Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountains park photo galleries:
The Canadian Rockies rival any mountains in the world for breathtaking beauty.
Canadian Rockies National Parks featured in this article are Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Robson, and Waterton Lakes, and Provincial Parks include Mount Assiniboine (British Columbia) and Peter Lougheed (Alberta).
Columbia Mountains: West of the Rockies in British Columbia, the Rocky Mountain Trench geologically splits off the Columbia Mountains, which include Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, Bugaboo Provincial Park, and Bowron Lake Provincial Park.
Enjoy these wonderful parks by camper, bicycle, feet, and canoe. See many wild animals in their natural home: wapiti (elk), osprey, Mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis), black bear, grizzly bear, Columbian Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus columbianus), Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel.
CANADA: mountain park favorite photos
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Above are highlights of more extensive galleries below.
The following Canadian Rocky Mountains parks comprise a spectacular World Heritage Area listed by UNESCO in 1984: Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, and Mount Robson Provincial Park (plus Hamber Provincial Park, not pictured). Below those are galleries of parks in the Columbia Mountains in British Columbia.
Rockies: Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks: photo gallery
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Rockies: Hikes and tips for Banff National Park, Alberta
Banff town and nearby
Hike over Cory Passon the Mount Edith loop trail (best walked clockwise, 8 miles) with impressive views of the spire of Mount Louis. The trail is sometimes rough and steep, but scenically rewarding. Beware of steep snow patches and don’t hike in inclement weather. We hiked snow-free on August 29, 2009.
Drive Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A), a slower, scenic route which parallels main Highway 1, between Lake Louise and Banff.
Johnston Canyon hike: Start early in the morning (or offseason) to get ahead of busloads of hikers on this deservedly popular trail. Easily walk 1 to 7 miles, 300-800 feet gain, through an attractive gorge with waterfalls. Only walk further to the Ink Pots if you want more exercise.
Egypt Lake is an excellent backpacking trip (with optional hut) starting from Sunshine Village (via bus) and/or its parking lot.
Lake Louise town
Beehive loop hike: Start early in the morning, and expect crowds of walkers on this very scenic hike from Lake Louise to Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, looping back via the Beehive and Lake Agnes Teahouse. Atop the Big Beehive, admire turquoise Lake Louise and Fairmont Chateau where you started far below.
Moraine Lake, in Valley of the Ten Peaks
Whether or not you walk to the pleasant Consolation Lakes, don’t miss the short side trip up a little hill for the stunning overview of beautiful blue-green Moraine Lake, just across the outlet stream.
Sentinel Pass (7750 feet elev) is one of our favorite hikes in the world. Hike 7 miles round trip, 720 meters up (2370 feet). Larch trees turn beautifully yellow in mid September. Park your vehicle early in the morning (before 9:00am in summer) at popular Moraine Lake before the lot fills. (We don’t recommend the extra car shuttle effort of walking further from Sentinel Pass down Paradise Valley to a separate trailhead, 10.4 miles, 2370 up, 2900 down.)
Icefields Parkway, from Lake Louise over Sunwapta Pass to Jasper
See classic Rocky Mountains reflected in Herbert Lake. Bow Lake reflects Crowfoot Mountain. Great viewpoints overlook blue-green Peyto Lake and Bow Pass.
Sunwapta Pass area
Mount Athabasca and other peaks rise impressively above the road.
Hot Showers in Banff NP: Lake Louise Campground, Johnston Canyon Campground, Banff Tunnel Mountain Village Campgrounds 1 and 2 (plus Banff Upper Hot Springs nearby), and Two Jack Lakeside Campground.
Food: Get groceries in Banff and Jasper. Food is more expensive at Saskatchewan Crossing (small grocery & restaurant), Castle Junction, and Lake Louise. Restaurants are at Vermilion Crossing in Banff and Sunwapta Falls in Jasper.
RV dump stations: Tunnel Mountain, Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, and Waterfowl Lakes campgrounds.
Rockies: Hikes and sights in Jasper National Park, Alberta
Jasper town
The Whistlers Tramway and hike: to save your knees, hike up 4000 feet and take the Tramway down (or Tramway round trip). See distant views of Victoria Cross Range, Colin Range, and Mount Edith Cavell.
Lower Maligne Canyon: hike above a scenic slot canyon and gorge.
Miette Hot Springs: Soak in the hottest springs in the Rockies, with a stunning view of Ashlar Ridge. Drive 1 hour from Jasper. 8:30 am – 10:30 pm summer hours. Open May 2-Oct 13 in 2003. On the turn up Miette Road is Pocahontas Campground (reservations accepted), which will save you from driving an hour back to Jasper.
Mount Edith Cavell: Hike 2-5 miles to see spectacular Angel Glacier and Cavell Pond.
Athabasca Falls: Athabasca River plunges impressively at this roadside overlook and short walk.
Sunwapta Falls: scenic roadside overlook.
Columbia Icefield Visitors Centre
Admire the Athabasca Glacier. Ride the SnoCoach on Columbia Icefield.
Wilcox Pass: Hike 5 miles round trip, 1082 feet gain (7,790 feet max elevation). Start at Wilcox Creek Campround, 1.2 miles east of Icefields Centre.
Parker’s Ridge, in Banff NP (7200ft elev): Walk 3 miles round trip, with 910 feet gain, for a great view of Saskatchewan Glacier. Park at marked trailhead, 5 miles south of Icefields Centre.
Nigel Pass hike.
Hot showers in Jasper NP: The Whistlers Campground (closes in mid October), Wapiti Campground (closes in early September), and Miette Hot Springs (day use).
RV Dump Stations: Whistlers Campground, Wilcox Creek Campground.
Rockies: Yoho National Park, British Columbia
Camp at Kicking Horse Campground or adjacentMonarch Campground.
Emerald Lake
Walk around beautiful Emerald Lake.
Reserve a visit to the geologically important Burgess Shale.
If you stay at Emerald Lake Lodge, you can rent a canoe.
Lake O’Hara (6600 ft elevation) in Yoho National Park is a gorgeous area with many classic hikes. No cars or cycling are allowed on the bus road to Lake O’Hara.
HIKE OPTION (easiest & cheapest): Hike Cataract Brook to Lake O’Hara in 8 miles, 1350 feet gain, then take free bus ride out at 5:30 or 6:30pm, with no reservations required (as we did in 2001 — it’s worth repeating).
BUS OPTION: Open June 19 – October 6 as of 2003. Taking the bus to Lake O’Hara starts several gorgeous day hikes of any length. The bus allows one large or two small pieces of baggage per person. Tent sites have tent pads, well water, cooking shelter, pit toilets. For in-person 24-hour advance reservations: get in line at 7:15am the day before you wish to visit O’Hara (a line forms before office opens), at Yoho Visitor Centre in Field, BC. Bus and tent campground reservations by phone (250.343.6433) charge an extra fee and are only refunded 4 days in advance before 4pm.
Hike Odaray Highline Trail to Odaray Grandview Prospect.
Walk around Lake O’Hara.
Yoho Valley:
Iceline Trail
Takakkaw Falls
Field in Yoho NP is 3.5 hours drive from Jasper townsite.
Rockies: Kootenary National Park, British Columbia
The Rockwall’s east-facing cliffs form the backbone of the Vermilion Range, which stretches nearly 40 kilometers (24 miles). The Rockwall soars 1000 meters (3300 feet) over Floe Lake, an excellent backpacking destination, 10.7km one way.
Rockies: Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia
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Photos include Lake Magog, Sunburst Lake, Cerulean Lake, Nub Peak trail, and a Columbian Ground Squirrel. Hike from Banff National Park to Rock Isle Lake via Sunshine Meadows.
A helicopter can optionally carry you and/or your backpack to Assiniboine Lodge in the remote wilderness at Lake Magog with great views of Mount Assiniboine (11,871 feet, the “Matterhorn of Canada”). Comfortable private rooms in the Lodge are pricey. A cheaper option is to book your group into the dormitory style Naiset Huts and use their Wonder Lodge Cooking Shelter for comfortable indoor communal cooking (gas cookers provided) and socializing. Or carry a tent and camping gear about 25 minutes further to Lake Magog Campground.
Mount Assiniboine backpacking trip
Trailhead: Spray Lakes-Mount Shark Day Use Parking, on gravel road 1 hour (41.3 km) west of Canmore, Alberta (or 1.5 hours drive from Banff, or 3 hours drive from Calgary).
Day 1: hike 7.5 miles, 400 feet up, 300 feet down to Bryant Creek Shelter (6000′).
Day 2: hike 6.7 miles, 1100′ up through Assiniboine Pass (7000′) and then to Naiset Cabins at Lake Magog (7100′), below towering Mount Assiniboine.
Days 3 and 4: Layover days, for hiking around this beautiful area.
Day 5: hike 7.9 miles, 750′ up, 1850′ down, through Wonder Pass (7850′) past huge Marvel Lake to Bryant Creek Shelter (6000′).
Day 6: hike 7.5 miles, 300′ up, 400′ down retracing Day 1, back to trailhead.
Or use the helicopter: Send your backpack ahead by helicopter and hike the 14.2 miles in one day. We enjoyed this service going out!
The optional Citadel Pass route to Mount Assiniboine starts at Sunshine Village (7200’), reached via bus in in Banff NP. Hike 8.7 miles to Porcupine Campground, then 9.5 miles to Assiniboine Lodge Naiset Huts (at 7100′ elevation). The hardest part is a steep descent from Citadel Pass (7740’) to Porcupine Campground (6000’).
Rockies: Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia
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Camping near Mount Robson trailhead
Getting there: Mount Robson Provincial Park Visitor Centre is 1 hour drive from Jasper town, or 200 miles (4.5 hours drive) from Field in Yoho NP.
Robson Meadows Campground: hot showers; 93 sites first-come first-served, 32 sites reservable 2 days to 3 months prior at at www.pccamping.ca or 1.877.737.3783 from 7am-7pm.
Robson River Campground: hot showers, 19 sites first-come first-served.
Lucerne Campground is located on Yellowhead Lake in British Columbia, 10 km west of Alberta boundary, 32 sites first-come first-served, no showers.
Robson Shadows Campground: 5 km west of Mount Robson PP Visitor Centre, panoramic view of Mount Robson, 25 natural campsites on Fraser River, hot showers, group site, phone 250-566-9190, reservations 1.888.566.4821.
Berg Lake, Mt Robson backpacking
In 2008, Carol and I fondly revisited Berg Lake, our first international backpacking destination together (1995), plus other parks, with a group of friends. Backpacking to Berg Lake is 22 kilometers (13 miles) one way. All campsites have bear poles, pit toilets, washbasins and grey-water pits. Reserve backcountry sites at 1-877-737-3783, change at 1-800-689-9025, 7am-7pm.
Day 1: Hike 6.5 miles, 870 feet up to Whitehorn Campground (3700 feet elev).
Day 2: Hike 5.6 miles, 1700 feet up to Berg Lake Campground (5400 feet elev).
Day 3: Allow time for the eye-popping dayhike to spectacular Snowbird Pass, one of our world favorites.
Day 4: Hike out 13 miles in one day, mostly downhill.
Or on Day 4, hike 7.9 miles , 2100 down, to Kinney Lake campground (3300 feet elev). Then on Day 5, hike from Kinney Lake campground to trailhead 4.1 miles, 470 feet down.
Rockies: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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Staying in Elkwood Campground gives you quick access to Mari Lake Trail and other hikes in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Images include: Rawson Lake trail, Mari Lake reflections, Sarrail Creek waterfall, and Upper Kananaskis Lake. Kananaskis Country is an improvement district (rural municipal administration) west of Calgary in the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies.
Rockies: Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
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Images include: A stream flowing through colorful sedimentary geology in Red Rock Canyon, and mountains reflected in Waterton Lake.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada and Glacier National Park, Montana, USA comprise Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which is honored by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. See related articles:
Columbia Mountains, Purcell Range: The Bugaboos, British Columbia
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Bugaboo Provincial Park lies in the Purcell Mountain Range south of Golden, British Columbia. The stunning beauty of the Bugaboos attracts climbers and hikers from around the world. In late September, Bugaboo Park has fewer visitors and has the best fall colors in the forest of tamarack larch with deciduous yellow needles. Luxury accomodation is at CMH Bugaboo Lodge and CMH Bobby Burns Lodge just outside the park.
Getting to the Bugaboos: Most potential visitors are justifiably distracted by many other nearby Canadian Rockies parks and never make it up the rough gravel logging road to Bugaboo Park trail head. From Spillimacheen or Brisco, drive west 30 miles in 1.5 hours on a gravel road (very rough for the last few miles), to a parking lot with a great view of peaks and glaciers. Curiously, every parked vehicle is barricaded with chicken wire fencing! Apparently, local porcupines have developed a taste for wiring and anti-freeze fluid. Hike 2400 feet vertically in 3 miles to Conrad Kain Hut for breathtaking views of nearby Bugaboo Glacier, soaring granite spires, and sedimentary Rocky Mountains across the valley. This trail makes a fantastic day hike or awesome overnight hike with convenient shelter in Kain Hut (which for a fee provides propane stoves and space for people with a sleeping bag) or nearby campground.
Nearby hikes with excellent views, for our next visit:
Hike up Chalice Creek and Ridge 12k round trip, 660 meters gain (2160 ft).
Hike Cobalt Lake: 17k round trip, 914 meters (3000 ft) gain, and descend 150 m (500 ft) to Cobalt Lake.
Hike to Silver Basin 7.6 round trip, 450 m gain (1500 ft).
Geology of the Bugaboos and Purcell Mountain Range
The ancient Purcell Mountains (a subrange of the Columbia Mountains) formed from sediments around 1.5 billion years ago, a time on earth when only algae grew. Not until the age of the dinosaurs did the much younger Rockies appear east of the Rocky Mountain Trench. Near the end of the Rocky Mountains creation, masses of molten rock pierced the old metamorphic rocks of the Purcells and cooled into hard crystalline granodiorite batholiths of the Bugaboos, 135 to 70 million years ago. Glaciers and water chiseled away weak overlying rock and revealed spectacular granite spires of the Bugaboos. Mining peaked in nearby Bugaboo Falls around 1906 — miners described a deadend mineral lead as a ”bugaboo,” the park’s namesake. (Some USA maps label the “Percell Mountains” where their southern limit protrudes into the states of Idaho and Montana.)
Columbia Mountains: Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks, British Columbia
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Columbia Mountains: Bowron Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia
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See: “Pardon Me, I’ll Run to my Ambulance Now.” This true story from Bowron Lake Provincial Park recounts our adventurous 73-mile canoe trip paddling a rectangular circuit of wilderness lakes, where we portaged by rolling the canoe on wheels.
Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park (2003 Mountaineers Books) by Vicky Spring. The ultimate trail guide to one of the most beautiful hiking places in the world.
by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson
(2010)
by Oliver Berry
(2011) by Cannings
