by Brian Patton | Aug 31, 2013 | 2013 Floods, Banff National Park, hiking
The popular hiker’s shuttle bus to Sunshine Meadows has been stalled all summer by June (2013) flooding that washed out many sections of the Sunshine Road. Shuttle operator White Mountain Adventures had hopes of getting back on the road sometime in August, but damage...
by Brian Patton | Aug 27, 2013 | Banff National Park, hiking, Wildlife
Banff National Park’s Helen Lake Hiking Trail is one of the most popular day hikes from the Icefield Parkway. It is also a favourite summer feeding ground for grizzly bears, particularly sow bears with cubs. Sometimes hikers and bears have coexisted peacefully....
by Brian Patton | Aug 13, 2013 | Banff National Park, hiking, Kananaskis Country
By mid-summer, all of the snow has disappeared from the highest hiking trails in the Canadian Rockies parks and most hikers are in a bit better shape than they were in the spring. If you’d like to hike to the highest trail-accessible points in the parks, this is the...
by Brian Patton | Aug 10, 2013 | 2013 Floods, Banff National Park, hiking
With the closure of the Sunshine Village Road and washouts on Pharaoh Creek as a result of the June 2013 flood, its been a discouraging summer for getting to Sunshine Meadows and Eygpt Lakes. But backpackers travelling from Spray Valley Provincial Park to Highway 93...
by Brian Patton | Aug 4, 2013 | Banff National Park, hiking, Wildflowers
The switchbacking trail to the alpine summit of Parker Ridge in northern Banff National Park has a reputation for being the most scenic short hike in the Canadian Rockies. On Sunday, July 28, 2013, I recorded my 57th “ascent” of the ridge. Most of my Parker Ridge...
by Brian Patton | Jul 19, 2013 | Banff National Park, hiking, Wildflowers
Boom Lake has always been one of our favourite early-season hikes. And Thursday, July 18, was no exception as we made our way along the 5.1-km trail to the lake from Boom Creek Picnic Area. The lush forest was filled with wildflowers, and the trip took a lot longer...
