It’s not just the road less traveled that’s worthwhile. In a Park Radio interview Graeme Pole discussed the 3rd edition of his book “Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies.” During the interview Graeme proposed that we don’t always have to go looking for new places to hike.

Graeme said, “I feel a bit of a responsibility to the landscape. I’ve seen trails appear where there were no trails.” He explained that the wildlife is boxed in by the boundaries of the parks. We’re pushing the boundaries by encroaching the wildlife when we continually seek new trails. Instead of sending people out everywhere, Graeme recommends trying the well beaten, maintained routes that Canadians through their taxes have constructed and invested in maintaining.

The book contains the hikes that have been standard for 30-40 years ever since backpacking caught on. In the interview Graeme said that classic hikes feature trademark views, such as Mount Loui Dogtooth limestone peak and the peaks around Lake Louise. The human history of who’s gone on a path before also contribute to its classic status.

With the details in the guide, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for some tried and true paths. Graeme Pole says you’ll “probably find more elaborate and nuggeted information about wildflowers, wild animals, and natural processes – where you will see them on the trail.” The guide also details natural history, human history, and how and why trails were built and rerouted. If you utilize the cross referencing in the book you’ll gain a bigger picture of environmental concerns and historical issues.

The most recent edition has been updated with new maps, new photos, and a more contemporary environmental outlook. Graeme explained in the interview that every guidebook needs to be revised around every 8-10 years because of bureaucratic changes, environmental changes, and changes in the landscape. Sometimes the landscape changes subtly, such as when more humans regularly visit an area. Sometimes dramatic changes occur such as the ones that happened after the Kootenay fires.

The book also holds an impressive integrity of information. For example, the pictures of famous sites are taken from the paths that Graeme details, rather than from more convenient vantage points. The book is also designed to be appealing to the eye.

What are some of the classic hikes that Grame describes in the book? Listen to the interview “Classic Hikes on Park Radio” to learn more about them!

Also, be sure to enter our monthly trivia quiz for a chance to win one of Graeme’s other books!

The Jasper map made its TV debut on The Amazing Race Canada reality TV show last week! The second episode of Season 4 shows the participants beginning the second leg of The Amazing Race Canada. Participants Jillian and Emmett were shown using the Jasper map to catch the first bus to Calgary.

This is the first year the Jasper map has made a television appearance, but it’s not the first year it’s been used by thousands of people visiting the rugged and beautiful Jasper Park. CMI Publishing began printing the map annually in 2010. You can find a copy at a visitor centre or access the digital edition at any time.

Watch the video clip below to see the Jasper map’s appearance on the show, which aired Tuesday, July 5!

We’ll be posting our July trivia question soon, but we want to give you one more chance to answer the June trivia question. With the true/false format we have for the first question, you have a 50/50 chance of answering correctly! Remember that there was a glitch with the contest entry form and entries submitted June 22-24. Due to the glitch, all the fields of the entry form appeared blank and the entries did not show the contestants’ names, email addresses, or their answers. Please submit your entry again if you entered during June 22-24.

Each contestant who submits the correct answer will be entered in a draw for copy of Graeme Pole’s book The Spiral Tunnels and the Big Hill. The book chronicles the exciting history of the second-steepest mainline railway track ever operated in North America.

Happy Canada Day!

An eastbound passenger train at the #1 safety switch, ca. 1890

We’ve brought our monthly trivia contest back with a special railroad emphasis! Graeme Pole has written a collection of questions about the Canadian Pacific Railway’s history and also supplied us with some historic photos.

To enter the trivia contest, simply visit the Trivia Contest page to submit your name, email address, and answer. (The question for the month of June has a simple true/false answer!) Contestants who submit the correct answer will be entered in a draw for copy of Graeme Pole’s book The Spiral Tunnels and the Big Hill. Readers will learn the exciting history of the second-steepest mainline railway track ever operated in North America.

NOTE: There was a glitch with the contest entry form and entries submitted June 22-24. Due to the glitch, all the fields of the entry form appeared blank and the entries did not show the contestants’ names, email addresses, or their answers. Please submit your entry again if you entered during June 22-24.

An eastbound passenger train at the #1 safety switch, ca. 1890

Our 2016-2017 Experience the Mountain Parks Photo Contest is now live. To enter, simply read the rules (they include new information), submit a photo you’ve taken in a mountain park in Alberta or British Columbia, and provide your contact information along with some info about the picture. That’s it! You can enter as many photos as you like.

• Judges Category Grand Prize: $1,500 gift certificate to The Camera Store
• Judges Category Second Place Prize: 2 Day Golden Getaway
• Voting Category Prize: 2 Night Getaway to Kananaskis Country (courtesy of Stoney Nakoda Resort and  Rockies Heli Canada)

Remember to vote for your favourite photo, too – it could win the Voting Category Prize!

“3 Isle Lake” – by Brandon Born (2015-2016 Judges Category Second Place Winner)

This weekend, four art galleries in Banff join together for “Art in the Park: Gallery and Wine Hop.” This new event showcases the incredible artistic diversity in Banff and gives you an opportunity to grow in your appreciation for art and culture.

The hours are:

Today (Friday, May 6) – 5pm – 8pm

Saturday, May 7 – 3pm – 6pm

Participating Venues

All In The Wild Photography • 105 Banff Avenue
Gingko & Ink Atelier • Harmony Lane, 111 Banff Avenue
Canada House Gallery • 201 Bear Street
Willock & Sax Gallery • 210 Bear Street

You can tour all of the galleries for free, and the wine tasting is $1 each. People of every age are welcome to join the Gallery Hop. However, you must provide valid proof of ID for Wine Tasting to show that you are over the age of 18.

If you visit all four participating galleries, you can enter to win a special prize by collecting a stamp at each gallery. The prize winner will receive an exclusive dining and accommodation package for even more fun in Banff!

Here is a list of more special events to enjoy in Banff over the next several days:

Rocky Mountain Winter Wonderland. May 3 -8, Whyte Museum.
Climate & Landscape Conservation. May 6, Whyte Museum.
Drawn to Nature. May 6, Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum.
Veuve Clicquot Champagne & Oyster Bar. May 7, Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort.
Coors Light Presents: Snowchella Concert Series – Tim Hus. May 7 -8, Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort.
Mom’s Ski for Free. May 8, Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort.
Qigong & Yin Yoga Workshop. May 9, Dance for Joy Studio Banff.
Visual Art Lecture Series : Quinn Latimer. May 10, The Banff Centre – Lloyd Hall Bourgeau Lounge.

Click here for a full schedule of events happening in Banff and Lake Louise this spring.

The votes are in, the judges have chosen their favourite pictures, and we can now announce the winners of our 2015 Experience the Mountain Parks Photo Contest!

First of all, we want to thank everyone who entered our tenth annual contest. We were blown away by the number of stunning photos that were entered. Thank you to everyone who voted for their favourite picture, too. The winner of our Voting Category alone had 1,145 votes!

And now – on to the winners!

Voting Category

Our readers had the opportunity to vote for their favourite entry. Some of the photos received dozens of votes, and some received hundreds, and “Peyto Lake (Black and White)” won with over 1,000 votes! Photographer Luke Scanlon wins a 2 Night Getaway to Kananaskis Country that includes:

2 night stay package that includes:
· 2 night’s accommodation
· voucher for buffet dinner for 2 people, and
· continental breakfast each morning
(est retail value of $250)

Rockies Heli Canada 
$200 Gift Certificate for a heli tour

“Peyto Lake (Black and White)” – by Luke Scanlon

Judges Category Grand Prize

We’d like to congratulate Lloyd Dykstra for winning the top prize in the Judges Category! His dynamic entry “Athabasca Falls & Mt. Kerkeslin in Jasper” wins him a $1,500 Gift Certificate courtesy of The Camera Store in Calgary.

“Athabasca Falls and Mt. Kerkeslin” – by Lloyd Dykstra

Judges Category Second Place

Brandon Born won the second place prize for his vivid entry “3 Isle Lake.” He wins a Dream Getaway to Waterton Lakes National Park, which includes:

· Two nights at the Waterton Glacier Suites (value $600)
· Boat cruise with Shoreline Cruises for 2 ($80)
· Green Fee for two at the Waterton lakes Golf Course ($110)
· Boat rentals at Cameron Lake boat rentals ($40)
· Horseback riding with Alpine Stables, one hour ( $80.00)
· Breakfast at the Lakeside Chophouse ($40.00)
· Lunch at Wiener of Waterton ($40.00)
· Lunch at Zumms ( $75.00)
· Dinner at Pizza of Waterton ($75.00)
· Dinner at Trappers Mountain Grill ($75.00)
· Breakfast at Vimmy’s Grill

“3 Isle Lake” – by Brandon Born

Judges Category Third Place

Terri Vidricaire captured the delightful “Dandelion Bear” picture that won third place. As a prize, Terri will receive two Adult Ultimate Explorer Packages courtesy of Brewster Travel Canada.

“Dandelion Bear” – by Terri Vidricaire

Honourable Mentions

All the terrific entries made judging a challenge! Because we received many quality photos, we’re also recognizing two honourable mentions in addition to our prize winners.

“Waterton at dawn” – by Leonard Heinonen

“The Iconic Bighorn Mountain Sheep” – by Moe Haimour

Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest this year! Watch for us to announce the details of the 2016 Experience the Mountain Parks Photo Contest in a few months. Meanwhile, check out the Photo Contest on our sister site, Experience Calgary’s Greenway.

Banff’s Snow Days closes this weekend with the exciting “Big Bear” event on Friday and Saturday. The Big Bear is a showdown among ski and snowboard pros set to the adrenaline-pumping sounds of DJ’s. This year the event will take place at a new and unique location: the Banff Train Station. You’ll love that this action-packed show is free!

Between sessions you will have opportunities to win great prizes, like tickets to the Saturday night “Official After Party” at Wild Bills featuring DJ Felix Cartal with special guest DJ B-KODE.  Tickets for the After Party will only be given away through contests and giveaways, so you must WIN to Get In.

The action starts on Friday night from 6PM – 9PM with the Terrain Park Showdown, which is a fun competition among three ski & snowboard resorts. On Saturday you can visit the Big Bear from 3PM until 9PM. In addition to amazing performances from skiiers and snowboarders, there will also be DJ music. Visit Wild Bill’s Beer Garden with Molson product, BBQ by Banff Ave. Brewing Co, and Free McCafe Coffee for food and beverage. If you want to get moving too, then you can skate at the outdoor skating rink right at the Train Station. Even young children can join the fun in the Family Fun Zone where they can try out Burton Learn to Snowboard Riglet Park or the learn to ski area.

For more details, visit BanffLakeLouise.com/SnowDays.

It’s time to choose a cover image for the 2016 Experience the Mountain Parks guide, and it could be featured on the next cover. To cast your vote, simply leave a comment saying whether you like Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, or Image 4 best. Alternatively, you can email hannah@ cmipublishing.ca with your vote. Please reference the “2016 Experience the Mountain Parks cover” in your subject line.

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But travelling the Icefields Parkway by motorized vehicle is cheating. The full experience of the Parkway is best achieved by bicycle. And that is what I did in late August of this year, with my eldest son Jamie (he accepted happily) and my youngest son, Liam (he accepted forcibly). My wife Jane’s cousin John organized our trip and brought along his son Myles, same age as Liam and an old school chum, Gerry, who has ridden often with John over the years.

John engaged Mountain Madness Tours for the trip and arranged for our rental bikes. The operator of Mountain Madness Tours is Ben Johnson, an entrepreneurial Aussie who has worked out the kinks of doing the Icefields Parkway and was an uplifting presence throughout the trip. He has coined artful names for various dodgy parts of the Parkway which include Big Bump (you can guess what this was … very steep); the Kicka, translated as Kicker in North American lingo, which represents an unexpected increase in incline at the end of a very long hill (no one liked this … ugh!); and Whoopsies, for numerous unexpected inclines after a nice long descent (we really liked those … not).

We did the Icefields Parkway in just shy of three days, then pushed on to Canmore, AB where John has a nice place with proximity to his play in the mountains (west) and his work in Calgary (east). In all, the bike trip was a four day event, spanning a distance of 320 km (200 miles). Our group also included Sean and Kayleigh, a young power couple from Stratford, Ontario, who rarely relinquished the lead in our trip; Brent (he used a hybrid bike!) and Katherine from Rossland, BC; and Ellaine from Edmonton, who as a TV journalist was scoping out the sites for the upcoming Tour de Alberta.

Day 1

Ben picked our group up in Canmore on August 21. The plan was to drive up to Jasper, 320 km away, offload our bikes and start back from there on a ~ 50 km bike ride back to Sunwapta Falls (first leg in the afternoon) along the Parkway. As we approached the higher elevations of the Parkway on our way to Jasper we were met with snow squalls. Some of us first noticed this by remarking on snow accumulation on the grilles of vehicles coming the opposite direction. Soon it was evident that snow accumulation was happening. A silence fell on our tour group … road bikes with thin tires are not optimal in snowy conditions, especially for downhill excursions. This was made evident when we passed another bicycle tour group where most of the group had claimed defeat by the conditions and had already boarded their bus … except for one lone cyclist with a grim look on his face whose body language spoke of a determination to finish this leg on his bike, even if it killed him … which was likely.

View from our van as we approached the higher elevations of the Icefields Parkway on our way to Jasper, AB. The verge of the road (where we would be cycling) is covered with snow.

Luckily for us, the snow changed to rain as we descended to Jasper and eventually stopped as we pulled into the town. It was 5°C (41°F) … on August 21st. I had left Boston the day before under sunny, humid conditions of 32°C (90°F)!

Getting ready for the first leg in the Jasper train station parking lot.

New snow on the mountains, 10 km from Jasper.

We rode about 30 km down the Parkway before our first stop at Athabasca Falls where we got our first glimpse of Ben’s treats available at our rest stops: cashews and dried mangos were my favorites. Athabasca Falls is a class 5 waterfall, with a drop of 80 ft (24 m) and a width of 60 ft (18 m). It is pretty impressive:

Athabasca Falls.

About 10 km from the Falls, the Athabasca river heads south. Before we parted company, we took a group shot with the river and mountains as background.

Group shot with Athabasca River and Mt. Belanger, Brussels Peak and Catacombs Mountain in the background.
From left: Katherine, Brent, Jamie, me (kneeling), Liam, John, Gerry, Myles, Kaileigh, Sean, and Ellaine.

Liam pulling into Sunwapta Falls Lodge for the night. His distance covered is obvious on the right.

Day 1 Map, Jasper to Sunwapta Falls Lodge, 54 km (34 miles).

Day 1 Elevation Change.

Day 2

Overnight, the weather cleared and we woke to ice covering our bike seats. Brilliant sunshine did little to warm us but did offer spectacular views.

Day 2 was to be our longest day on the bike covering 100 km of terrain, which included a sharp incline of average 8.5% grade to the Columbia Icefield which Ben gleefully called the “Big Bump”; and a harrowing long decent of about the same grade over about 3.5 km where one can reach 80 kph (50 mph), if you have the nerve and lay off your brakes! I like to think of this stretch as the “Deadly Drop.” In between the two is the Columbia Icefield, which is magnificent.

View from the top of the Big Bump. Mt K2 in the foreground, Mt Kitchener behind.

Jamie and me cycling up to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center where we had lunch. Massive hanging glacier is evident in the background.

Lunch stop at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center.

Liam out exploring after lunch.

Once on our bikes again after lunch, we faced a slight incline over a few km before we came to the Deadly Drop. Cycling on the verge of the Parkway at this point is difficult as the asphalt is split periodically every 10 feet or so due to the extremes of temperature. The constant striking of our front wheels on the split pavement is jarring over time at normal speed, but at the speed one can attain on the Deadly Drop, the split pavement is a hazard that can lead to a serious crash. The only real solution for attaining downhill speed is to drive your bike on the actual highway, where road crews spend their time fixing the problem. It is best not to do this half-hearted and creep slightly onto the highway, but to assume the road completely so vehicles will not be tempted to pass you with on-coming traffic in evidence! So I found myself plunging down the Deadly Drop, centered on the downhill lane of the highway, as my speed crept up, and up and up. My hands were blocks of wood where circulation had already been driven out by the cold and the death-like grasp I assumed on the handlebars. I had no speedometer, but no vehicles attempted to pass me! The Deadly Drop ends in a distinctive loop in the highway as evident in the blow up of Google Maps below and the death-like grip on the handle bars can be released.

The Deadly Drop: ~3.5 km long and averaging about a 10% grade.

We reconvened as a group just past the loop for a great team photo.

Taking a breather after the Deadly Drop.

Sean and Kaileigh motoring down the remaining 30 km of relatively flat topography to Saskatchewan Crossing.

At the end of the day, most riders were a bit short of 100 km total ride for the day, so they did three circumferences of the hotel parking lot to make up the difference!

Sunset on Mt Murchison at Saskatchewan River Crossing.

Our digs at Saskatchewan River Crossing early the next morning in crisp mountain air.

Day 2 Map, Sunwapta Falls Lodge to Saskatchewan River Crossing, 99 km (63 miles).

Day 2 Elevation Change.

Day 3

This day marked our leaving Jasper National Park and entry into Banff National Park. We started the day with an easy decline to the Saskatchewan River Crossing, then an uphill climb of about 4 km past Mt Murchison, which was the site of a wildfire the previous year requiring evacuation of the hotel staff.

Katherine finishing the initial ascent. Me, Jamie and Liam bringing up the rear a ways back.

Jamie taking off after the first pit stop of the day at Waterfowl Lakes. Howse Peak behind.

The morning ride was a continual gain in elevation on our way to a long 7 km ascent of about 4.5% average grade to the highest point of the Icefields Parkway. Ben had warned us at the first pit stop that this long ascent was capped by a “Kicker” (or “Kicka” in his Australian twang) of increased grade just before topping out.

Gerry on the Kicka: note his cycling sandals!

John on the Kicka

As we each topped out over the Kicka, Ben directed us to a “bonus round” consisting of a further short climb of about 100 m or so to a viewpoint of Peyto Lake.

View of Peyto Lake from atop the “Bonus Round”. Mt Breaker in the background.

During the early going, the air was as remarkably clear as the day before, but as the day wore on, wildfire smoke from BC started to encroach and limit views. One can see this encroachment to the right in the picture of Peyto Lake above. Our way from the Bonus Round was all downhill to the headwaters of the Bow River at Bow Lake, where we had our lunch.

Both Jamie and Liam took the opportunity for a bit of a nap at Bow Lake.

Panorama view of Bow Lake.

The day ended with about 30 km of rolling terrain. Ben described the small hills we had to climb as “Whoopsies.” Just north of our destination in Lake Louise, we said goodbye to the Icefields Parkway where it joined the Trans-Canada highway. In just a few km, we were at our hotel. What with the Kicka, the Bonus Round and the Whoopsies, my boys were glad to get into the hot tub asap.

Day 3 Map, Saskatchewan River Crossing to Lake Louise, 79 km, (49 miles).

Day 3 Elevation Change.

Day 4

Our route on the last day of our tour was along the Bow Valley Parkway all the way to Banff where we would meet my boys’ great uncle Bill, who at 80 yrs old would join our group for the remainder of the ride to Canmore on the Legacy Trail. The smoke and particulates from the distant wildfires were worse and essentially choked out the mountain views on this last day.

Castle Mountain through the smoke at our 1st pit stop of the day on Bow Valley Parkway.

Great uncle Bill leading the way on the Legacy Trail into Canmore and the end of the tour.

Day 4 Map, Lake Louise to Canmore, 85 km, 953 miles).

Day 4 Elevation Change.

Final lunch with the tour group at the Grizzly Paw Brew Pub in Canmore.

In the final tallying of elevation change, we climbed 2.6 km and descended 2.3 km, vertically.

This article was written by Peter Banks. The photos are courtesy of Peter Banks and Mountain Madness Tours / Ben Johnson.