yourself look small stuff! ✖ food scraps or leftovers ✖ dishwater bigger. Wildlife experts predict that ✖ dirty dishes, pots or barbecues West Nile Virus may have Be prepared to use pepper spray if you ✖ empty bottles, cans or wrappers reached the mountains by this summer. Remember to have it. ✖ toothpaste, soap or other toiletries use insect repellent. Fight back aggressively if attacked. ✖ pet food dishes (full or empty) ✖ pets DO NOT crouch, play dead, run, or turn your back to the animal. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS To a carnivore, your PET may look at all times. appetizing. Because it is impossible to predict how wildlife will react in any situation, avoiding Keep dogs on a leash, walk them in open encounters is the only sure way to keep people safe and wildlife wild. areas and during daylight hours only. ✔ Always be on the lookout for animals or signs of their presence. Do not leave pets unattended outside. ✔ Carefully supervise children whenever outdoors. ELK are wild animals too!

“My wife and I visited your national park last September. One morning we saw some elk near the road. We stopped a safe distance away. While I made my camera with a 500 mm telephoto lens ready to take a photo of this big elk, another car appeared. The driver left his car and walked toward the elk to take a close picture. The elk seemed to become angry about this and chased him back across the road, where he hid behind his car. This was the moment when I took this picture. It shows clearly that your recommendation to stay at least 3 bus lengths from an elk really Getting too close to elk is hazardous. makes sense!” Attacks have occurred at any time of the year. Females are most aggressive during the May/June - submitted by Claus-Peter Ernst, Mainz, Germany calving season, and males are especially dangerous during the September/October rut.

8 See page 7 for PARK REGULATIONS. Watch out fo r animals near the road. What should I do if I see Drive with care and be prepared to avoid a collision at all times. Be especially cautious at dusk and dawn, when many a BEAR? animals are most active, and visibility is poor. IF YOU SEE AN ANIMAL If you are driving: stay in your car, and BY THE ROAD: consider not stopping. See pages 9 & 11. ✔ Slow down. It could run out into your path at any time. ✔ Warn other motorists by flashing your hazard lights. If you are not in a vehicle:

Give Them the ▲▲▲ ▲ ▲▲▲ ▲ ✔ Where there is one animal, Stay calm. If a bear rears on its hind legs and expect others nearby. Space They Need waves its nose about, it is trying to identify Please do your part to limit the impact that you. Remain still and talk calmly so that it IF YOU WISH TO so many people have on park wildlife. Give knows you are human and not a prey animal. all the animals you see the respect they Bears may also bluff charge: run toward you STOP AND VIEW deserve and the space they need. Enjoy a and turn away at the last moment. A scream safe visit and ensure that future ROADSIDE generations have the chance to see wildlife or sudden movement may trigger an attack. WILDLIFE: that is truly wild. Pick up children, stay in a group. ✔ Pull safely out of traffic. Back away slowly, don’t run. ✔ Remain in your vehicle. Leave the area. If this is impossible, wait until ✔ Move on after a few minutes. the bear leaves; make sure it has an escape route.

IF YOU SEE To reduce your risk of a surprise encounter: A BEAR… Make noise. Clap, sing or yell to announce your presence, especially where a bear might Consider not stopping. not otherwise smell, hear or see you coming. (Bear bells are not very effective.) Travel in groups, on established trails, and Why? during daylight hours. See page 11. Minimize odours by proper storage of food, Terry Willis garbage and toiletries. Please SLOW DOWN for wildlife. Leave the area if you see a bear or fresh tracks, droppings, diggings; or if you come across a large dead animal (a bear may be nearby).

The speed limit on major park roads is 90 km/hr (56 mph). If you surprise a bear and it defends A lower speed limit of 70 km/hr (43 mph) may be posted itself: in known high collision areas. The speed limit on the parks’ Use bear spray if you have it. PLAY DEAD, let it scenic secondary roads is lower still, usually 60 k/h (37 mph). know you are not a threat: lie on stomach with legs apart, cover back of head and neck with hands, keep pack on to protect your back.

If a bear stalks you and then attacks, or Drive as if their lives attacks at night: Try to escape, use bear spray if you have it. depended on it. FIGHT BACK, let it know that you are not easy prey. (This kind of predatory attack is very rare.)

See page 10 for WILDLIFE WATCHING TIPS 9 WILDLIFE Watching Tips Keep park Try “Seton watching”. Staying ALIVE... Find a comfortable, safe spot, and just sit quiet- ly and observe. Watch how creatures interact with It’s not easy to ‘make a living’ here in the each other and their habitat. You’ll be amazed at mountains. Wildlife must devote all what nature will reveal! available energy to simple survival: feed- Bighorn Sheep ing, resting, staying warm or cool enough, avoiding natural dangers, and Act small. producing healthy offspring. Resist that impulse to get close, reach out, or call out to wildlife. Use binoculars and telephoto Every time we disrupt these natural activ- lenses. Your best chance of observing truly wild ities we are, in effect, taking energy away nature is to become as insignificant as possible from their survival ‘bank account.’ With ....but stay safe. millions of people visiting our mountain Retreat immediately if an animal parks every year, these ‘withdrawals’ can approaches you or shows any sign of quickly add up to ‘dead broke’. aggression. See page 9 for SAFETY in BEAR, COUGAR and ELK country. Staying WILD... See small. Is there a difference between a wild bear The big creatures get all the press, but there just and one in a zoo? We can only guess at aren’t that many of them out there. It’s more what the bear might think. But from our rewarding to look for the smaller ones. Interest – perspective, isn’t the very thing that like beauty – is largely in the eyes of the beholder. makes wild animals so attractive to us the fact that they are indeed wild? Think big. While observing the activity at an ant’s nest, for Unfortunately, when animals become Black-billed Magpieexample, contemplate Black Bear the ant’s role in the bigger used to being around people, they are in picture–as a model of society, perhaps, or as an danger of losing that very thing that important source of food for grizzly bears. makes them special, their wildness. Intrude less. How can we keep Cherish the knowledge that there are creatures park wildlife living wild and free out there, whether you see them or not. Buy a wildlife postcard and write WILD and ALIVE? about hearing wolves howl, or finding lynx tracks.

Clark’s Nutcrakcer Clark’s Parks Canada staff are trying to teach Learn more. some bears to avoid busy areas by using noise-makers, flares, rubber bullets and Join a Parks Canada interpretive program, hire a even specially trained bear dogs. We call guide, read one of the many books about the this nature of the mountains. Indulge your curiosity! aversive conditioning. You may also see crews and signs along Do not feed or disturb park roadways asking for your help in

Cougar wildlife. preventing animal jams, dangerous traf- fic jams around roadside wildlife. Please See page 7 for PARK REGULATIONS. do your part; every action counts!

Columbian Ground Squirrel Coyote Elk Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Grizzly Bear

10 Stephen J. Krasemann wildlife WILD – and ALIVE. WILDLIFE If you see a bear beside the road, consider this: Gray Wolf

BEAR AT It may run onto the road. RISK At any time, anywhere. And especially if there are crowds of people stopping to watch it, getting out of their cars, approaching too closely. In the past 10 years, 125 bears have Stephen J. Krasemann been killed on roads in the mountain national parks. It is stronger and faster than you are. It may look ‘docile’, but a bear that appears unconcerned about Red Squirrel your presence is the one you should fear the most. It’s obviously not afraid of you, and it could be getting a bit bothered by all the people who keep disturbing it – all day long, day after day... It is likely eating or looking for food. Bears have to eat almost constantly during the snow-free months to accumulate enough energy to survive their long winter hibernation. Being able to feed undisturbed may make the difference between life or death for that bear or, if it’s a female, for her offspring: though she may have mated in the spring, she can’t get pregnant unless she builds up enough body fat over the summer. Pine Marten It could be a female. In this harsh mountain environment, it takes a female grizzly 7 years to reach breeding age, and her cubs will stay with her for 3 or 4 years. This means she may only produce two litters of offspring in her lifetime – a very low reproductive rate. The unnatural loss of any individual, especially a female, is therefore a serious threat to the long-term survival of the population. It could be an adolescent. Trying to find its place in a difficult world, an adolescent bear is highly susceptible to picking up bad habits (like losing its natural fear of people) and getting into trouble (by approaching

people for food). The fact that relatively few roadside adolescent bears survive Mule Deer to maturity Pika in our busy parks is one of the reasons that scientists fear for the future of the grizzly in this part of the world. If it loses its wildness, it probably won’t survive. ‘Habituated’ bears – bears that have lost their natural fear of humans – almost inevitably become ‘problem’ bears. They actively seek out places where people congregate because they have learned that where there are people, there is also food and garbage to eat. Over time they become increasingly more aggressive in their search for an easy meal. Problem bears usually end up having to be removed or destroyed because of the threat they pose to public safety. It is very difficult, and often impossible, to undo habituation. The only real solution is prevention. If you see a bear beside the road, consider not stopping.

Stephen J. Krasemann White-tail Deer Hoary Marmot Least Chipmunk Goat

Stephen J. Krasemann 11 BANFF TOWNSITE Plenty of opportunities

CANADA PLACE Canada’s first national park 8 In the Park Administration 13 10 km (15 minutes) from Banff was created around the Building at the head of Banff on the Minnewanka Loop warm mineral springs Avenue; 760-1338 Rediscover Canada. at Banff. e FREE ADMISSION. The Stoney Indians called it the Visit the Cave and Basin • interactive exhibits about Canada’s "Lake of the Water Spirits". for the full story. land and people • you are likely to see bighorn sheep • great for families and tour groups – enjoy but please do not feed them

SUMMER (MAY 21 - SEP 30) 10 am - 6 pm • 2-hour boat tours to the end of Elevation: 1384 m the lake (762-3473) are available (4540') CASCADE GARDENS MID-MAY to OCTOBER 9 By the Park Administration • take a leisurely lakeside stroll to Stewart Canyon (1.4 km, 30 min) CAVE & BASIN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE 2 Building, at the head of Banff Ave. • historic gardens are most colourful in JULY and AUGUST JOHNSON LAKE BANFF INFORMATION CENTRE BOW & BANFF SPRINGS 14 1 • Siksika Nation tipi JULY-SEPT, 14 km (20 minutes) from Banff 224 Banff Avenue; (403) 762-1550 4 FALLS HOTEL National Historic Site native dancing TUESDAYS at noon on the Minnewanka Loop Magnificent views from either ? e side of the LUXTON MUSEUM Watch our video: Welcome to Banff. 10 of the Plains Indians An easy trail circles this shallow lake. • full Parks Canada and Banff/Lake UPPER HOT SPRINGS POOL 1 Birch Avenue; 762-2388 • a small beach and good wildlife Louise Tourism Bureau information 5 4 km, Mountain Ave.; 762-1515 watching opportunities services e • Friends of Banff gift shop e Native history, art and culture SPRING (MAY 21 - JUN 24) 8 am - 6 pm Relax in Banff’s curative mineral SUMMER (JUN 25 - SEP 6) 8 am - 8 pm waters and soak in some history. CASCADE PONDS Trails Around Town FALL (SEP 7 - SEP 26) 8 am - 6 pm 11 • locker, swimsuit and towel rentals 5 km (10 minutes) from Banff WINTER (SEP 27 - MAY 20) 9 am - 5 pm • for full service spa, call 760-2500 on the Minnewanka Loop • Wonder of Water exhibit 15 THE HOODOOS 2 CAVE & BASIN A short interpretive trail unlocks the National Historic Site SUMMER (MAY 21 - SEP 12) 9 am - 11 pm WINTER SUNDAY-THURSDAY: 10 am - 10 pm A favourite with locals and visitors alike mystery of these bizarre natural pillars 1 km, Cave Avenue; 762-1566 and leads to a superb viewpoint. FRIDAY & SATURDAY: 10 am - 11 pm • grassy meadows, clear shallow pools, and a small beach e BANFF GONDOLA & It’s the birthplace of Canada’s 6 16 VERMILION LAKES Historic Weather Observatory Guided nature strolls offered weekday national park system. 4 km, Mountain Avenue 12 BANKHEAD • see the bubbling thermal waters of 8 km (12 minutes) from Banff mornings in summer; preregister at the "Cave" and the "Basin" springs on the Minnewanka Loop Friends of Banff stores. Connects with e FENLAND TRAIL, a 2 km loop. • exhibit gallery upstairs, 30-minute Enjoy panoramic vistas of the Bow film in theatre by the Basin spring Valley and surrounding peaks. e • free interpretive boardwalk trails • the upper gondola terminal is A coal mine in a national park? 17 SUNDANCE TRAIL • tours at 11 am, daily in summer 2285 m (7495') above sea level; • Lower Bankhead: once a thriving This wide 3.7 km asphalted trail, pop- and weekends in winter call 762-5438 for hours and fees. industrial centre, now it is a place ular with hikers, cyclists and skiers, • LIVE Water on the Rocks Theatre • in summer take a 1 km (20 min.) to wander among the quiet ends at a picnic shelter. From there, a Show, see page 21 more strenuous 2.1 km trail, for hik- boardwalk trail to the summit, his- ruins along a 1.1 km (30 min) SUMMER (MAY 15 - SEP 30) 9 am - 6 pm ers only, loops up into the canyon. toric weather observatory and the interpretive trail WINTER WEEKENDS 9:30 am - 5 pm Cosmic Ray Station National Full round trip is 9.5 km • Upper Bankhead: 80 years ago WEEKDAYS 11 am - 4 pm Historic site. (3+ hours). Connects also with the it was a bustling community, now 2.7 km MARSH LOOP TRAIL. NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE FEES WHYTE MUSEUM it is a popular picnic area and Fees for the Cave & Basin 7 OR the : of the trailhead 18 SUMMIT Adult $ 4 Youth $ 3 111 Bear Street; 762-2291 • from NOV 15 - APR 15, the road You’ll get a birds-eye view of Banff Senior $ 3.50 Family $ 10 Mountain history, to Bankhead is closed to vehicles Townsite and the along e art and culture this well-travelled path. Round trip is BANFF PARK MUSEUM 4.6 km, with a 300 m elevation gain BANFF PARK MUSEUM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE 3 National Historic Site 3 (2-3 hours). Watch your step at the Banff Avenue by the top, especially in slippery conditions. e Bow River Bridge; 762-1558 A Century-Old Western Canada's oldest natural Showpiece HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR history museum Elegantly rustic architecture Throughout the town, dark blue oval • hands-on Discovery Room and a historic collection of plaques describe Banff’s history and • relaxing Reading Room mammals, birds and insects heritage buildings. Pick up the • tours daily in summer at 3 pm, provide an enchanting intro- Historical Walking Tour brochure and weekends in winter at 2:30 pm duction to Banff's natural route map at the Banff Information SUMMER (MAY 15 - SEP 30) 10 am - 6 pm and cultural heritage. Centre or the Town of Banff office at WINTER (DAILY) 1 pm - 5 pm 110 Bear Street (762-1200). 12 BANFF NATIONAL PARK: pages 16 & 17 LAKE LOUISE: page 19 to enjoy Banff's natural and cultural heritage.

L E G E N D Stewart Park Information Canyon P 13 Lake Centre Hot Springs Hostel Minnewanka M Point of inn Mount 1 Horse Riding Gondola Warden Station ewa Interest (p. 12) nka Inglismaldie

MINNEWANKA 2963 m

Exhibit Golfing Gift Shop Sani-dump Station L 9722' o

o LOOP p Disabled Access Fishing Boat Launch Trailer Drop-off Upper (not to scale) Bankhead Viewpoint Swimming Ski Area Picnic Tables TWO JACK MAIN Two Jack p o CAMPGROUND o Trailhead Parking Biking 1 Campgrounds Picnic Shelter L Lake 4 Hiking Trail Canoeing EMERGENCIES - 911 Hospital TWO JACK LAKESIDE CAMPGROUND

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PARK RADIO 101.1 FM i M Tune in to the OFFICIAL radio station of Banff National Park for:

• park news This section Overflow • weather, road and trail Camping is CLOSED Johnson conditions. NOV. 15 – APRIL 15. Lake We also feature documentaries on local area history and nature. Cascade 14 Listen to us on the Internet: 11 Ponds www.friendsofbanff.com

Lake Minnewanka Interchange

1 B Cascade C Mountain anm ore A 4 2997 m , C 0 alg a M 9833' ry i l e

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1 A L Z N spring to protect wildlife. D O E FENLAND W W L L IL Y W See page 17. A ST O TRAIL R . B JU E 1 L M GO I PHER E O U O E U 16 B O N N IBM T IN T L A AR T ER A Y N C U E V I o N B S N Ech ek X F B R L Johnston re E F K 5 C A E O D A R R A W THE A R R V V Canyon E T IV E km E T 1st N R BANFF E N 1A WHYTE U O I E L P Vermilion FA CENTRE W EY A B UF MUSEUM O B N LL R W 7 I VA K Lake W D OW BANFF PARK E B A 3 S Y MUSEUM B O ow L C

R - LUXTON i E ve Avoid parking IV r D SKIING R MUSEUM H G A D 2nd BIRC L O  10 EN B R hassles – take Banff S o LOUISE E SP w P K Vermilion M R Fa O 2 A O A ll PUBLIC TRANSIT. L 8 U Y s LO N Lake N 4 IO Recreation T E

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A N D P A e E Y N ouis NU U Lake L E R R M AV E NI A E P AN Mount R AV S H C A A 3rd S J R N Rundle H CIE K GLA L E LO U AN 2948 m Vermilion O Lake P 9673' S BANFF IL ING RA PR SPRINGS T E S M DL OU HOTEL SH ID NT MAR M AIN A VE NU 2 CAVE AND E 17 BASIN NATIONAL S p HISTORIC SITE UPPER HOT r E TRAIL a NC SPRINGS POOL y A 5 R SUNSHINE ND DISCOVERY SU iv e TRAIL r Sanson Peak 2270 m BANFF 7449' 6 GONDOLA

Sulphur Mountain 13 BANFF NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA

The name Banff comes ALONG THE ICE FIELDS from Banffshire, Scotland, PARKWAY (93N) the birthplace of two major MISTAYA CANYON financiers of the Canadian 5 72 km (50 minutes) from Pacific Railway. Lake Louise Only ten minutes by trail from the Established: 1885 road Size: 6,641 km2 • look for rounded potholes and a (2,564 mi2) natural arch on the canyon sides

SASKATCHEWAN CROSSING ALONG THE BOW VALLEY 6 77 km (55 minutes) from PARKWAY (1A) Lake Louise

Plan to stop at roadside viewpoints - ICEFIELDS PARKWAY and the new interpretive exhibits 4 Three rivers converge here: along this scenic road between Banff • the from the south– and Lake Louise. ALONG THE TRANS- ALONG THE ICE FIELDS "mistaya" is Stoney for "great bear" CANADA HIGHWAY (1) PARKWAY (93N) • the from the west–this Distance (km) from was the route used in 1807 by fur e Banff/Lake Louise Drive with care on this busy thor- Named for the chain of icefields that trader and explorer David Thompson Backswamp 3 / 49 oughfare. Look for two animal over- roofs the Rockies, this is one of the to cross the Great Divide Mule Shoe 6 / 46 ✔ passes just west of Banff, built to world’s great mountain highroads. • the North Saskatchewan from the Prescribed Burn 8 / 44 allow wildlife to cross the road safely. The drive from Lake Louise to the north–arising in the Columbia Sawback 11 / 41 ✔ town of Jasper takes half a day, with Icefield and emptying into Lake time to stop and admire the views. Hillsdale 13 / 39 2 SUNSHINE MEADOWS Winnipeg, this extensive river corri- Pilot Pond 16 / 42 15 km (20 minutes) from Banff via dor provided a major east-west link Moose Meadow 21 / 31 #1 and the Sunshine Road across Canada for over 100 years 3 34 km (25 min) from Castle Cliffs 26 / 24 Explore on your own • services available MARCH - NOVEMBER Lake Louise 28 / 24 ✔ or take a guided hike. • summer visitors can hike or take the A century ago, there were Baker Creek 40 / 12 ✔ bus service (678-4099, June to three "toes" of ice here. 7 120 km (1.4 hours) from Morant’s Curve 48 / 4 September) up the steep 5 km road • How many can you see today? Lake Louise from the parking lot to the ski area Explore the land JOHNSTON CANYON and access to the trails BOW SUMMIT, PEYTO LAKE above the trees. 1 25 km (30 minutes) from Banff 4 40 km (30 minutes) from • a short but steep trail (250 m / 820' e Lake Louise elevation gain, 2.4 km/1.5 mi return) 2088 m (6849') up Parker Ridge ends with a great A paved trail and exciting cat-walks PARKS CANADA e above sea level view of the cling to the canyon walls. ? Information: (403) 762-1550 • a short walk from the parking • 1.1 km (20 min) to the Lower Falls area leads to a view of brilliant • 2.7 km (1 hr) to the Upper Falls Commercial Services turquoise Peyto Lake and, in July 8 130 km (1.5 hours) from For safety’s sake, stay on the trail s Information: (403) 762-8421 and August, an astonishing array Lake Louise and away from the edge. of alpine flowers See Jasper National Park, page 24/25. - BOW VALLEY PARKWAY 9 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

167 km (2 hrs) east of Saskatchewan Crossing on Highway #11; (403) 845-2412 e ?

The rivalries, struggles and triumphs of the fur trade come to life at this historic site. Experience interpretive presentations, 7 km of nature trails, a Playfort and a bison herd. Explorer, fur trader, and map-maker David Thompson used Rocky Mountain House as a base to find a pass through the mountains. • MAY 22 - SEP 6, 10 am - 5 pm Photo: Douglas Leighton 16 BANFF TOWNSITE: pages 12 & 13 LAKE LOUISE: page 19 The birthplace of Canada’s national park system

To Town of Jasper, I C E F I E L D S P A R K W A Y # 9 3 JASPER NATIONAL PARK (233 km from Lake Louise) Speed Limit: 90 km/hr (56 mph)

Ask for the Icefields Parkway brochure. Nigel Pass 8 WHITE GOAT This road passes through remote, high altitude WILDERNESS terrain. Weather and driving conditions can be AREA COLUMBIA severe; road closures are not uncommon, 0 10 20 30 Kilometres

ICE- 7 especially in winter. There are no services Miles www.pc.gc.ca/ Athabasca NORTH along this route NOVEMBER - MARCH. 0 5 10 15 FIELD Pinto Lake Chains or all-season radials required in winter. Sunset Saskatchewan Pass A Park Pass is required. No commercial trucks allowed. SASKATCHEWAN River 13 Amery xandra Wilson B O W V A L L E Y P A R K W A Y # 1 A Ale 11 To ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE 9 93 National Historic Site Speed Limit: 60 km/hr (37 mph) RI (167 km from Saskatchewan Crossing) VER Saskatchewan Lyell 6 Crossing You can access the parkway 5 km west of Banff, at Erasmus , and at Lake Louise. Watch out for ke a wildlife. Glacier L 5 SIFFLEUR Howse WILDERNESS Sarbach Si TRAVEL RESTRICTION IN EFFECT: AREA ffl

Forbes e To protect wildlife, we ask that you do not travel on the ur R portion of this road marked between iver Chephren Icefall L E G E N D Chephren Johnston Canyon and Banff, from MARCH 1 to JUNE Malloch Lake 12 River 25, between 6 PM and 9 AM. Use the Trans-Canada

How Noyes banff Park Information Centre se Pass Ri Highway instead during these times. Commercial Dolomite ver facilities along the Parkway remain open. Point of Interest (p.16) Mistaya ICEFIELDS 1 Lake Clearwater Clearwater

Exhibit River Peyto Cre Freshfield 4 e Disabled Access Lake k Katherine Viewpoint Blaeberry Lake River Bow L. Red Deer T R A N S - C A N A D A Hiking McConnell H I G H W A Y # 1 3 Biking 11 Speed Limit: Hector L. Dormer Drummond Canoeing 90 km/hr (56 mph) Cyclone 70 km/hr (43 mph) near

93 Box 900 Banff, AB T1L 1K2 1 Campground PAR Douglas Lake Louise Lake River Picnic Tables Daley KWAY The highway is 4-lane, Douglas Skoki r divided and fenced east Picnic Shelter Lakes the Pan of Castle Junction Hostel (where #93 heads south), Bonnet Flint and 2-lane, undivided Accommodation 1 ? CreekPu LAKE and unfenced west of To Field, e P lsa LOUISE a s ti Ski Area ll Castle Junction. YOHO NATIONAL PARK s a (27 km from Lake Louise, L. Louis 9 10 Cascad Gasoline Temple 85 km from Banff) Victoria 1A e Gift Shop Baker GHOST 8 J Sawback Aylmer ohn Lake RIVER Castle ston River E M E R G E N C Y Moraine L. WILDERNESS 1 7 Ck AREA Ambulance, Fire Boom L. R.C.M.Police Lake 911 1 Minnewanka WARDENS - 24 hr Cascade 5 6 4 To Radium, 1A AREA CODE (403) 93 Storm Ck KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK rth BANFF Warden Office 762-1470 (132 km from Banff, Red Ea Pilot ? 130 km from Lake Louise) 1 2 3 Ball Rundle B A N F F N A T I O N A L P A R K C A M P G R O U N D S Bourgeau BOW 1 Brew Canmore # FULL ELEC FLUSH DRY SHOW SANI DIS INTERP Egypt L. OPEN DATES SITES H-U ONLY TOIL TOIL -ERS DUMP ACC PROG 2 Sunshine ster 1 Tunnel Mt. Village I May 3 - Oct. 4 618 RIVER Creek Spray 2 Tunnel Mt. Village II Year Round 188 all 3 Tunnel Mt. Trailer Court May 3 - Oct. 4 321 all MOUNT Calgary (128 km Two Jack Main ASSINIBOINE 4 May 21 - Sept. 7 380 PROVINCIAL from Banff) PARK Allenby River 5 Two Jack Lakeside May 21 - Sept. 20 74 Pass 6 Johnston Canyon June 4 - Sept. 20 132

Lakes 7 Castle Mountain May 21 - Sept. 7 43

8 Protection Mountain June 25 - Sept. 6 89 L. Spray rvel 9 Lake Louise Trailer Year Round 189 all Ma 10 Lake Louise Tent May 21 - Oct. 1 210 11 Mosquito Creek Year Round 32

12 Waterfowl Lakes June 18 - Sept. 19 116 Spray Burstall Pass Pass 13 Rampart Creek June 26 - Sept. 6 50 For up-to-the-minute Opening and closing dates are weather dependent. park and weather Arrive early - campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. information, tune in Coming in 2005 - Campground Reservation System in some locations. to the Banff Park FULL H-U = full hook-up • DIS ACC = disabled access • INTERP PROG = interpretation program radio station: FIRE PERMIT REQUIRED where fireboxes & firewood are provided. 101.1 FM.

Want some Mountain W(h)IT? Try Water... on the Rocks! (p. 21) 17 LAKE LOUISE …icon of the Canadian Rockies.

Known to the Stoney Indians Lake Louise VISITOR CENTRE as "Lake of the Little Fishes" 1 By the Samson Mall; (403)522-3833 3 15 km (20 min) from the Village Sprucing up the Lake Louise was named in 1884 in honour of Princess ? e e promenade! Louise Caroline Alberta, Exhibits explain the geology and Nestled in the Valley of Work begins this spring on landscape daughter of Queen Victoria. history of the Canadian Rockies. the Ten Peaks improvements along the popular prome- • Parks Canada interpretive centre • hiking restrictions in effect: ask at ? nade at the shore of Lake Louise. We ask • full information services (see p. 3) • open late May to early October for your patience as this large project is Elevation: • Friends of Banff maps and guidebooks • Moraine Lake Road becomes a ski carried out. Every effort will be made to Village: 1540 m (5052') sold here trail in winter (closed to vehicles) maintain safe access to the lakeshore Lake: 1731 m (5680') SPRING (MAY 1 - JUN 24) : 9 am - 5 pm and to key photo locations. Watch for SUMMER(JUN 25 - SEP 6) : 9 am - 7 pm HERBERT LAKE alternate routes while work is in progress. FALL (SEP 7 - OCT 11): 9 am - 5 pm 4 6 km (8 minutes) from the Village, on WINTER (OCT 12 - APR 30): 9 am - 4 pm the Icefields Parkway A photographer’s Take a hike LAKE LOUISE — the Lake dream. (or ski, or snowshoe). 2 • panoramas of the main range peaks 5 minutes from Lake Louise, the Village There are more than 75 km of trails in of Lake Louise, including Mt. Temple the Lake Louise area, the “Hiking e Capital of the Rockies.” Inquire at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre for MAPS and current 5 SIGHTSEEING GONDOLA trail, BEAR, and AVALANCHE reports. Mountains and surround this 4.5 km from the Village; 522-3555 "Diamond in the Wilderness". Some routes may have restricted access • Why is the lake such a wonderful e – check ahead to avoid disappointment. colour? Read the interpretive signs. Gondola runs JUNE - SEPTEMBER.

Larch Valley Moraine Lake 3 Sentinel Pass Ask at 2 Lake Louise Plain of Six Glaciers Eiffel Lake for special Wenkchemna Pass hiking requirements Consolation Lake in this area.

e mlin L E G E N D Tra Paradise B Valley Park Information Road closed Warden Station Centre o OCTOBER - MAY 5km

Point of Interest Horse Riding x IVE 1 D 14 km DR ROA ISE INE LAKE OU MORA L k Exhibit Ski Area E 2 LAK e re C Disabled Access Gondola Lake Louise power e 1 k is YEAR e u 9 No tents or softsided re o

Campground (p. 17) Skating 3 ROUND e C L 1 trailers April to October. uis NOT TO SCALE Lo Picnic Tables Canoeing Lake Louise unserviced MAY 21- L 10 Tents and softsided OCT.1 Hostel Accommodation

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19 Essential Elements of a

As you drive through the mountain national parks you may see signs of recent forest fires. You may even be tempted to explore these eerily blackened landscapes. But be aware that burned trees can be unstable and may fall without warning.

If you chose to travel in burned areas, reduce your risk by taking these steps:

• Make sure the fire is out! Obey

warning signs and closures. If you Photo: Grant Peregoodoff see any smoke, leave at once and notify park officials. FIREFIRE • Wait for favourable weather. Risk is highest with high winds and rain FIRE has been part of this or snow. Risk is lowest when there is no wind and no precipitation. landscape since the last Ice Age. • Travel quickly to lower exposure For thousands of years, periodic fires maintained a variety of habitats on these slopes and in these time. Stop only in open flat areas, valleys: a healthy mixture of young, middle-aged and old forests, shrublands and open meadows. at least one tree length from stand- Almost a century of successful fire-suppression has turned that patchwork quilt into an even-aged ing trees. blanket of mature forest. Parks Canada is now working to restore biodiversity and reduce the risk of uncontrollable wildfire by selectively burning some areas, and allowing some lightning-start- • Spread your group out to reduce ed fires to burn – when and where this can be done safely. the risk of multiple casualties.

• Avoid contact with burned trees or roots – this may cause them to Beauty for the Beasts fall. Some people may find burned forests disturb- • Stay away from steep slopes. ing, or downright ugly. But fire has an impor- Fallen trees may slide downhill. tant role to play here. It opens up dense forests and turns branches, leaves, and dead wood into • Leave the area or take shelter if instant fertilizer. Blackened, sun-warmed and trees or branches are falling. nutrient-rich soil allows rapid regrowth of plants, providing abundant food for elk, Although fire is a necessary part moose, sheep, deer, hares, bears and several of mountain life, uncontrolled species of songbirds. Burned but standing tree wildfires still pose a serious threat trunks are havens for insects, which in turn feed to public safety. woodpeckers and many other small creatures.

Be very careful with matches, cigarettes and campfires and... REPORT ALL WILDFIRES! Photo: Brad White, Parks Canada 911 20 Healthy Mountain Ecosystem

Wonder of Water The Wonder of Water is a two-year cel- ebration of the importance of water to our way of life. Hundreds of events are being held throughout the Rockies to highlight how our landscape and cul- ture have been shaped by what water Photo: R.W. Sandford is and by what water does. Experience & the wonder of water through guided & ICEICE walks, boat tours, art exhibits, theatre productions and dozens of special ICE has shaped these mountains events. After you get home, turn on your tap. You will see water for the for million of years. miracle it truly is. Imagine these valleys filled with giant rivers of ice, grinding relentlessly away at the moun- tain sides. Several Ice Ages over the past 2 million years have sculpted the dramatic scenery that surrounds you. The glaciers you see today, clinging to our highest peaks and passes, con- tinue this age-old process. The Glaciers’ Gift Turquoise glacier-fed lakes set amongst towering, glacier-carved cliffs move us to describe them in jewel-like terms. And there’s nothing like the vast, cold indifference of an icefield to inspire respect for nature’s grandeur. But glaciers provide us with much more than scenic wonders. Glacial ice provides a steady supply of life-sustaining fresh water – here in the mountain national parks, and for all the communities, farms and industries downstream too. Currently, much more glacial ice melts during the summers than is replenished by snowfall in the winter. If this warming and drying trend continues, these glaciers will soon be gone. How will our landscapes look, and function, then?

Photo: Al Williams, Parks Canada 21 JASPER TOWNSITE Discover our charm.

A National The park was named after a former fur trading post Historic Site, too! in the area called Jasper Constructed in 1914 to house the House, which was named park superintendent and administra- after Jasper Hawse, who tion offices, this is one of the finest managed this post in the examples of rustic architecture in early 1800s. Canada’s national parks. The use of local cobblestone and timber helped Elevation: 1067 m define the character of Jasper’s early (3500') development, and created a conspicu- ous landmark for visitors. JASPER INFORMATION CENTRE 1

JASPER INFORMATION CENTRE JASPER-YELLOWHEAD MUSEUM PATRICIA & PYRAMID LAKES LAKES ANNETTE & EDITH 1 500 Connaught Drive; 2 400 Rd; 852-3013 4 5/7 km (10/15 min drive) 5 5 km (10 min), via Hwy 16 and (780) 852-6176 Discover the On the Pyramid Bench Jasper Park Lodge Road e spirit of Jasper. ? e • permanent exhibits feature Jasper’s e Enjoy! The heart of Jasper history Beautiful blue-green spring-fed lakes • full Parks Canada and Jasper Tourism • monthly exhibits in Showcase Gallery • enjoy the 2.4 km (45 min-1.5 hr) and Commerce information services SUMMER(MAY 22 - SEP 6) 10 am - 9 pm • Patricia L. has a 4.8 km (2-3 hr) fully accessible interpretive trail • interpretive program information FALL (SEP 7 - OCT 11 daily) 10 am - 5 pm loop trail by Cottonwood creek around Lake Annette • Friends of Jasper store WINTER (OCT 12 - MAY 21, 10 am - 5 pm • Pyramid L. is accessible to wheel- THURS - SUN only) chairs, skating in winter OLD FORT POINT SPRING (APR 1 - JUN 24) 9 am - 5 pm 6 1.5 km (5 min drive) from town SUMMER(JUN 25- SEP 5) 8:30 am - 7 pm 3 THE PYRAMID BENCH via 93A and Old Fort Point Road FALL (SEP 6 - SEP 26) 9 am - 6 pm An important travel PARKS CANADA Overlooking the wide (SEP 27 - OCT 31) 9 am - 5 pm corridor for wildlife ? Information: (780) 852-6176 WINTER (NOV 1 - MAR 31) 9 am - 4 pm • a variety of scenery and trails for Commercial Services • a fairly steep 3.4 km (1-2 hr) trail all abilities s Information: (780) 852-3858 takes you to great views

Pyramid Horse corrals Bench Trails Pyramid Patricia & 3 (3 km) Bench Trails 4 Pyramid Lakes mid (7 km) Pyra Lake Road P Aspen Cabin Close C n C nto a o re n m b d e e E i k n P p r P s at op C ric lar A B ia J C h Bonhomme u C r s 2 n r A Lodge i e ee pole P a p lign o k MUSEUM B ci e Ma RCMP tri r Py oad o Pa le T ramid R n irc o ke d h x n La i C

P w qu M Colin A o ad m o a lo in s m R t il a REC POOL & p K ri l a m r c i e a i W g FIELD ACTIVITY ie m a y ik n e T n B e l u e CENTRE P G o r 1 o re Birch E a e t l ls ia p n M m ic s i i a tr e , P e C m a g V G t P d e t t 0 a ik e e gh Lo n ie LIBRARYLIBRARY d au c P a n d o C a r on a Lake u on tr et P C o v n ici urr R e C au a T H Edith r N g e 16 h c J R t u POSTPOST 1 r P p OFFICEOFFICE S ? a 16 l 5 s e z a RRAILWAAILWAY JASPER H BBUSUS STATIONSTATION PARK p DEPOTDEPOT INFORMATION CENTRE R e E Trefoil Lake V I Lakes Annette r R Mildred , In dustrial Area Lake

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n Point Loop Warden Office WHISTLERS a f r f 4 , y EMERGENCIES - 911 WAPITI

23 JASPER NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA

7 Jasper National Park is the 30 km (30 min) south of largest and most northerly Jasper via #93A or the of the six mountain parks – Icefields Parkway, #93 with abundant opportunities to discover and enjoy its e natural beauty. A bridge and platforms give views of the thundering falls. Stay on the trail and inside the Established: 1907 protective fences. Size: 11,228 km2 • access to ski trails in winter (4335 mi2) GOATS AND GLACIERS Photo by Brenda Falvey 8 38 km (35 min) from Jasper MIETTE HOT SPRINGS 3 on the Icefields Parkway, #93 The mineral-rich soil here attracts mountain goats. MIETTE HOT SPRINGS 1 • use the parking lot; it is very dan- 3 61 km (1 hr) north-east of Jasper 5 27 km (30 min) from Jasper 7 km (15 min) from Jasper via gerous to stop on the road #93 and Whistler Road via #16 and Miette Hot Springs on the Maligne Road e Road; (780) 866-3939 e 9 55 km (40 min) from Jasper The flows in, Visit the alpine zone. e on the Icefields Parkway, #93 • tramway open APRIL to OCTOBER; These are the hottest mineral but where does it flow out? (780) 852-3093 springs in the Canadian Rockies. • this lake is drained by one of the largest underground river systems • or you can walk up: 7 km,1200 m • two hot pools kept at 40°C (104°F), A paved road and short in elevation gain (3-5 hours one way) and a refreshing cool plunge pool trail lead to the falls. • from the tramway’s upper terminal, • towel and swimsuit rentals • commercial services are available SPRING (MAY 1 - JUN 10) 10:30 am - 9 pm a steep 1.5 km (1-1.5 hrs return) MAY 8 - OCTOBER 15 (JUN 11 - SEP 6) 6 48 km (55 min) from Jasper trail leads to the summit SUMMER 8:30 am - 10:30 pm Stay away from the edge. • bring warm clothing and water FALL (SEP 7 - OCT 11) 10:30 am - 9 pm on the Maligne Road WINTER (OCT 12 - APR 30) Closed e 2 CAVELL 10 103 km (75 min) from Jasper 29 km (30 min) south of Jasper 4 MALIGNE CANYON 0n the Icefields Parkway, #93 via #93A and the Cavell Road 11.5 km (15 min) east of Jasper Touch the toe The beauty of this lake is legendary. on the Maligne Road e of a glacier! • commercial services are available e • in summer a short access road leads e JUNE to OCTOBER A switchback road climbs 14.5 km to an interpretive trail to the glacier (9 mi) to a popular viewpoint. Take the 3.7 km interpretive trail • reservations are recommended for • for a quieter experience, visit before with foot-bridges over the canyon. the boat tour; (780) 852-3370 Glaciers are beatiful but • access to ski trails in winter dangerous. Please read and 10 am or after 4 pm Stay away from the edge. • trailers are not permitted; vehicles heed the safety signs on site. • commercial facilities are open longer than 6 m not recommended “The word ‘park’ seemed a very • the Cavell Road is open JUNE to MID MARCH - OCTOBER 11 ICEFIELD CENTRE OCTOBER, as snow conditions permit • in winter: ask about guided canyon small name for so great a thing.” 103 km (75 min) from Jasper • road is a ski touring trail in winter walks – it is unsafe to descend into - J.B. Harkin on the Icefields Parkway, #93 • Cavell Meadows Trail is closed in the canyon without a guide spring until the snow melts (usually ? e early to mid-JULY) to protect fragile alpine plants and recent trail MALIGNE LAKE 6 Open MAY 1 - OCTOBER 15. restoration work • Parks Canada information services, drop in or call (780) 852-6288: FORT ST. JAMES • interpretive displays in the Glacier National Historic Site Gallery reveal the stories behind the great Columbia Icefield 536 km (6 hrs) north-west • for guided “Ice Walks” call of Jasper via #16 and Prince (780) 852-5595 or 1-800-565-7547 George; information: • for Brewster "SNOCOACH" tours (250) 996-7191 onto the glacier, book your trip at e the Centre or call (403) 762-6735 SPRING (MAY 1 - JUN 10) 9 am - 5 pm A fully restored 1800s SUMMER (JUN 11 - SEP 5) 9 am - 6 pm Hudson Bay Company post. FALL (SEP 6 - OCT 15) 9 am - 5 pm Exhibits and demonstrations People with severe heart or lung reveal the historic partner- conditions should note that the ship between fur traders and Icefield Centre is at an elevation of people. 2000 m (6500') above sea level. • MAY 22 - SEP 30 24 JASPER TOWNSITE: page 23 BANFF NATIONAL PARK: pages 16 & 17 A rugged and diverse landscape

0 10 20 30 Y E L L O W H E A D H I G H W A Y # 1 6 Kilometres Miles 0 5 10 15 Speed Limit: 90 km/hr (56 mph) Follow the centuries-old route of the fur traders. CH Smo OWN GLAC Azure Rock EAST of Jasper Townsite: stop at IER k Lake y (780) 852-4767 National Historic Site viewpoint, Talbot Lake, and the Blue Creek unusual Sand Dunes at Jasper Lake; it is 4 hrs to

Twintree Cr Edmonton. Lake ee k WEST of Jasper Townsite: the road ascends the Topaz lowest pass in the Canadian Rockies; it is 4 hrs to Prince Lake C A L George, 5 hrs to Kamloops, 6 hrs to Fort St. James Swoda B R I T O L B E R T A National Historic Site (see p.27) and 8+ hrs to Vancouver. Riv Snake Indian e CALUMET U M B I A r GLACIERS Indian I SH Calumet nake Peak S M I E T T E R O A D

Moosehorn Speed Limit: 60 km/hr (37 mph) Snake Indian Falls Upright The Miette Hot Springs are an hour’s Robson Brûlé MT. ROBSON Lake Edmonton drive from Jasper. Stop at the ROBSON PROV. PARK River Pocahontas Coal Mine Interpretive Trail, GLACIERS (370 km) Cr and the Ashlar Ridge viewpoint. The Roche Ronde ee k road is open MID-MAY to MID-OCT as 16 L E G E N D Celestine snow conditions permit. Snaring R Lake www.pc.gc.ca/ Park Information Centre iver 1 Fiddle Roche M A L I G N E V A L L E Y R O A D 1 Point of Interest (p. 24) Miette Jasper Mystery Exhibit Snaring Lake Lake Speed Limit: 60 km/hr (37 mph) Prince George Talbot Lake 3 Watch for wildlife along this scenic Disabled Access (363 km) and Miette Fort St route. Maligne Lake is an hour’s Utopia leisurely drive from Jasper Townsite. 1 Campground National Ro R c Historic Site k iver Bridgeland 2 y Picnic Tables (550 km) I C E F I E L D S P A R K W A Y # 9 3 Picnic Shelter 16 Pyramid Yellowhead Roche Pyramid Bonhomme R Speed Limit: 90 km/hr (56 mph) Ski Area Lake Lake iver The Parkway takes you along the Hiking 5 Kamloops 4 Jacques backbone of the continent on its 230 km (439 km from JASPER Maligne Lake Cross Country Skiing Jasper) and journey from Jasper to Lake Louise, 1 and through scenery you’ll never forget. Vancouver 3 Tekarra Viewpoint Whistlers 4 Beaver Ask for the Icefields Parkway brochure. (791 km) Five Medicin 5 Lake Lake Warden Station s Lak e NOTE: This road passes through

e jasper H I G H W A Y 9 3 A 93 remote, high altitude terrain. Weather River Hostel A 5 T and driving conditions can be severe; Speed Limit: Amethys H Tram t road closures are not uncommon, Lake ABA 60 km/hr (37 mph) S Cavell C especially in winter. There are no The A Accommodation This scenic road provides Ramparts Lake services NOVEMBER - MARCH. access to the Edith Cavell 2 93A Sani-dump Station A Park Pass is required. Road and Athabasca Falls Moab 6 Lake 7 Athabasca No commercial trucks allowed. Hot Springs from MID-JUNE to MID- Falls Maligne Kerkeslin OCT, as snow conditions Lake iver Samson EMERGENCY permit. R Ger Peak dine al- 8 Ambulance, Fire In winter, car access is Lakes Cairn 6 Charlton Maligne R.C.M.Police 911911 limited to the Marmot Fryatt WARDENS - 24 hr Basin ski area and the 7 Southesk River Christie Meeting of the Waters Lake River AREA CODE (780) Sunwapta Monkhead picnic area; closed sec- Whirlpool Brussels Southesk Peak Falls Brazeau Dalhousie Warden Office 852-6155 tions become ski trails. 9 HOOKER Sunwap ICEFIE RIVER BRAZEAU LD ICEFIELD J A S P E R N A T I O N A L P A R K C A M P G R O U N D S ta River # FULL ELEC FLUSH DRY SHOW SANI DIS INTERP obokt OPEN DATES SITES H-U ONLY TOIL TOIL -ERS DUMP ACC PROG Fortress P an River 1 Pocahontas May 21 - Oct. 10 140 Lake Gong 8 Cree Olympus Lake Jonas ver k 2 May 21 - Sept. 19 66 Ri Cree Brazeau 93 Poboktan Lake k zeau 3 Whistlers May 7 - Oct. 10 781 77 100 ba Wooley Sunwapta Bra 4 Wapiti (summer) *June 18 - Sept. 12 362 40 Cha Alberta Wapiti (winter) Stanley 4 Oct. 11 - May 5 93 40 Falls Marble 5 Wabasso June 24 - Sept. 5 228

6 Mt. Kerkeslin June 24 - Sept. 5 42 Chaba Kitchener 7 Honeymoon Lake May 21 - Oct. 10 35 COLU 11 9 Jonas Creek MB The Twins Snowdome 8 May 21 - Sept. 19 25 IA ICEFI 10 ? 10 ELD 9 Columbia Icefield May 21 - Oct. 10 **33 Columbia 10 Wilcox Creek June 10 - Sept. 19 46 Opening and closing dates are weather dependent. Reservations can be made at Pocahontas Campground ONLY: 1-877-737-3703 Lake Louise Elsewhere, all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis - arrive early. (230 km from Jasper) and Coming in 2005 - Campground Reservation System in some locations. Town of Banff, FULL H-U = full hook-up • DIS ACC = disabled access (288 km from Jasper), INTERP PROG = interpretation program FIRE PERMIT REQUIRED where fireboxes and BANFF NATIONAL PARK firewood are provided. *Also open May 21-24 **Tents only

Don't missWater... on the Rocks! See p. 21 for details. 25 KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA

From glacier-clad peaks along the Continental Divide to the The Fires of 2003 dry grassy slopes of the Last summer was Kootenay’s most active fire season in living memory. All fires Columbia Valley, where even were started by lightning. The largest, cactus grows, this is a place the Tokumm-Verendrye fire, burned rich in variety. 12.6% of the park. In total nearly 400 firefighters from every The Banff - Windermere Highway province and from 22 national parks and (#93 S) is a scenic 94 km historic sites across Canada worked to drive through the park. protect park facilities and stop the fires from spreading into the Bow Valley. Established: 1920 Size: 1406 km2 2 Rebuilding in (543 mi ) 2004 FIREWEED TRAIL 10 The Tokkum Creek fire burned bridges and railings along the Marble Canyon trail and 1 KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK 5 OLIVE LAKE PAINT POTS portions of the Marble Canyon camp- VISITOR CENTRE 13 km (15 minutes) from Radium 8 85 km (1 hour) from Radium ground. The campground will re-open this 7556 Main St. E., Radium Hot summer, but the trail will likely remain Springs (250) 347-9505 e e closed for part of the season. In the village of This has always been A 20-minute walk from the parkway Some backcountry trails may also be Radium Hot Springs a natural stopping place. ? • cold, iron-rich mineral springs bubble closed in 2004 for safety reasons – ask • on the corner of Main Street East • an interpretive trail bordering the up through small pools, staining the for details at park information centres. and Redstreak Campground Road clear, shallow lake explains why earth a deep ochre • full Parks Canada information • panels describe the Aboriginal and services (Spring and Summer only) KOOTENAY VALLEY Viewpoint mining history of the Paint Pots Past Fires Bring • Friends of Kootenay gift shop 6 16 km (20 minutes) from Radium New Life (see page 20) 9 MARBLE CANYON SPRING (MAY 21 - JUN 24) 9 am - 5 pm e 88 km (1 hour) from Radium SUMMER (JUN 25 - SEP 6) 9 am - 7 pm Stop here for a dramatic overview of: FALL (SEP 7 - 12 DAILY) 9 am - 5 pm • the Valley e (SEP 13 - OCT 11, FRI/SAT) 9 am - 4 pm • the Mitchell & Vermilion Ranges Burned in 2003 – see sidebar SINCLAIR CANYON CONTINENTAL DIVIDE: 2 1.5 km from Radium KOOTENAY PARK LODGE 10 Vermilion Pass, Fireweed Trail A dramatic entrance-way, just 7 VISITOR CENTRE 95 km (1.2 hour) from Radium inside the park’s West Gate 63 km (45 minutes) from Radium • a few minutes ahead are the iron- ? e rich cliffs of the Redwall Fault It’s the dividing line between The forests burned in the 2001 Mount • watch for bighorn sheep Located at Vermilion Crossing Shanks fire are now full of wildflowers. • offers most Parks Canada informa- Pacific and Atlantic watersheds. • elevation of the Pass: 1651m (5415') This is also one of the best places in the VALLEY VIEW Interpretive Trail tion services; no telephone 3 • a 15-minute interpretive trail park to find woodpeckers. O km from Radium APR 9 - MAY 16, FRI - SUN) SPRING ( 11 am - 6 pm loops through the regenerating The 1968 Vermilion Pass burn now pro- Enjoy views of the (MAY 21 - SEP 26) SUMMER 10 am - 6 pm forest, the site of a large wildfire |in vides prime habitat for the elusive lynx e Columbia Valley. (OCT 1 - 3 & OCT 8 - 11) FALL 11 am - 6 pm 1968 and the mighty moose. Wolves and bears • start this 1.8 km (30 min) trail WINTER Closed have also been seen here. behind the Visitor Centre or at Explore for yourself how forests are Redstreak Campground RADIUM HOT SPRINGS POOLS 4 renewed after fire along the Fireweed Interpretive Trail (#10). RADIUM HOT SPRINGS POOLS 4 3 km from Radium; (250) 347-9485 Getting Out There

Explore Kootenay National Park at any At the base of Sinclair Canyon’s time of the year – but first make sure sheer rock wall you are well prepared. • hot, relaxing pool is 40°C (104°F) • cool, refreshing pool is 29°C (84°F) Visit an Information Centre for • locker, swimsuit and towel rentals hiking or skiiing MAPS and for • massage and spa services by current trail, BEAR and appointment; 347-2100 AVALANCHE reports.

SUMMER (MAY 9 - OCT 13) 9 am - 11 pm WINTER FRIDAY & SATURDAY 12 noon - 10 pm Some routes may have restricted SUNDAY -THURSDAY 12 noon - 9 pm access – check ahead to avoid disappointment. Photo: B. Falvey 28 BANFF: pages 16 & 17 JASPER: pages 24 & 25 YOHO: pages 32 & 33 Takes you from glaciers to cactus

YOHO 0 10 20 Kilometres NATIONAL Neptuak Miles PARK 0 10 Deltaform Lake Louise Allen Fay and JASPER Misko NATIONAL PARK M Pass Quadra

i

s w k Kaufmann Boom o Lake C Lake k Chimney Oke V w e O rm tter ta Boom il i w l R io 1A Kootenay National i T n ve o r ku 1 Park is on O m Pa Goodsir Ottertail ss . c m

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e r e Whymper VERMILION PASS 1 HR AHEAD of C e k k FIRE, 1968. Pacific Time elmet c H St Banff Sharp an (and most of B.C.) TOKUMM CREEK . le (132 km FIRE, 2003. y

C g 9 k from Limestone 4 Radium) Helmet H c 93 a WASHMA ff Stanley - Rockwall n . K O O T E N A Y P A R K W A Y # 9 3 S 8 er WAPTA Pass C Ball Shadow k c ICEFIELD C Haffner re Lake g ek Drysdale in BANFF

l a Speed Limit: 90 km/hr (56 mph) e b rin um NATIONAL lve ss T o a Gray B / W P k Isabelle all PARK Construction of the Banff-Windermere Highway, C

a V Pass completed in 1922, was the result of an agreement e k m rm u i between the federal and BC governments. N li on Egypt Ck Haiduk o Kootenay National Park was included as a 5 mile R k Lake Healy iv w A e a Pass LBE (8 km) strip of land on each side of the highway. r H V RTA Numa er o Known today as the Kootenay Parkway, this was da n B.C. the first motor road to cross the Canadian Rockies. Numa t C Talc re Lake t Pass k ek C Foster e Floe lo k e Lake F C Honey- The ac er moon Monarch S Pass n H a VILLAGE OF RADIUM HOT SPRINGS VERENDRYE CK. Vermilion w k FIRE, 2003. Crossing R a Banff L E G E N D id g 7 ? e

k y 4 C Radium Hot e Park Information Centre ry d Springs Pools n Verendrye re Shanks P e 1 Point of Interest (p. 28) V MOUNT SHANKS P Exhibit W FIRE, 2001. a B r d l (250) 347-6525 Disabled Access e o Wardle C k Si 3 Redstreak mp . so 2 n River x Campground m 1 k Campground

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k 2 Hiking e Juniper e K r o 2 Trail NOT TO SCALE Cross Country Skiing o C Spar te n t P a s 2 y o Viewpoint L

Redstreak 0 0. 2. 5 km H 2 km Loop Trail Picnic Tables MOUNT Kootenay Split F ASSINIBOINE 2 Crossing R Picnic Shelter iv PROVINCIAL 1 E e Sinclair r R . 0 PARK Canyon k Redstreak D m G Warden Station Selkirk P o a Campground l ly 0 . V d 5 D Accommodation a

k r m P d C e West Gate Sani-dump Station n C i k Ck K B Campground Entrance Luxor r u OO ae TEN A Pass K 3 D AY Hot Springs o Daer N o A Crooks m TIO 3 t NA e L P Meadow n ARK Hiking Trail a Canyon Park y 1 M . R Crook , R.V. a 4 Administration

d k i Harkin s v Resort e m e n E M E R G E N C Y r R R eds o tre a Valley a

k B d 93 View R Ambulance (250) 342-2055 oad Dog Lake Trail .4 Fire (250) 347-6590 km C ek R.C.M.Police (250) 342-9292 2 Cre e k s East Invermer WARDENS - 24 hr (403) 762-4506 C itt Main Street ? 1 eadow P

M y. 93/95 Kindersley n 95 Hw AREA CODE (250) Golde West Nixon Main Street Ck V K Post Bus Warden Office 347-9361 in Golden de 0 Office Depot rs le (98 km from Pa y ss A K O O T E N A Y N A T I O N A L P A R K C A M P G R O U N D S Radium) J

o S FULL ELEC FLUSH DRY SHOW SANI DIS INTERPRETATION h in n cl S OPEN DATES # SITES H-U ONLY TOIL TOIL -ERS DUMP ACC PROGRAM P a e M a i 93 r t 1 s tl c s e K r 1 Redstreak May 7 - Oct. 11 242 50 38 Berland s a 6

5 S M y w ede R k C C o McLeod Meadows a 2 May 21 - Sept. 12 98 k d 95 Cobb

Lake 0 3 Dolly Varden (winter) Sept. 15 - May 6 7 air Creek ncl Sinclair Si K R k 2 i e 4 Marble Canyon June 26 - Sept. 6 61 e m e Village d p r s t C 3 4 t o r n lt of Radium e i Opening and closing dates are weather dependent. ? 1 a C S Hot Springs 1 k k Arrive early - campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Redstreak C Coming in 2005 - Campground Reservation System. 93 k FULL H-U = full hook-up • DIS ACC = disabled access 95 Fairmont Hot Springs, FIRE PERMIT REQUIRED where fireboxes & firewood are provided. Cranbrook and U.S. border 29 YOHO NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA

The word "Yoho" is a Cree LAKE O’HARA expression of awe and wonder. The Lake O’Hara area is as frag- ile as it is beautiful. To protect Nestled on the western slopes of this alpine area and assure a the Rockies, Yoho National Park high quality visitor experience, boasts towering rock walls, a quota limits the number of spectacular waterfalls, and 28 people who may use the bus peaks over 3,000 metres in service to the lake. Bicycles are height. not permitted. There is, however, no limit on the number of Established: 1886 people who may hike the 13 km 2 Size: 1310 km (8 mi) in to the lake. (507 mi2) Reservations are required for SPIRAL TUNNELS VIEWPOINT 2 the bus service (JUN 18 - OCT 3) and for the backcountry camp- YOHO VISITOR CENTRE EMERALD LAKE ground. They can be made up to 1 In Field; (250) 343-6783 4 17 km (25 minutes) from Field 6 11 km (15 minutes) from Field 3 months in advance by calling via #1 (east) and Yoho Valley (250) 343-6433. A small num- ? e Road (north) e ber of day use and one-night Just off the Trans-Canada Highway: camping spots are set aside for • full Parks Canada and Travel assignment 24 hours in Alberta information services One of the highest waterfalls A jewel of the Canadian Rockies advance. These are available by • natural history and in Canada • see the Burgess Shale display at the phone only. fossil displays • means "magnificent!" in Cree picnic area • Friends of Yoho gift shop • several popular hikes start here • a 5.2 km (2 hr) trail circles the lake • the steep 13 km Yoho Valley Road SPRING (MAY 1 - JUN 24) 9 am - 5 pm WAPTA FALLS SUMMER (JUN 25 - SEP 6) 9 am - 7 pm to the falls has tight switchbacks 7 22 km (30 minutes) west of Field FALL (SEP 7 - SEP 19) 9 am - 5 pm and is not suitable for vehicles BURGESS SHALE (SEP 20 - APR 30 ) 9 am - 4 pm pulling trailers (see map) "Wapta" means • this road is open in LATE JUNE - EARLY running water. The 515 million year-old • a short drive from the #1 takes you to OCTOBER only, becoming a ski trail in remains of more than 120 SPIRAL TUNNEL the start of an easy 2.4 km trail to winter (closed to vehicles) species of marine animals have VIEWPOINTS e these impressive falls (45 min, 1-way) been found in the Burgess LOWER: 8 km east of Field on • the turn-off is accessible to eastbound NATURAL BRIDGE Shale, preserved in exquisite 2 theTrans-Canada Highway traffic only 5 3 km (5 minutes) west of Field detail. In some cases scientists UPPER: 2 km north of Kicking can even see what these 3 Horse Campground on the “National Parks are maintained for all the people Yoho Valley Road – for the ill, that they may be restored, for the well ancient creatures ate just A place to wonder at the • view the entry and exit portals of that they may be fortified and inspired by the before they died! force of water over time an engineering marvel sunshine, the fresh air, the beauty, and all the • a natural rock bridge arches over other healing, ennobling, and inspiring agencies • the Spiral Tunnels, completed in To protect this globally impor- of Nature.” J.B. Harkin 1909, reduced the original railway the mighty tant scientific site, access to of 4.5% – the steepest of any Walcott’s Quarry and to the railway in North America – to a Trilobite Beds is by guided hike EMERALD LAKE much safer 2.2% 6 only. Both hikes are long and strenuous, and run from EARLY JULY to MID-SEPTEMBER as trail condi- tions permit. Led by licensed A Year-Round guides, the hikes are limited to 15 people. For schedules, fees Wonderland and reservations, contact the Yoho offers 400 km of hiking Yoho Burgess Shale Foundation trails and 40 km of groomed at 1-800-343-3006. ski trails. You can also enjoy the Burgess Inquire at the Visitor Centre Shale displays at the Field and for MAPS and current trail, BEAR, Lake Louise Visitor Centres, and weather and AVALANCHE reports. at Emerald Lake.

Some routes may have restricted PLEASE NOTE: access – check ahead to Collecting fossils anywhere in the avoid disappointment. national parks is against the law.

32 MOUNT REVELSTOKE & GLACIER NATIONAL PARKS: pages 36 & 37 A land of rock walls and waterfalls

T To JASPER HE G R NATIONAL E A T PARK D IV ID Amiskwi E Y O H O V A L L E Y R O A D Y Pass O Gordon H O Speed Limit: G Des Poilus L 20-60 km/hr (12-37 mph) A C I Balfour Pass E R This 13 km road is steep with tight (250) 343-6393 switchbacks. Leave trailers in the parking G D L Yoho E AC Balfour lot across from the Monarch Campground. S P IE Peak

O R w IL US The road is open LATE-JUNE to EARLY- Kilometres0 5 10 Miles Twin Falls Y

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a DALY p P Niles L E G E N D k GLACIER P o A tin R e 4 K c iw Takakkaw W Park Information Centre K Left-hand turns Falls A EMERALD . O on the Trans- Y tt GLACIER 4 o Canada Highway g 1 Point of Interest (p. 32) C Yoh re o Pa are permitted at ek ss 93 signed intersec- c Exhibit Carnarvon E Paget Peak tions only. m Sherbrooke Bosworth B e . a ra Wapta Lake s l Disabled Access i c Hamilton n d 1 Lake Ogden Horsey Emerald Kicking LAKE a 1 Campground 6 Horse Lake B 3 LOUISE u Pass r ield Wapta Ross / Picnic Tables E M E R A L D L A K E R O A D g F P e Lake Lake Hamilton a s 2 d A s s a To Banff y m Falls s 3 o Narao Picnic Shelter Speed Limit: is R Spike Peak k 2 k (85 km from w e Peak

o i E r i o 50-80 km/hr (31-50 mph) o

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e e k r a Store providing views of the glaciated o O L on the way in, tte rh esnay Victoria ot Hiking ea 5 Duch b and the Hanbury Glacier on d b s asin A as Ri Dennis B P Mount Vaux on the way out. ve Canoeing r Duchesnay Lefroy Lake BANFF V an O'Hara Horse Riding Horn Odaray NATIONAL e Ra B nge PARK McArthur Pass O Cross Country Skiing P p

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KOOTENAY F To Golden NATIONAL

Ambulance i Ottertail Fire 911 (57 km from Field) and PARK e Vaux Falls

R.C.M.Police MOUNT REVELSTOKE URY k G HANB e o o l IER e d WARDENS - 24 hours (403) 762-4506 AND GLACIER GLAC r si r d C P a National Parks Mt. r ss i Hoodoos s AREA CODE (250) Hunter ek , re d Look Ck o C o o Out dooo Warden Office 343-6142 ood G oo B HH K 1 1 ic ki C ng Chancellor H W Goodsir

a Peak I or p F I E L D s t c e a e R F i a R - C ve l RANS ANADA H r l i V T IGH s 7 v WAY e r 7 km - 5 0 lden 1 Ba o n B G ff - Ball 85 k e Yoho National a mond m A Dia v e Park is on r ? f o P o Mountain Time – t

R 1 HR AHEAD of 1 iv K e ickin r Pacific Time g H G orse (and most of B.C.) River 0

CP R CPR R T ion C P Bunkho ele Y O H O N A T I O N A L P A R K C A M P G R O U N D S Stat use gr aph FULLFLUSH DRY SHOW SANI DIS INTERPRETIVE Bu OPEN DATES # SITES H-U TOIL TOIL -ERS DUMP ACC PROGRAM Post rges Offi s ce Ave Stephen nue 1 Hoodoo Creek June 1 - Sept. 30 106 Ave t nu s dings t e Hol a CPR s E 2 Monarch May 7 - Sept. 6 46 a Kic t Avenue king E phen S Ste Horse Kicking Horse d 3 June 1 - Sept. 30 86

1 t st n e 2 Ave e nue r 4 Takakkaw Falls (walk-in) June 25 - Sept. 30 35 t

S 2nd Opening and closing dates are weather dependent. ek t re Arrive early - campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Av s C e 1 N nue en Coming in 2005 - Campground Reservation System. ph te 0 40 80 120 S FULL H-U = full hook-up • DIS ACC = disabled access metres FIRE PERMIT REQUIRED where fireboxes & firewood are provided. 33 MOUNT REVELSTOKE & GLACIER NATIONAL PARKS

Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks protect landscapes 6 ROGERS PASS DISCOVERY CENTRE characteristic of the Columbia Mountains of interior British 69 km (52 minutes) east HIKING & SKIING Columbia: steep terrain, moist climate and lush vegetation. of Revelstoke; 72 km (55 minutes) west of Golden; (250) 837-7500 Stop in at the Rogers Pass Mount Revelstoke National Park provides easy access Established: 1914 Discovery Centre for MAPS to the summit of one of these mountains, and Size: 260 km2 ? e and current trail, BEAR, weather opportunities to learn about its natural (100 mi2) At the summit of Rogers Pass: and AVALANCHE reports, features. • full Parks Canada information PERMITS and closure notices. services Glacier National Park, with over 400 glaciers Established: 1886 • theatre, exhibits about railway Some areas may have restricted history, avalanches and wildlife covering one-tenth of its area, is a stunning Size: 1350 km2 access – check ahead to avoid • Friends of Mount Revelstoke and disappointment. setting for some fascinating transportation (521 mi2) Glacier bookstore and mountaineering history. • Rogers Pass Discovery Centre is The trails marked on the facing open daily year round, (except map page are summer hiking Christmas Day, and Tuesdays and trails. Whatever trail you Wednesday in November) choose, come prepared for travel in a rugged mountain environment and an unpre- BEAVER / COPPERSTAIN Valleys dictable climate. 7 79 km (1 hr) east of Revelstoke

Access (on foot!) to the interior of Glacier National Park • the Valley is the home of giant, 1000 year-old Engelmann spruce and western red cedar • the vast alpine meadows of Bald Mountain attract hardy adventurers

MOUNT REVELSTOKE NATIONAL PARK GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

1 MEADOWS IN THE SKY Parkway HEMLOCK GROVE Trail Begins 1.5 km east of Revelstoke 3 54 km (40 minutes) east e of Revelstoke e Some summer hiking trails Drive from dense rainforest to Explore the rain forest. may be used by skiers in the flower filled subalpine meadows. • a 0.4 km (10 min) interpretive winter but they are neither • this narrow paved road switch- boardwalk winds through an groomed nor patrolled. Many backs for 26 km up Mount ancient stand of Western Hemlock pass through avalanche ter- Revelstoke* trees, making the wonders of the rain. • at the top, park at Balsam Lake and old-growth forest accessible to all, walk – or take the free shuttle bus including persons with mobility Deep and heavy snow is nor- – 2 km to the Summit area; shuttle and visual impairments mal in winter. Most skiers find service runs 10 am - 4:20 pm from light, cross-country ski equip- JULY or AUGUST (once the road is LOOP BROOK Trail ment unsuitable for these con- free of snow) until SEPEMBER 30 4 63 km (45 minutes) east ditions. Heavier ski touring or • the parkway is left unplowed in of Revelstoke mountaineering equipment winter and is trackset for cross- Railway history is 6 and techniques are more prac- country skiers for 8 km; ski touring e featured on this trail. tical. terrain lies beyond • allow 1 hr for this 1.6 km loop and * For vehicle restrictions and open hours and find out why this trail is also a Winter backcountry dates, see map on facing page. National Historic Site travellers in Glacier must be aware of area 2 SKUNK CABBAGE Trail ILLECILLEWAET / ASULKAN Valleys 7 closures for the purpose of 28 km (25 minutes) east 5 66 km (50 minutes) east avalanche control for the of Revelstoke of Revelstoke Trans-Canada Highway. Both A unique wetlands the artillery fire and the e experience avalanches which result • an interpretive 1.2 km (30 min) Several hikes begin at this trailhead. present a real danger. boardwalk trail loops over the • explore hiking trails and moun- wetland; great bird-watching taineering routes opened more than a century ago

36 You’re not in the Rockies any more (or yet, if you’re eastbound)! We’re in the heart of the Columbia Mountains.

Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce, s 204 Campbell Avenue (250) 837-5345 Rogers Pass National Historic Site The difficult and little-known terrain in the Selkirk L E G E N D Mountains made finding a route for the Canadian Park Information Centre Mount Revelstoke & Pacific Railway a demanding task. In 1882, Chief Glacier National Engineer A. B. Rogers traversed Rogers Pass and Point of Interest (p. 36) 1 Parks are on

overcame the last great obstacle facing the trans- www.pc.gc.ca/ Exhibit Pacific Time – continental railway. The steep grade and suscepti- 1 hour BEHIND Disabled Access Mountain Time. bility to avalanches made the pass such a treacher- ous part of the line that it was bypassed in 1916 by 1 Campground the Connaught Tunnel. With the opening of the Picnic Tables Trans-Canada Highway in 1962, however, Rogers Picnic Shelter Pass again formed part of a national route. Hut Hiking Golden EASTERN WELCOME STATION Backpacking

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WARDENS: 1-877-852-3100 HERMIT p a e r C 7 s Dawn k ta ree i AREA CODE (250) Ursus Grizzly ht C n naug C on re Minor C e Macdonald k Information 836-7500 Ursus Major BALU PASS Beaver River Moonraker Recorded Avalanche Bulletin 837-6867 TRAIL ROGERS * PASS Avalanche Mountaineering Information 837-5202 (250) 837-2010 McGill 6 Bald gar CENTRE Eagle Copperstain Cou Cheops 1 Br I 5 oo ll HEMLOCK k ec GROVE Cougar il Uto Bostock C le TRAIL wa Corbin 3 2 A etSir Donald

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L R LOOP 4 u iv o l e 3 iver k r aet R BROOK o a Fidelity reek lew TRAIL p Abbott n l B i B c www.pc.gc.ca/ e r r ll o o MOUNT REVELSTOKE I ok ok Flat Creek Bonney ILLECILLEWAET NATIONAL PARK m NÉVÉ 16 k Jupiter Youngs 1 Smart y Cree Macoun Woolse k * 23 St. est GLACIER Cyr W CIRCLE Albert Canyon r k ve Cree Hot Springs Ri yr x St. C eu Fox CLA Klotz Slick ppl Dickey CHNA oma CUDAINN Inc Dawson IC GIANT Fortitude eek E FIELD CEDARS TRAIL r Cr Coursier Caribou Coursie Inverness Eva Lake Williamson C 2 DEVILLE NÉVÉ la SKUNK CABBAGE TRAIL c Y Jade hn A HISTORIC FIRE a W Miller H glacier Lakes cu Wheeler LOOK OUT d I G Lake a H Purity in A MEADOWS IN n D NA THE SKY TRAIL C CA INSPIRATION k NS- WOODS TRAIL Balsam Hami TRA Grand Lake Virtue lton Ck PARK WESTERN WELCOME STATION Charity GATE River t ae ew Beaver ill 0 10 20 lec Kilometres Il Miles 23 1 1 MEADOWS IN THE SKY PARKWAY 0 5 10 Revelstoke Speed Limit: 50 km/hr (31 mph) G L A C I E R N A T I O N A L P A R K C A M P G R O U N D S The Parkway climbs for 26 km to the 1,920 m FULL FLUSH DRY SHOW SANI DIS INTERPRETIVE (6,240') summit of Mount Revelstoke. OPEN DATES # SITES H-U TOIL TOIL -ERS DUMP ACC PROGRAM MOUNT This narrow paved road has many switchbacks; 1 Illecillewaet June 24 - Sept. 30 60 trailers and buses are not permitted. Trailer ? REVELSTOKE 2 Loop Brook July 1 - Sept. 6 20 parking is available near the park entrance. & GLACIER 3 Mount Sir Donald July 1 - Sept. 6 15 National Parks The road is open when snow-free, usually: Opening and closing dates are weather dependent. Box 350, Revelstoke, BC - lower sections in MAY / JUNE (9 am - 5 pm) Arrive early - campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. V0E 2S0 (250) 837-7500 - to summit in JULY (7 am - 10 pm), AUGUST (7 am - 8:30 pm) and SEPTEMBER (9 am - 5 pm) • FULL H-U = full hook-up • DIS ACC = disabled access

This map Friends of Mt. Visit the Glacier Circle Bookstore at the Rogers Pass Visitor Centre sponsored by: Revelstoke & Glacier • Guide Books • Clothing • Local Giftware 37