The Rockies are worth seeing again
Five days in the Rockies are just not enough. It’s a taste of what we’ve done before and a tantalizing glimpse of the activities we would still like to do.
The Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen squeezed in our second tour of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alta., with a ride in the Banff Gondola and a relaxing afternoon at Banff Hot Springs Spa during a family visit.
Highlights included the interpretive trail at the dinosaur museum and a boardwalk at the top of the gondola, completely different in their perspectives and in their weather conditions.
The Badlands Interpretive Trail, a loop of 1.3 kilometres, is perfect for families with numerous signs along the way recounting the glacial forces that sculpted the badlands.
Each layer of rock in the hills surrounding the trail represents a geological story from the past.
Sand deposited in large rivers is preserved as whitish sandstone. Deposited by floodwaters, silt and mud now appear as grey to brown siltstone and mudstones.
Plant materials that accumulated in ancient swamps decayed and were compressed to eventually form visible bands of coal.
Chemical reactions in the buried sediments formed the hard reddishbrown to purple-black ironstones.
Along the way, you can see a couple of hoodoos and petrified wood.
Although overnight temperatures in Canmore dropped as low as 3 C, the Drumheller trail was hot in the afternoon.
By comparison, Banff had hit-andmiss rain showers, sunshine and high winds at the top of Sulphur Mountain.
The glass-enclosed gondola car on the eastern slope, open year-round, holds four people and offers 360-degree incredible views during an eight-minute, 698-metre ride up to the top station at an elevation of 2,281 metres above sea level.
The boardwalk takes you up (or down) to Sanson's Peak, named in 1948 for Norman Bethune Sanson who climbed the mountain more than 1,000 times over 30 years to monitor the weather observatory recording equipment there.
The upper terminal, located on a summit ridge, has two restaurants, a gift shop and multiple observation decks which provide views both westward up and eastward down the Bow Valley.
There appears to be some disagreement about the respective heights. One source — banffjaspercollection.com — says Sanson's Peak is approximately 10 metres higher than the top station while Wikipedia says the elevation of Sanson's Peak is 2,256 metres or 7,402 feet making it lower.
Mountain goats wandered around the base of the top station, thrilling visitors who came from around the world. It was fascinating to listen to all of the different languages and accents.
It was also pleasing to return to the Okanagan Valley with its mild overnight temperatures and daytime highs that didn’t require a windbreaker or warm coat.
***** Friends of the South Slopes has taken the unusual step of focusing its latest newsletter on the safe use of trails on the South Slopes.
“Trail safety is one of our top priorities — and all trail users bear that responsibility. Courtesy and common sense must always come first,” it says.
“There have been a few very frightening and/or disturbing incidences reported in the last month. We would like to clarify and remind you of certain protocols and courtesies.
“As parks on the South Slopes, especially the Myra-BellevueCrawford area, become better known and busier, it may be that BC Parks will need to consider stricter guidelines when issuing permits for events held in local provincial parks,” it says.
“In the meantime, while FOSS discusses our concerns with BC Parks, we ask you to please abide by the following. First: organizers/users scheduling an event, such as cycling or running races, must contact BC Parks at: env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/permits/ for a Parks’ Use Permit. When you are issued a permit, please abide by the conditions and requirements, and post/distribute that information.
“As a courtesy, FOSS (info@fosskelowna.org) will help communicate the details of your event on the web (FOSS events calendar) and/or Facebook. Please let us know exactly what, when and the route well in advance of the event. This is, primarily, an important safety concern, but it is also a common courtesy.
“For example, park users, if they are aware of a scheduled event, will be able to avoid certain areas during the day of the competition, should they so choose.
“A recent occurrence during a cycling race could have led to serious injuries. Horseback riders were forced off the trail by racers coming at high speeds, and jumping obstacles. Horses are very frightened by speed — and especially airborne speed! They don’t always hear what’s coming until right in front of them as a cyclist appears — at speed. This is a dangerous situation for both parties. The same can be said for families and other park users during similar events.
"”Please be aware and please be considerate. FOSS trusts that organizers will use appropriate flagging and signage (i.e.: Race In Progress at all junctions, etc.) to ensure that other park users are well aware of the event and the trails involved. It is understood that organizers will immediately remove all flagging/notices/garbage at the conclusion of the event.
“Secondly: to the event participants. The trails in Myra Bellevue and Okanagan Mountain provincial parks are for all users: cyclists, hikers, equestrians, dogwalkers, etc. — at all times, even when there is an event taking place. Trail runners do not have the right to ban or obstruct cyclists/other users from the trails during a race as was reported recently.
“No one wants to hinder your efforts in the race, but without proper notification of dates, times and routes, there is a good possibility that you may have to ‘hold up’ during the competition to accommodate other unsuspecting park users.
“We have to always keep in mind that we share these trails.”
***** Today is the official start to National Fishing Week in Canada.
And the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) want to remind anglers that wearing a lifejacket is even more important than wearing your lucky fishing hat.
According to the two organizations, 80 per cent of recreational boaters who drown each year in Canada were not wearing a lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD).
Most of these drownings occur in small, open power boats, accounting for 60 per cent of these preventable deaths. A majority of these victims were males between the ages of 19 and 35 who were out for a day of fishing.
Many of those who don’t wear lifejackets or PFDs believe that since they are good swimmers, having them onboard and within easy reach is good enough. But a lifejacket stored under a seat or up in the bow will be of no help when the unexpected happens, like falling overboard while trying to net the catch.
“National surveys clearly show that more than half the recreational boats sold in Canada are used for fishing on a regular basis,” said John Gullick, council chair.
“During National Fishing Week, the Canadian Safe Boating Council would like to remind all anglers not only to have their lifejacket onboard their boat, but to look after it and wear it.
“If you happen to fall overboard, it will give you the time you need to calm down, catch your breath, assess your situation and effect, or help effect, a rescue.
“In two out of three drownings related to boating, the victims were less than 15 metres from some form of safety.î
On a personal note, the Sheriff got that “I can swim” response from other kayakers not wearing a PFD when recently kayaking at Fintry Provincial Park.
By coincidence, Kelowna Canoe and Kayak Club members at the park talked about falling out of their kayaks when there is even a light breeze.
They were wearing a PFD so they didn’t have to struggle to get it on. (Try it sometime in the water; it’s almost impossible for many.)
The wind caught their kayak, now lighter and sitting higher in the water. Even swimming as fast as possible, they couldn’t catch it. Imagine being in the middle of Okanagan Lake and having to swim to shore in its frigid water.
Many of today’s anglers are delighted with the lifejackets or PFD models designed especially to suit their needs. They’re rugged, allow for full freedom of movement to cast and are constructed with lots of pockets for gear. Some even come equipped with an attachment from which to hang a landing net, said Gullick.
When choosing a lifejacket, anglers make sure it is Transport Canada approved, is the correct size and fits snugly.
“BCWF encourages everyone to keep safety in mind this summer and wear a lifejacket when you are out enjoying the limitless fishing opportunities that our beautiful province provides. There are many comfortable and functional options available, including models designed especially for anglers,” said BCWF president Harvey Andrusak.
***** Back to the Rockies. Last weekend, Glacier National Park hosted 45 new Canadians, including individuals and families from Kelowna, for a Learn-to-Camp event at Loop Brook Campground.
“The Parks Canada program is a chance for first-time campers to try camping, and learn how to plan and enjoy safe and successful camping trips on their own,” said Shelley Bird, Parks Canada’s public relations and communications officer for Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.
“Families learn basic camping skills including how to set up a tent and light a campfire. They also have the opportunity to discover the outdoors through activities such as hiking, photography and games. Camping gear is provided; all that is needed is a sleeping bag,” she said.
Parks Canada partners with Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) to present innovative programs and activities to inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks are partnering with Kamloops Immigrant Services, Kelowna Community Resources and Okanagan College in Salmon Arm to organize the Learn-to-Camp program in Glacier National Park this year.
“Developing new and innovative programs and services like Learnto-Camp enables more Canadians to experience the outdoors and learn more about our environment and heritage,” said Bird.
J.P. Squire, aka the Hiking, Biking, Kayaking and Horseback Riding Sheriff, is a retired Okanagan Weekend reporter. Email: jp.squire@telus.net.