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Jasper’s backcountry trail crisis
Washed out bridges that aren’t replaced. Deteriorating backcountry campsites with grotty outhouses. Landslides and fires wiping out sections of trails, some permanently. Tracks over alpine passes awash and churned into muddy soup. Numerous trails decommissioned...
Park wardens: past and present
When we published the 2nd edition of the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide in 1978, Jim Thorsell provided the cover photo of two park wardens in wool knickers packing from Floe Lake to Numa Pass (below). When Jim revisited Floe Lake last month, he discovered two very...
A case for park trailminders
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 groups to...
Remembering Mel Hurtig
Remembering Mel Hurtig, who passed away last week at age 84 after a brief illness, and a myriad of articles have been published across Canada lauding his achievements and devotion to Canada. But I also remember him as a friend and an enthusiastic walker who loved the...
New Gem Trek maps – Kootenay and Bow Lake
Gem Trek Maps has just released a batch of revised titles including Bow Lake & Saskatchewan Crossing and Kootenay National Park. Printed on waterproof material and with topographical contours and attractive relief shading, they are welcome revisions to what we...
Bug Wars: DEET Alternatives?
For over 50 years outdoor folk have been using insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), but there are alternatives. In concentrations of 15% or more, it has been the most effective and reliable barrier against mosquitoes, ticks, and other...
Sunshine Village gondola opens for summer
After an absence of 20 years, the Sunshine Village gondola will once again transport hikers to the Sunshine Meadows on weekends and holidays for the 2016 season. The gondola will commence its summer operation on July 1st with the bonus of a free ride on the Standish...
Akamina Parkway closure
Hikers bound for several of Waterton Lakes National Park's most popular trails won't have the luxury of driving to trailheads on the Akamina Parkway this summer. Parks Canada has closed the popular 16-kilometre roadway from Waterton Townsite to Cameron Lake while...
Early season hiking in Banff and Waterton Lakes
It's been one of the earliest springs on record. But if you've ever wondered why we don't recommend for our readers to hit the high country trails, all you have to do is check out Waterton Lakes National Park trail conditions and you'll see that at the time of writing...