Canadian Rockies Hiking Blog
South Boundary Trail—The Movie
RAGING RIVERS! RAVENOUS WOLVES PURSUING FRANTIC DEER! GRIZZLY BEARS ON THE PROWL! TRAILS THAT SUDDENLY DISAPPEAR! Share the adventure as two intrepid backpackers follow a fading 120-km track through Jasper's most remote mountain wilderness. Despite...
Desperately seeking shuttles at Lake Louise
The expansion of shuttle bus routes at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake this summer promised to ease some of the congestion and improve access to these two popular destinations. But things haven't been running smoothly. Here are some comments that were sent to my blog...
Waterton’s bike-and-hike summer, 2019
A lot of restoration is underway in Waterton Lakes National Park this summer as crews work to rebuild facilities, clear hazard trees, and restore roadways and trails in the wake of the devastating 2017 Kenow Wildfire. But limitations to motor vehicle access is...
Wildflowers and wood ticks: Spring hikes in the Mountain Parks
Stretching your legs for another hiking season starts now. Here are some favourite early trips that virtually guarantee wildflowers and wood ticks. I'm always amazed how so many hikers rush the season in the Canadian Rockies. The marquee trails leading to high lakes,...
More shuttle buses in Banff for 2019
Hikers have more options to reach popular trails at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake this summer. Banff National Park has announced an expanded schedule of shuttle bus service for the park this season, one that could help visitors travelling to and from the popular...
Backpacking to Maligne with Mary
Five intrepid backpackers celebrate the end of a hot, smoky summer with a soggy ten-day trek from the North Saskatchewan River to Maligne Lake on the Great Divide Trail. Fog, drizzle, rain, sleet, snow! Jim Shipley and his buddies did something this summer that I...
Finding the trail to Castleguard Meadows
The old trail to Castleguard Meadows via the Alexandra and Castleguard Rivers is a tough slog. But those who make it there, either by the fading trail or over the Saskatchewan Glacier, will never forget this remarkable region. Finding the way on this remote route,...
Canada’s Great Divide Trail revisited
It has been 18 years since Dustin Lynx released the first edition of Hiking Canada's Great Divide Trail. This summer he published a totally revised third edition of the guidebook, which remains the best source for intrepid backpackers who want to tackle this daunting...
Testing Mark’s permethrin-treated clothing
When Mark's suddenly released a line of permethrin-treated clothing under its WindRiver label this past spring, it came as a huge, personal surprise. For several years, I had been questioning why Canada was reluctant to approve insect-repellent clothing while it was...