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Trekking the Canadian Rockies | |
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Canada |
Aug. 9-18, 2008 |
INCLUDES
PRICE
| Come with us to a land of crisp air, high peaks, clear flowing streams, beautiful waterfalls and wonderful trails. This is hiking the high points of western Canada. After arrival in Calgary, we’ll have a brief city tour, and then we’re on our way to Kananaskis Village in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies. The next day our hiking begins. Our guides are well versed in local history, flora and fauna, and they will share their knowledge during our hiking along forest trails lush with wildflowers; you could also see a waterfall and valleys below, depending on the itinerary chosen by the guides. Then we head west along the Trans Canada Highway, entering Banff, Canada’s first national park. We’ll stop for a short walk at Lake Louise, before continuing on to Yoho National Park. In the Cree language, Yoho means “magnificent” and you’ll soon see why. After a stop at the Natural Bridge, you can hike the Emerald Lake circuit or the more challenging trek to Yoho Lake. That evening we arrive at the Heather Mountain Lodge, nestled between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges and our base for heli-hiking. Heli-hiking is the unforgettable activity on the agenda for day four. This provides the opportunity for a breathtaking experience hiking the mountaintops, without the effort of climbing the mountain to reach the summit. Our guides will select our itinerary based upon current conditions. The following day we depart for Wells Gray Park where Roland Neave, author of Exploring Wells Gray Park, will be our guide for the next two days. Roland will share with us his immense knowledge and limitless passion for B.C.’s premier wilderness park. In addition to hiking, we’ll enjoy a cruise on Clearwater Lake with splendid views of the Cariboo Mountains. And, we’ll see Helmacken Falls, which at 465 feet is Canada’s fourth highest. Roland will entertain us one evening with a barbeque dinner at his family’s private cabin, Trophies Lodge. Day seven brings an optional day of heli-hiking on the Berg Lake Trail. (There will be an additional cost for this hike.) This trail was voted one of the 10 best hikes in Canada and includes a 15-mile easy hike back to the trailhead featuring spectacular and varied scenery. For those desiring a more leisurely day, explore the town of Jasper or hike the lovely Mount Edith Cavell meadows loop trail that winds into the upper alpine with wonderful views of the Angel Glacier. Next day we travel the Icefields Parkway, one of Canada’s most spectacular drives. We’ll stop at Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls before taking a snocoach tour across the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefields. Our last two nights are in Banff, with a free day to explore Banff and the surrounding area. Our adventure ends with our farewell dinner, where we’ll reminisce about the wonderful adventure we’ve just had. |