The Canadian Rockies, 2002

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The Canadian Rocky Mountains are superbly beautiful, some of the prettiest scenery that we've seen. Part of what makes them so pretty is the white glacial snow on top and the turquoise lakes the snow melt makes. However, we were sad to see that the glaciers are receding from four years ago when we were there. I suppose this is a result of global warming.

Camped
In Several Parks

Badlands National Park
South Dakota

Shell Canyon
Wyoming

We left home August 20 in our trusty van, camping most of the way and sightseeing along the way. We had planned to get Canadian money at a bank near the border but since it was Saturday and the banks wouldn't be open until Monday, we decided to spend a couple of days in Glaciar National Park. This turned out to be a bonus because our United States Glacier Park is also an impressive place. We drove over the mountains on the Going to the Sun Highway and enjoyed it very much.

Glacier National Park
Montana

Lake Mary
and Goat Island

Beautiful flowers
Logan Pass

On Monday, August 26 we entered Canada, went to Waterton Peace Park, exchanged our money for Canadian getting $241.20 for our $160 and watched a big-horn sheep run down the middle of the road. We then drove Hwy. 541 to Hwy. 40 which was a beautiful 80 mile drive north through huge granite mountains to the Trans-Canada Highway #1. Canada 1 takes you through Banff National Park to Lake Louise, with fantastic scenery on both sides of the road.

A beautiful drive

Lake Louise

Valley of 10 peaks

Moraine Lake
In Valley of Ten Peaks

Herbert Lake
Early Morning

My 76th Birthday
With a candle and song

We drove the Icefield Parkway to Jasper, stopping at the Athabascan Glacier and hiking to it's base. It was a steep climb but interesting because along the way there were signs showing how far down the glacier was in different years. A little over 100 years ago it came almost to the road and has receded quite a bit in the last four years.

Bow Summit
A tough climb

Athabasca Glacier
Notice Glacier Edge in 1992

Some walked on the glacier
Warning signs of danger

From Jasper we delighted in the drive back through the gorgeous scenery to Lake Louise where we again got on Canada 1, this time going west to Glacier Park in British Columbia. Not only is the scenery beautiful there but the park is also steeped in history because of the development of Canada's first trans-continental transportation route over Rogers Pass.

The Canadian Pacific Railway Company was determined to cross these mountains for a trans-continental railway and in 1882 a pass that seemed feasible was found by an engineer named Rogers. By 1885 the railway was built and in operation over "Rogers Pass". It was a huge success. A popular 90 room hotel, The Glacier House, was built at the summit and Swiss mountain guides were hired to take adventurers, mountaineers, and sightseers on hikes to the glaciers. However, avalanches were a constant problem with several deaths. Snowsheds were built but even they were destroyed by avalanches. Finally in 1916 The Connaught Railroad Tunnel through the mountains was opened and the old line was abandoned. We had fun exploring the remains of the old railway and hotel. The hotel was in operation from 1887 to 1925

Finally in 1962 the Trans-Canada Highway was opened over Rogers Pass about where the original railroad had been, making this beautiful area accessible to motorists. Canada's Glacier Park is in the Columbia Mountains with a moist climate and lush vegetation. We were especially impressed with the big trees and big ferns.

Rogers Pass
Original RR Site

Big Ferns

Big Trees
Giant Cedars Boardwalk

At Rocky Mountain Park

On the way home we spent a couple of days with Kay and Lyle in Rocky Mountain Park in Colorado. It was a great vacation.