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Post wildfire recovery in Waterton Lakes National Park
It is estimated that 30% of Waterton Lakes National Park was burned by the Kenow wildfire that swept through the park in mid-September. The scenes of charred forest and buildings left park fans, including hikers, wondering what the future holds. For many who spent...
Review: Katadyn BeFree Microfilter
After years of searching for the perfect water filter for the backcountry, I recently discovered the Katadyn BeFree Microfilter with Hydrapak 0.6L flask—a water filter and soft, collapsible bottle that comes very close to the good old days of scooping water directly...
Backpacking Banff’s remote Front Ranges
Each summer, Calgary hiker Jim Shipley organizes a multi-day backpacking trip into the remote valleys and passes of Banff or Jasper Park, exploring country that he and his buddies haven't visited before. While Jim contacts us for pre-trip tips, we always receive more...
Waterton Lakes National Park: After the Kenow Wildfire
As autumn snow dusts the peaks down to the 2000-m level, Waterton Lakes National Park has reopened, more or less, and is licking its wounds following the Kenow wildfire, the most devastating forest fire in the park's history. The townsite is open for business...
Wildfire evacuation alert in Waterton Lakes National Park
September is the best time for a hiking holiday in Waterton Lakes National Park. But not this year. An out-of-control wildfire burning near the northwest corner of the park has placed all residents and visitors on notice for possible evacuation and the entire...
Fire hazard forces closure of BC parks
As British Columbia experiences its worst wildfire season ever, the BC Wildfire Service has closed access to the backcountry in the Rocky Mountain Forest District in the province's southeast corner, which includes Mount Assiniboine, Elk Lakes and Akamina-Kishinena...
Castleguard Meadows revisited
The trail to the Castleguard Meadows via Alexandra and Castleguard Rivers has never been easy. But since we first included it in the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide, there has been no maintenance and things have only gotten worse. A few intrepid backpackers make the...
Floe Lake, Rockwall Trail closed by wildfire
Update August 16, 2017—The trail to Floe Lake and the southern half of The Rockwall Trail have reopened. Keep track of current conditions on the Kootenay National Park Trail Condition Report. The Verdant Creek wildfire has claimed another popular hiking area in...
Mount Assiniboine Park closed by wildfire
Update July 31, 2017—Though trails in the southern half of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park reopened Wednesday, July 26, increased fire activity and a forecast of continued hot, dry weather prompted BC Parks to close the park again on Monday, July 31st. For the...