by Brian Patton | Jul 26, 2015 | Jasper National Park, Wildfire, Wildlife |
Some of Jasper National Park’s most popular trails reopened this week as the danger from wildfire and rogue bears subsided. Rain and cooler weather dampened the Excelsior Creek Fire in the Maligne Valley, and allowed Parks Canada to lift travel restrictions for... by Brian Patton | Jul 23, 2015 | Kananaskis Country, Wildlife |
A grizzly bear moved into the Chester Lake cirque in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park on Sunday (July 19, 2015), resulting in the indefinite closure of that trail. It was a prime example of what happens when too many people wander into a grizzly’s dining room, and... by Brian Patton | Oct 7, 2014 | History, Wildlife
There are certain trails in the Canadian Rockies where I always think about bears. But I always think about them more, and somewhat nervously, when hiking alone in the autumn. The incidence of serious grizzly encounters always seems to rise in the fall. Bears are at... by Brian Patton | Jun 10, 2014 | Wildlife
A minor miracle this spring with wood ticks in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve hiked three notorious “tick” trails and returned without any of these annoying little critters crawling on my body or in my hair. Now that trails on southerly-exposed slopes are opening up... by Brian Patton | Oct 23, 2013 | Banff National Park, Wildlife |
We don’t expect to see many animals when we’re hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Ground squirrels, grey jays and, if we’re on the right trail, maybe hoary marmots, pikas and ptarmigan. If we’re looking for wildlife, the big sexy kind like bear, bighorn... by Brian Patton | Aug 27, 2013 | Banff National Park, 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....