by Brian Patton | Nov 22, 2020 | backpacking, Home page News
Jim Thorsell began charting a route for the Great Divide Trail while completing a trail use survey for Banff and Yoho Parks in 1967. After tweaking the original route, he published the Provisional Trail Guide and Map for the Proposed Great Divide Trail in 1970. The...
by Brian Patton | Sep 30, 2020 | backpacking, Banff National Park, Home page News
We’ve all had times when the best laid and ambitious plans have to be abandoned. That was the case this August when avid backpacker and faithful blog contributor Gavin Fitch set off from Ya Ha Tinda Ranch with three friends. Despite the problems they...
by Brian Patton | Sep 6, 2020 | backpacking, Banff National Park, Home page News
We’ve had quite a bit of interest in the Castleguard Meadows over the past few years. Several contributors have provided descriptions of this overgrown, difficult 35-km route. In May, Christian Gilroy sent another account of a 5-day in-and-out trip that he...
by Brian Patton | Aug 31, 2020 | backpacking, canadian rockies trail guide, Home page News, Kootenay National Park
Kootenay National Park is celebrating its centennial with a “Kootenay Then and Now: Recreate the Photo” contest. Since we began our fieldwork on the Mountain Parks’ first comprehensive trail guide 50 years ago, I thought it would be appropriate to...
by Brian Patton | Jun 12, 2020 | backpacking, Canadian Rockies, canadian rockies trail guide, COVID-19, Home page News
We’re still wondering whether there will be much backcountry travel in the Mountain Parks during this coronavirus summer. But you can still make dozens of virtual treks in the Canadian Rockies on the YouTube channel while you’re waiting. These...
by Brian Patton | May 9, 2020 | backpacking, COVID-19, hiking, Home page News, National Parks, Provincial Parks
Hiking and backcountry access in the Canadian Rockies during COVID-19 Updated July 28, 2020 Parks Canada began lifting COVID-19 restrictions and closures in the National Parks on Monday, June 1. Most trails and day use areas are now open throughout the Mountain...
