17 BANFF TRAILS SCALE IN MILES % % o v2 1 ill i i REFERENCE Trail Fire Trail ._ Footpath only Road «____ Camp Ground £T\ Picnic Area X View Point ® Fire Circle ® Fire Circle* |TJ *Fire permits required from the Warden Service for use of these fire circles. PRODUCED BY THE SURVEYS AND MAPPING BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND TECHNICAL SURVEYS, 1965. Travel permits are required for all climbing off 17 BANFF TRAILS 2. Trails in the Tunnel Mountain Area 3. Middle Springs (footpath only) in Sulphur hill), and then the road to Sundance Canyon (3.3 park trails and for overnight travel on trails. This selection of trails in the vicinity of Banff For those seeking a pleasant walk near the town, Mountain are easily reached by a Wmile trail miles from town). Another alternative is the trail varies from a short stroll to an extended hike. but who don't want to climb the mountain, the starting in the gardens behind the park administra­ uphill and back across the lower slopes of Sulphur Park regulations require that anyone climbing a When hiking on any mountain trails, stay on trail around the mountain is worthwhile, with tion building. You will find the sign for this trail Mountain to the town streets, as shown on the mountain in the Park must obtain a travel permit the trails; taking a shortcut will lead to erosion choices of routes for shorter or longer walks. at the top of the gardens on the right. map. from the nearest park warden, or at the office of You may walk downstream along the Bow River 5. At Sundance Canyon a trail (U/2 mile loop) which will gradually wash out the trail. Some of This is a very gradual ascent to a natural sulphur the Chief Warden. The office of the Banff District from the north end of the Bow Bridge, to the view has been developed in the canyon itself, crossing the trails mentioned are easier to reach by car but spring which flows from small hillside caves. These Warden is in the Warden Equipment Building on above the Bow Falls (1 mile), with the last part the stream and climbing amongst the rocks. The the majority are close enough to the townsite so and other springs in the area originate from rain of the route on the road. This is a pleasant picnic canyon is not spectacular, but rather pleasant with the corner of Squirrel and Elk Streets. The permit you can walk. and surface water that seeps into fractures or pores spot with a fine view of the Banff Springs Hotel a lively stream tumbling and splashing over the applies to Rundle Mountain if it is intended to go 1. Tunnel Mountain—1.6 miles to the summit, in the rock and circulates to depths where the and the Spray River Valley framing Goat Moun­ edge of Sundance Valley on its way to the Bow beyond the top of the trail. It does not apply to climb 1,000 ft. altitude. temperature of the rock is very high. The hot tain. Rundle Mountain is nearby on the left. River. Some interesting plants grow here; purple Tunnel Mountain or Sulphur Mountain when The trail up Tunnel Mountain is one of the water then returns to the surface along fracture phacelia, golden corydalis and spotted saxifrage, climbing on the trails. Holders of travel permits oldest and most popular in the Bow Valley. It From here continue on the road a few yards to zones dissolving lime and sulphur compounds from starts in the townsite, on St. Julian Road, not far are features of the canyon flora. The trail continues must "sign in" upon their return. a sign on the right which announces "Trail to the rocks. The lime has formed the calcareous rock upstream for almost a mile, and then climbs a little from the Banff School of Fine Arts. Tunnel Moun­ Hoodoos 2.9 M." Take this trail downhill to a deposits (tufa) around the springs, creating an above the right bank and turns back through the Fires may not be lit anywhere in the park except tain lies in the middle of the Bow Valley. Altitude quiet backwater of the Bow River in less than a overburden on the bed rock and glacial till of the woods to a fine viewpoint of Mt. Edith across the in places prepared for them, such as picnic grounds is 5,550 feet. Unless you make long stops you mile. The trail continues along the river bank at area. Hydrogen sulphide gives the odour to the valley, before descending the hill to the parking lot. and fire circles, unless a special fire permit has should be able to make the top in an hour; the the foot of the Tunnel Mountain cliffs to Tunnel water. The warm water also encourages plant return trip, including time for the views at the top been issued. Organized groups of picknickers are Mountain meadows. The months of June and July growth not found elsewhere. Some plants remain 6. The Upper Hot Springs 2vi miles, 500 ft climb. and a good rest, 2 to 2V2 hours. requested to obtain fire permits for use of off- provide a fair variety of mountain flowers (to see green all year due to the warm water, and air near Walking time about 1 hour. Walk along Spray Preliminary Advice: There is no water on this little highway picnic-grounds or fire circles. but not to pick, please) and there are some very the stream. There is a very fine view from the open Avenue and past the Banff Springs Hotel. Beyond mountain, so take some fruit or something to drink large old Douglas fir trees here which have survived meadow here, revealing the Bow Valley near Banff, the parking lot here, and above the entrance to the Publications on geology and other natural after you reach the summit, especially on a warm the forest fires of a century ago because they were with, left to right, Mt. Cory, Mt. Norquay, Cascade fire road, a well graded trail starts uphill on the day. Also, don't look for the tunnel—it isn't there. features, and topographical maps of the Mountain protected by their thick bark. The trail then climbs Mountain with Stoney Squaw at its base, and right and comes out on the road just below the The railway had plans for one through the ridge Parks may be purchased at park information offices easily to a low east ridge of the mountain near beyond this to the right, the Palliser Range with Upper Hot Springs and Gondola Lift lower ter­ but it was never built. Take it easy and stick to in Banff and Lake Louise, or at the park adminis­ Tunnel Mountain Campground. To return to town, Mt. Aylmer's peak. In the foreground, glimpses of minal. This is probably no shorter than the main the trail, for a pleasant and rewarding walk. tration building. turn left and follow the campground road (round the town on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain. road to the springs, but you escape the traffic and The wonderful view from the summit of Tunnel trip about 5 miles) or continue along the ridge to pass through the pleasant and cool woods. From A schedule of conducted walks is arranged for Mountain makes the walk worth the time and 4. Bow River, south bank, west of town. This may the Hoodoos, 2 miles farther. There is a magnifi­ a point very near the Hot Springs building, the trail the summer months in the Banff area and in the energy. It lies like an island in the middle of the be reached by a dike crossing the swampy area just cent view here of the lower Bow River. may be found for . western section of the park. Information about Bow River Valley, which at this point runs directly before you reach the Cave and Basin springs, and these walks may be obtained at any park Inform­ east and west, cutting across the ranges. A few You will notice other trails along the ridge follows a route westward between the swamp and 7. Sulphur Mountain Summit—3 miles or 2 hours, which will return you to the campground area, or ation office. miles upstream the riven swings out of the town the river. This is sometimes a good "birding area", climb 2,200 feet. There is a trail access to the and then, just east of the townsite, pours over the bring you to the highway approaching Banff from as waterfowl inhabit the swampy area and the river. summit, besides the gondola lift. Drinking water Self-guiding nature trails are located at the Bow Falls, to be joined by the Spray River from the Trans-Canada Highway. These are pleasant to There are warblers, chickadees and kinglets in the may be obtained from a spring about 2 miles up, Hoodoos near Tunnel Mountain Campground, at the southeast. The river has cut between Tunnel walk if you wish to go a little further and vary your spruce forest. The trail crosses the Sundance road and refreshments are available in a tea house at the Johnston Canyon on Highway 1A, and at Peyto and Rundle Mountains, which are in the same route instead of "back-tracking" by the camp­ beyond the Cave and Basin, about 1Vz miles from summit. Alpine larch and whitebark pine are trees Lookout near Bow Pass on the Banff-Jasper High­ range, before finding the natural valley northeast of ground road to town.