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Autumn Road Closures in the Canadian Rockies
As happens every year following the Thanksgiving weekend, Parks Canada has closed all the side roads in Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks for the season. The week or two following these closures is always bittersweet—sad to see the end of summer but a great time...
Where the bears are in the Canadian Rockies
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...
Lake O’Hara – the best alpine larch trails in North America
Ask me about the best alpine larch trails in North America and I won’t hesitate to tell you Lake O’Hara. And the best time to be there is the third weekend in September. But if you don’t have a booking for the Lake O’Hara Lodge, Elizabeth Parker Hut, campground or...
Mudslide closes Jasper’s Cavell Road and area trails
The landscape just keeps moving beneath the north face of Mount Edith Cavell. Once again, Cavell Pond has overflowed and sent a rush of water and debris over the south end of the Cavell Road just below main parking area. The overflow occurred on the night of August...
A new approach to Jasper’s South Boundary Trail
It isn’t news to active hikers and backpackers in Jasper, but the South Boundary Trail as it appears in the 9th edition of the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide doesn’t really work anymore. In the last edition of our guidebook, we alluded to problems between Breccia Canyon...
Best alpine hikes in the Canadian Rockies
With hot weather in the upcoming forecast, my mind turns to the best alpine hikes in the Canadian Rockies. Back in the early days, people had a choice for cooling off during the heat of summer—go to a movie theatre (the first air-conditioned venues) or travel to the...
Favourite waterfall hikes in the Canadian Rockies
The first hot weather of summer brings to mind my favourite waterfall hikes in the Canadian Rockies. As snow and icefields start to melt, most of the waterfalls start to roar. Athabasca, Sunwapta, Takakkaw and Bow are all impressive cascades that are visited by...
Stanley Glacier trail closed for repairs in Kootenay National Park
One of Kootenay National Park’s most popular half-day hikes, the 4.2-km Stanley Glacier trail, will be closed from Wednesday, July 16 to August 31 while the flood-damaged trailhead bridge over the Vermilion River is being replaced. Restrooms and the south half of the...
Spreading Creek Wildfire, Banff National Park
The Spreading Creek Wildfire, ignited by lightning on Alberta forest land east of Saskatchewan River Crossing on July 3, 2014, has expanded into Banff National Park and resulted in the closure of several popular hiking trails. Parks Canada has closed trails around...