The Canadian Rockies: Waterton Lakes National Park
()
About this ebook
Read more from Koller
Banff National Park, Lake Louise & Icefields Parkway Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Canadian Rockies: Yoho & Kootenay National Parks Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Canadian Rockies: Jasper National Park Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Canadian Rockies Adventure Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to The Canadian Rockies
Related ebooks
The David Thompson Highway Hiking Guide – 2nd Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's New England: with the Best Fall Foliage Drives, Scenic Road Trips, and Acadia National Park Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides Explore Vancouver & BC (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBackpacking Arizona: From Deep Canyons to Sky Islands Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSt. John, US Virgin Islands Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Great Canadian Bucket List — British Columbia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJust a Nutter Road Trip Western USA: 20 States and 14 National Parks in 27 Days Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEasy Hiking Around Vancouver Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrommer's EasyGuide to Costa Rica 2016 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrossing Home Ground: A Grassland Odyssey through Southern Interior British Columbia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides Great Breaks Cotswolds (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's Essential Southwest: The Best of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Insight Guides US National Parks West (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: with the Best Scenic Road Trips Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMonument Valley, Moab, Glen Canyon, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon & Beyond – Southern Utah Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's Maine Coast: with Acadia National Park Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdventure Guide to the Inside Passage & Coastal Alaska Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's Arizona & the Grand Canyon Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne Best Hike: Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHooked on Hiking: Southern California: 50 Hiking Adventures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeer Hiking New England: The Tastiest Way to Discover Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBest Hiking in Southwest Colorado around Ouray, Telluride, Silverton and Lake City Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides USA on the Road (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTravel Guide Colorado Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Acadia: The Complete Guide: Acadia National Park & Mount Desert Island Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Virgin Islands: A Walking & Hiking Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShopping in Las Vegas Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's South Florida: with Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsZion National Park, an Interpretive Road Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTahoe Rim Trail: The Official Guide for Hikers, Mountain Bikers, and Equestrians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Canada Travel For You
A Complex Coast: A Kayak Journey from Vancouver Island to Alaska Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLonely Planet Montreal & Quebec City Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Lonely Planet Munich, Bavaria & the Black Forest Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lonely Planet Vancouver & Victoria Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides Canada (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Move to Canada: A Primer for Americans Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Weird Canada Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Rough Guide to Canada (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Insight Guides Explore Quebec (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Great Atlantic Canada Bucket List: One-of-a-Kind Travel Experiences Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Frommer's Banff & the Canadian Rockies day by day Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTwisted Tour Guide: Vancouver British Columbia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe World Almanac Road Trippers' Guide to National Parks: 5,001 Things to Do, Learn, and See for Yourself Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTrain Beyond the Mountains: Journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrop Circles: Signs, Wonders and Mysteries Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Frommer's EasyGuide to Montreal and Quebec City Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLonely Planet Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Backroads of Ontario Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBritish Columbia: A Natural History of Its Origins, Ecology, and Diversity with a New Look at Climate Change Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The UFO Hotspot Compendium: All the Places to Visit Before You Die or Are Abducted Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAlaska By Cruise Ship - 9th Edition: The Complete Guide to Cruising Alaska Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGuide to the Alaska Highway: Your Complete Driving Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBehind the Bench: Inside the Minds of Hockey's Greatest Coaches Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Insight Guides Explore Maritimes & Newfoundland (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsToronto Streets Book! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrommer's Montreal day by day Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsScrambles in the Canadian Rockies Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Easy Cycling Around Vancouver: Fun Day Trips for All Ages Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Up the Lake Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Reviews for The Canadian Rockies
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Canadian Rockies - Koller
The Canadian Rockies - Alberta's Waterton Lakes National Park
Brenda Koller
Hunter Publishing, Inc.
HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC.
comments@hunterpublishing.com
www.hunterpublishing.com
Ulysses Travel Publications
4176 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec
Canada H2W 2M5
tel. 514-843-9882, ext. 2232; fax 514-843-9448
The Boundary, Wheatley Road, Garsington
Oxford, OX44 9EJ England
tel. 01865-361122; fax 01865-361133
© Hunter Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume and hereby disclaim, liability for loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions are the result of negligence, accident or any other cause.
Introduction
My Travel Philosophy
How I’ve Organized The Book
Human History
Geology
Glaciers
Glacial Lakes
Hoodoos
Hot Springs
Life Zones
Montane
Subalpine
Alpine
Plants
Weather and Seasons
Wildlife
Wildlife Encounters
Seton Watching
Wildlife Viewing
Bighorn Sheep
Mountain Goat
White-tailed Deer
Mule Deer
Elk
Moose
Black Bear
Grizzly Bear
Coyote
Columbian Ground Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Least Chipmunk
Pika
Hoary Marmot
Beaver
Animal Tracks
Birding
National and Provincial Parks
National Park Regulations
Visitor Information Centres
Getting There and Getting Around
By Road
Motorhome Rentals
By Bus
By Air
By Rail
Where to Eat
Where to Stay
Private Accommodations
Hostelling
Camping
Photography Tips
What to Bring
Adventures Rockies-Style
Playing it Safe
Backcountry Wardens
Adventuring with Children
Tour Operators
Sports and Camping Equipment Rentals
Adventures On Water
Lake Boating
Canoeing
Swimming
Fishing
Whitewater Rafting
Adventures On Horseback
Adventures on Foot
Hiking
A Wilderness Code of Ethics
Insect Pests
Backpacking
What To Bring on a Hike
Climbing Gear
Day Hike
Backpacking
Duct Tape
Inukshuks
Mountain Biking
Bicycle Touring
Winter Adventures
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Cross-country Skiing
Outdoor Ice-Skating
Travel – General
Travelling with Dogs
When In Canada
Public Holidays – British Columbia and Alberta
Time Zones
The Language
Money Matters
Metric Matters
Telephone Calls
Alcohol and Tobacco
Information Sources
Waterton Lakes National Park
Rocky Mountain Travel Reflections – Waterton’s Wonder
History
The Call of the Mountains
Getting There & Getting Around
By Road
Distances from Waterton
International Ports of Entry
Bus Service
Car Rentals and Airports
Special Events
Townsite
Waterton Natural History Association
Shopping
Where to Eat
Waterton Weather
Where to Stay
Camping
Campsites in Waterton
Waterton Townsite
Crandell
Belly River
Pass Creek Winter Campground
Campgrounds Near Waterton National Park
Backcountry Camping
Hostelling
Tour Operators
Evening Wildlife Watching
Sports Rentals
Horseback Riding
Wildlife Habitat
Buffalo Paddocks
Crandell Loop
Carthew Summit
Water Activities
Whitewater Rafting
St. Mary’s River
Waterton River
Drives, Sights, Activities & Hikes
Maskinonge
Short Hikes and Strolls Around Waterton Townsite
Waterton Recreation Centre
Waterton Lakes Golf Course
International Peace Park Hike
Crypt Lake
Rocky Mountain Travel Reflections – Butterflying in Waterton
Akamina Parkway
Rowe Lakes – Lineham Ridge
Red Rock Parkway
Wildflowers in Waterton
Mountain Biking & Bicycle Touring
Winter Adventures
Wildlife
Scenic Must-See’s
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
To Do List
Carthew - Alderson Trail
Useful Information
Information Sources
Glossary of Terms
Bibliography/Recommended Reading
Waterton Lakes National Park
Introduction
What is it about the mountains that lure us in so captivatingly, leave us with a sense of awe and well being, and call us to return time again? Wilderness is the hallmark of Canada and the Rocky Mountains are one of its defining features. Canada is well known the world over for its cherished national and provincial parks and the Rocky Mountain Parks are the most famous of these protected areas.
The Rocky Mountains are a contiguous chain of mountains that stretch from the British Columbia/Yukon border all the way to New Mexico. The provinces of British Columbia and Alberta share the Canadian Rockies with the Continental Divide (the Great Divide) serving as the provincial boundary, a natural divide running along the highest peaks. The western boundary is a great long valley called the Rocky Mountain Trench and to the east are the Interior Plains. Divisions crosswise include: the northern Canadian Rockies, north of the Peace River; Central Canadian Rockies, from the Peace River to the Crowsnest Pass; and southern Canadian Rockies, south of the Crowsnest Pass to the international border.
In his classic book In the Heart of the Canadian Rockies(London: MacMillan & Co. Ltd., 1906), mountaineer James Outram (1864-1925) compares the splendour of Switzerland’s mountains with the United States and concludes that the wonderous glacial fields, the massing of majestic ranges, the striking individuality of each great peak, the forest areas, green pasture lands, clear lakes, and peaceful valleys, are nowhere found harmoniously blended on the western continent until the traveler visits that section of the Rocky Mountains which lies within the wide domain of Canada.
The Canadian Rockies are one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. About four million people annually visit Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks to experience the essence of Canada’s natural and cultural Rocky Mountain heritage. The parks offer a mind-boggling array of year-round choices for the visitor with more and more people venturing off the highways and roads to partake in the landscape and discover some of the most stunning scenery the world has to offer. Easily accessible adventures include walking, hiking and backpacking; mountain biking and bicycle touring; fishing, boating and rafting; horseback riding; skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing; and so much more. Then of course, there’s wildlife viewing. Visitors to the Canadian Rockies have the opportunity to see some of North America’s most spectacular animals including 69 different species of mammals. And where else but in the Canadian Rockies can you spend your morning hiking into spectacular wilderness areas and by afternoon enjoy high tea in the civilized surroundings of a grand hotel.
I have lived beside the Canadian Rockies all of my life and have been travelling to visit the Rockies since I was a child. Much has changed over the years. Along with park development and increased visitation has come environmental awareness and education. Each visit adds an array of new experiences and knowledge that reinforce my passion for the Rockies. I hope that you have the opportunity to experience some of the incredible sights and activities in this guidebook that I’m thrilled to share with you. I’m confident that you will treasure your Canadian Rockies’ experiences for a lifetime, as I do.
"Go, at any cost, and live among the mountains, forgetting that there is anything else in life . . ." Mary Jobe, an intrepid Rocky Mountain adventurer, ca 1912.
My Travel Philosophy
There’s so much you can prepare before you even pack a bag or make a single travel arrangement. By reading this guide you may already be gearing up for a trip to the Canadian Rockies. There’s much written material available about the Rockies and with the popularity of the internet, scads of information is available at your fingertips. So I’ve included plenty of web addresses as well as suggestions for fascinating further reading. The more you know before you depart, the more enjoyable and safe your trip will be.
In his article The Mental Training of a Traveller
(The Geographical Journal, February, 1915), British historian and statesman Viscount James Bryce (1838-1922) gives some good advice that is just as relevant today as it was back then:
If a man enters the finest picture-gallery in Europe knowing nothing at all about the painters, whose work is there stored, their dates, the schools they belonged to, or the subjects they painted, he will derive very little benefit, and will carry away a most confused impression; but a little preliminary study will enable him to appreciate and enjoy pictures in a way which will be profitable all the rest of his life. So it is when we enter the vast gallery of Nature. If we start to travel with a certain amount of preliminary knowledge, our travels repay us more and more at every step. The three things we ought to carry with us in order to learn and to profit are these: first of all, we ought to know what to look for; secondly, how to observe; and thirdly, how to reflect upon the things we do observe.
There are two ways to arrange your Rocky Mountain visit.