free guided hikes in banff/jasper/lake louise?
Jul 10th, 2005, 04:36 AM
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free guided hikes in banff/jasper/lake louise?
In US parks, my family loves the free "ranger" led hikes in the national parks to learn about history, geology, flora and fauna, etc. Are similar things available in Canadian Parks? I can't seem to find anything other than guided hikes that cost money on a per person basis, and with a family of four, that gets pricey real fast. Any help is appreciated.
scottyp
scottyp
Jul 10th, 2005, 07:17 AM
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Hello scottyP,
I attempted to call Banff National Park's information line at 403-762-1550. A woman answered the phone, and I told her that I would like information on ranger-led hikes in Banff National Park. She told me that, for that question, she would need to put me through to the Backcountry Line, which she did. The phone rang a few times. Then a man's pre-recorded voice said that I had reached the Trails Desk, and I should leave a message describing the nature of my question, and they would attempt to get back to me later during the same day.
Unfortunately it was not convenient for me to do that, as I am going to be out and about today and, indeed, for most of the next couple of weeks. We have overseas family arriving later today, and we have a busy program lined up.
Unfortunately there is no toll free number, that I know of, for Banff National Park. You could call the above mentioned number yourself or, if you are reluctant to do that, you could make an enquiry via an e-mail to:
[email protected]
By the way, the above mentioned phone number is staffed from 8 am to 8 pm Mountain Daylight Time, 7 days a week during the summer.
Another thing you may be interested to know is that, when you enter the Banff Park Gates, you can tune your car radio to the Park Radio Station at 101.1 FM. Weather and trail reports are repeated throughout the day, as are programs on Banff's natural and cultural history.
Hope that helps.
I attempted to call Banff National Park's information line at 403-762-1550. A woman answered the phone, and I told her that I would like information on ranger-led hikes in Banff National Park. She told me that, for that question, she would need to put me through to the Backcountry Line, which she did. The phone rang a few times. Then a man's pre-recorded voice said that I had reached the Trails Desk, and I should leave a message describing the nature of my question, and they would attempt to get back to me later during the same day.
Unfortunately it was not convenient for me to do that, as I am going to be out and about today and, indeed, for most of the next couple of weeks. We have overseas family arriving later today, and we have a busy program lined up.
Unfortunately there is no toll free number, that I know of, for Banff National Park. You could call the above mentioned number yourself or, if you are reluctant to do that, you could make an enquiry via an e-mail to:
[email protected]
By the way, the above mentioned phone number is staffed from 8 am to 8 pm Mountain Daylight Time, 7 days a week during the summer.
Another thing you may be interested to know is that, when you enter the Banff Park Gates, you can tune your car radio to the Park Radio Station at 101.1 FM. Weather and trail reports are repeated throughout the day, as are programs on Banff's natural and cultural history.
Hope that helps.
Jul 10th, 2005, 07:24 AM
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Postscript, of course there also are centrally located Tourist Information Offices in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. They are good places to stop in for maps, brochures and the most up to date reports on bear sightings and any other factors that might be relevant to your planned activities.
I am sure the staff at those offices also would be able to tell you about ranger-led hikes.
I myself have never done ranger-led hikes in the Canadian Rockies. We prefer the freedom of deciding where we want to go on the spur of the moment. But then I do hike with a bird identification book and a wildflower identification book in my backpack.
If you want one single book that does the best overall job of describing the flora, fauna, geology, history, etc., of the Canadian Rockies, and that includes maps and hiking information to boot, the best choice probably is Ben Gadd's "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies." I don't know if it's available where you live, but it is available in Banff and Jasper, and perhaps also in the bookstore at Calgary Airport.
If you tune into Park Radio, which I mentioned in the previous post, the author of the above mentioned book, Ben Gadd, is one of the speakers whom you will hear.
I am sure the staff at those offices also would be able to tell you about ranger-led hikes.
I myself have never done ranger-led hikes in the Canadian Rockies. We prefer the freedom of deciding where we want to go on the spur of the moment. But then I do hike with a bird identification book and a wildflower identification book in my backpack.
If you want one single book that does the best overall job of describing the flora, fauna, geology, history, etc., of the Canadian Rockies, and that includes maps and hiking information to boot, the best choice probably is Ben Gadd's "Handbook of the Canadian Rockies." I don't know if it's available where you live, but it is available in Banff and Jasper, and perhaps also in the bookstore at Calgary Airport.
If you tune into Park Radio, which I mentioned in the previous post, the author of the above mentioned book, Ben Gadd, is one of the speakers whom you will hear.
Jul 11th, 2005, 05:15 AM
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Judy just to ask about the Ben Gadd book. I tried looking it up on amazon and chapters, and can only find a 1995 hardcover by that name and author (for $55!). Is there a more recent version that is paperback - and hardcover sounds very heavy? A number of books by Andrew Hempstead also come up - any opinions of them?
Thanks!
nkh
Thanks!
nkh
Jul 11th, 2005, 07:27 PM
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What a wake up call. I hadn't realised how out of date the Ben Gadd book was. Time flies. In searching for it now, I see that the most recent printing was 1999, and it takes 4 - 6 weeks from Amazon.
Although I <b>know</b> that in this case there definitely are more recent editions, I also still use the 1978 edition of "Canadian Rockies Trail Guide" by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson. The mountains are very similar now to the way they were in 1978.
Andrew Hempstead's books (Moon Handbook series) are excellent.
I've heard good things about, but have never seen, "Canadian Rockies Access Guide" by John Dodd and Gail Helgason.
Another book about which I've heard good things is "Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies" by Kathy and Craig Copeland. The authors offer their opinions about which hikes are more worthwhile and which are less worthwhile. Several experienced hikers whom I know in real life have told me they agree with the opinions in this book.
I also like Graeme Pole's books, be they his general guidebooks on the Rockies or his hiking guides.
Hope that helps.
Although I <b>know</b> that in this case there definitely are more recent editions, I also still use the 1978 edition of "Canadian Rockies Trail Guide" by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson. The mountains are very similar now to the way they were in 1978.
Andrew Hempstead's books (Moon Handbook series) are excellent.
I've heard good things about, but have never seen, "Canadian Rockies Access Guide" by John Dodd and Gail Helgason.
Another book about which I've heard good things is "Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies" by Kathy and Craig Copeland. The authors offer their opinions about which hikes are more worthwhile and which are less worthwhile. Several experienced hikers whom I know in real life have told me they agree with the opinions in this book.
I also like Graeme Pole's books, be they his general guidebooks on the Rockies or his hiking guides.
Hope that helps.
Jul 14th, 2005, 07:00 AM
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Thanks Judy
I have ordered the Andrew Hempstead Alberta including parks book (not the just parks one since it was 5-7 week delivery!) and when I went to our local big bookstore they had the Access Guide - while obviously I dont know how good it actually is since we havent been yet, it has lots of pictures, maps and seems easy to read and sensibly organized..... one more thing to add to a trip report when we return, reviews of the books!
I have ordered the Andrew Hempstead Alberta including parks book (not the just parks one since it was 5-7 week delivery!) and when I went to our local big bookstore they had the Access Guide - while obviously I dont know how good it actually is since we havent been yet, it has lots of pictures, maps and seems easy to read and sensibly organized..... one more thing to add to a trip report when we return, reviews of the books!
May 11th, 2010, 09:29 PM
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Parks Canada does not have "rangers", they have "wardens". Wardens do not lead hikes; their function is more about enforcement of park regulations. Sometimes park interpretive staff do hikes or give talks. In Jasper NP, there is an outdoor amphitheatre at Whistler's Campground, and talks are given there on a weekly basis (I think). I would suggest trying the "contact us" links on the individual parks' websites (if you can't find any info on the website itself about interpretive activities - go to www.pc.gc.ca and choose whichever park you want. The other place to check is the "Friends of" association for each park. The Friends of Jasper NP are at www.friendsofjasper.com . They do a nightly historical walking tour, and have special event hikes from time to time.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
May 29th, 2010, 11:30 AM
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Hi Scotty,
We have been in the Canadian Rockies and we bought a very nice hiking book "the best day hikes in the canadian Rockies, written by Tim Jensen. We enjoyed the fabulous hikes a lot, and if you follow the explanations of the hike description with the hiking map, I assure you, you do not need to pay for tourguides etc.
We have been in the Canadian Rockies and we bought a very nice hiking book "the best day hikes in the canadian Rockies, written by Tim Jensen. We enjoyed the fabulous hikes a lot, and if you follow the explanations of the hike description with the hiking map, I assure you, you do not need to pay for tourguides etc.
May 29th, 2010, 01:24 PM
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pol, I am so sorry. I did not see your question to me until this minute. We have found the ranger led hikes by checking in at the Parks Canada office as soon as we arrive in an area. We have had some marvelous opportunities for wildlife viewing and great outdoor experiences with the rangers. Highly recommended!
