PARK ROADS & TRAILS IN AND AROUND BANFF TOWNSITE SCALE OF MILES 1/2 REFERENCE Roads Trail Viewpoint Fire Trail Campground Picnic Area ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF HON. WALTER DINSDALE P.C., MP. MINISTER OF NORTHERN AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL RESOURCES rr^li (fC f '""-'Wv'^ National Parks are living Museums of Roads and trails are avenues to protected but Wild creatures — both birds and mammals AH the natural features of this park are unspoiled wilderness. Using them, and in particu­ Nature preserved for the benefit, education — may be seen more frequently at early preserved for all who may come this way. lar walking them, gives you a close contact with and enjoyment of this and future generations. nature in a superb setting. morning light and in the twilight of evening. Please do not remove or damage them. PARK ROADS AND TRAILS IN the Bow Valley beyond. These springs and beaver may be seen on occasions. It ground. This is a four mile walk, re­ are open daily, 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. is also an excellent birding area. Early turning to town by the campground AND AROUND BANFF TOWNSITE from June 15 to September 15 (closing morning and evening are the best times road. Another branch of this trail Tuesdays at 4.30 p.m.). During the rest to observe various species of the wild reaches the ridge near the Hoodoos IL2 There are several scenic drives in of the year 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. (closed creatures. miles farther. Alternatively the Hoo­ the Bow Valley, radiating from the on Tuesdays). doos are reached directly from the townsite of Banff. There are also walk­ campgrounds on a trail near the road. ing and riding trails to extend your There is a trail of less than two miles Mount Norquay (5.3 miles). This enjoyment of the area to points not for those who prefer to walk to the road climbs the slopes of Stoney Squaw accessible by road. These roads and springs. This trail commences near the Mountain to the low pass 1,000 feet Lake Minnewanka (17 miles return). trails are shown on this map, and these Banff Springs Hotel and ascends in above Banff, between Stoney Squaw This is an enjoyable loop drive, from descriptive notes are offered to provide easy grades through the forest. and Mount Norquay. On this route either of two directions, from the information on distances, altitudes and natural scenery is magnificent, and Trans-Canada Highway. There are a other interesting details. Unless other­ there is ample parking space at the number of sweeping views, frequent wise stated, distances are from the Bow Sulphur Mountain. From near the Viewpoint on the top switch back. launch trips on Lake Minnewanka, as Bridge in the townsite. Upper Hot Springs a trail leads to the From the upper end of this road a well as fishing in Minnewanka, Two summit ridge of Sulphur Mountain. By chairlift operates to the top of the Jack and Johnson's Lakes—and plenty following easily graded switchbacks alpine meadows, a vertical rise in alti­ of picnic areas. From the parking area Cave and Basin Hot Springs (1 mile), through silent forest-clad slopes you tude of 1,300 feet. Here the mountains at Lake Minnewanka there is a short and Sundance Canyon (3.3 miles). can reach the top in less than two are seen in their true perspective, with (V-2, mile) trail to Stewart Canyon on The road and a trail just below it lead hours. The spectacular panorama of the the view east and south over the tops the Cascade River, where it enters the westward from this bridge to the Cave mountains and valleys of this area is of Stoney Squaw and Tunnel Moun­ lake. Sheep are often seen in this area. and Basin. an inspiring sight and may be enjoyed tains. Sunsets from Mount Norquay to the full from the short trail south­ can be superb. Hot springs gushing from the slopes wards along the ridge. The downhill of Sulphur Mountain were known to trip is only one hour and for those who TRAIL ACCESS to this area is pro­ ADDITIONAL TRAIL INFORMATION the Indians long before the coming of would enjoy walking only one way, or vided by a foot path branching off be­ the white man, and were looked upon who do not have time for the full cir­ yond the Trans-Canada Junction, on as an emanation of the Great White cuit, a gondola lift offers alternate the left side of the Mount Norquay Trails in the SPRAY VALLEY pro­ Spirit. Surveyors searching for a route transportation. road. This follows the gully between vide relaxing mountain environment for our first railway to cross the Great the two mountains in an easy walk of away from highways. Using fire trails Mountain Barrier reported these geo­ one mile, without crossing the road at on either side of the river, loop walks logical phenomena and in 1885 Parlia­ Bow Falls (1 mile), and Golf Course any point. may be made from beyond the Banff ment reserved them for the people of Loop (7 miles return to Spray Bridge). (Trail to Edith Pass via Fortymile Springs Hotel, returning to the Spray Canada. The broad cataract of the Bow Falls is Creek — see Additional Trail Inform­ River bridge by the trail back of the first green on the Golf Course. One The Cave is now entered through the seen from a viewpoint near the Spray ation.) crossing is less than a mile upstream, east door of the building, but it was River Bridge on this road. and the other four miles, (ten miles first used by Indians who entered return to the Bow Bridge). Visitors through the natural vent in the dome of While most of the drives near Banff Tunnel Mountain Roads and Trails. interested in birds or flowers, and fish­ the cave. A free booklet "Mineral Hot climb to some viewpoint above the Tunnel Mountain Drive 4.4 miles. ing, will enjoy these wilderness trails. Springs in Canada's National Parks" valley, equally magnificent views are Hoodoos 3 miles. — available at the Springs or the Park seen from this pleasant loop road which wanders in the meadows of the Bow The Tunnel Mountain Drive must be The trail for MOUNT RUNDLE Information Office — contains ad­ turns off the fire trail on the east side ditional interesting information. Valley through the golf course area and entered near the campground, since beyond. The mountains in the distance, the top section is a one-way road. The of the Spray River, one mile from the There are two bathing pools here, seen between the cliffs of Tunnel and entire valley west of Banff is seen in Spray Bridge and climbs to timberline. one using sulphur water from the Rundle Mountains, are the Palliser panorama, as well as the Spray Valley Directions about climbing this moun­ springs, and the other supplied with Range, dominated by Mount Aylmer, from a Viewpoint above Bow Falls. The tain beyond the end of the trail will be fresh water. Excellent views of the highest peak in the vicinity of Banff Hoodoos Viewpoint, driving directly provided when parties register for mountains may be enjoyed from the (10,375 ft.) with the Fairholme Range from Banff, is three miles along the climbing with the Warden Service in balcony on the roof of the building. in the middle distance, to the east. east ridge of Tunnel Mountain. An in­ the Park Office, or at the Warden These pools usually are open to bathers teresting NATURE TRAIL may be Equipment Building. from mid-May until mid-September. THE LOOP TRAIL follows a slightly entered from the parking area. The Hours are 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. from June different route in the same area and is two drives may be combined for a 10- 15 to Labour Day, except Mondays particularly suitable for saddle horses. mile loop, using the Trans-Canada Edith Pass (3 miles) — to Norquay when they close at 4.30 p.m. In the Highway east of Banff, and returning Pass via Fortymile Creek (9 miles). Another short trail in this vicinity early and late season, hours are 9 a.m. via the Hoodoos and Tunnel Mountain The trail climbs 1,700 feet to Edith may be reached by car from the Loop to 4.30 p.m., closed on Mondays. Drive. Pass and the bases of Mount Edith and Drive. It is V/-> miles down the south Mount Louis. Any climbing beyond this shore of the Bow River, travelling point must first be registered with the Sundance Canyon trail may be enter­ partly through open forest to a fire The Trail To The Summit of Tunnel Warden Service. This trail continues ed near the Banff Springs Hotel or on circle on a flower-strewn sandspit. This northward to Fortymile Creek, follow­ the Hot Springs Road back of the Park Mountain, beginning on St. Julien Road is a fine place for picnics. Behind the in the townsite, rises 1,000 feet in easy ing the creek downstream for a short Office. Distance for this trail, return­ trail the cliffs of Rundle rise for 5,500 distance and then around Mount Nor­ ing on any of the alternate routes, is switchbacks, a distance of less than two feet and the "Showerbath", one of the miles. Visitors of all ages enjoy this quay to the pass near the parking area about seven miles from the bridge. The mountain's many small waterfalls, pro­ with very little change in altitude.