by Brian Patton | Sep 6, 2021 | Home page News, Lake Louise, Lake O'Hara, National Parks, Yoho National Park
Most of the day hikes in the Canadian Rockies are one way, up-and-back. But there’s no doubt hikers prefer loop trips, or circuits, that don’t require retracing their steps. Here are a few of the best. One of my favourite guidebooks is the...
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...
by Brian Patton | Dec 14, 2016 | banff, Banff National Park, government, hiking, National Parks
Planning a trip to the mountain parks this summer? Prepare for gridlock. Canada, the Canadian Rockies, and particularly Banff, are everywhere you look these days. On the cover of the December-January issue of National Geographic Traveler and as the subject of a...
by Brian Patton | Aug 30, 2016 | Kootenay National Park, National Parks
The recent citation issued to a civilian trailminder in Kootenay Park has brought national attention to a question I’ve been asking for quite sometime. Why is it that provincial parks, lands & forest agencies, and municipalities can work with volunteer...
by Brian Patton | Sep 23, 2015 | hiking, Lake O'Hara, Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park, National Parks, Waterton Lakes National Park, Yoho National Park
Just like Halloween and Christmas, alpine larches (Larix lyallii) are providing an annual celebration in the Rockies’ high country. And despite rather grim weather last weekend, hundreds of larch enthusiasts hiked through mud and rain to pay homage to this...
by Brian Patton | Aug 12, 2015 | Jasper National Park, National Parks
The 2015 Perseid meteor shower promises to arrive in the night skies over the Mountain Parks in spectacular fashion this week. Often obscured by clouds or the light of the moon, both the moon (new moon August 14) and the weather are cooperating this year. The Perseids...
