Page 14 - Jupiter West - August '20

Page 14, Jupiter West
Canadian Rockies: Splendor Beyond Belief

By Don Kiselewski, MCC, passing the Athabasca Glacier. It is one of dozens that flow
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens from the Columbia Icefield. Specially built motorized vehicles
Travel Leaders transport visitors onto the glacier for a truly unique experience.
I’m often asked what I Running along the mountain ridges of the Front/Rocky
believe is the most beautiful Mountain Range is the Continental Divide. In addition to
spot on the North American dividing the water flow that falls onto the North American
continent … my consistent continent between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the
reply has always been the ridgeline also serves as the separation of Alberta (east side)
Canadian Rockies. The and British Columbia (west side). At the western base of the
Canadian portion of the Front Range lies the Rocky Mountain Trench, and west of the
Rocky Mountain range trench lies the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. Because
is, arguably, the most helicopter landings are not allowed in the national parks, these
spectacular. The Rockies themselves actually stretch down two ranges are popular for both heli-hiking and heli-skiing.
to the Sangre de Cristo Range in north-central New Mexico Secluded mountain lodges have been established to provide
… considered the southern boundary, northwest to the Yukon unique hiking, skiing and mountaineering experiences, using
Territory’s Arctic Rockies. In all, the Rockies form a nearly helicopters to transport visitors from the valleys to the top of
continuous range on the western edge of the North American the mountains for these venues.
continent that is more than 3,000 miles long. Ranging from Moraine Lake
70 to more than 300 miles in width, the Rockies cover more
than 300,000 square miles. Only the Andes Mountains of South kilted pipers and even a ninth-floor ghost. Location also
America are longer. contributed to the success of the hotel. The Spray River joins
Many of the major rivers of North America originate in the turbulent waters of the Bow River that have just passed
the Rockies, and the peaks and ridges of the Rockies divide over Bow Falls, where they turn and continue through the
the continent. The waters in the rivers of the Missouri, valley created between Tunnel Mountain and Mt. Rundel. It
Yellowstone, Platte and Arkansas find their way eastward to is perhaps one of the most fantastic views of nature on Earth.
the Atlantic Ocean. The Pacific receives the westward flow An event that will indelibly mark the memory of visitors
from the Snake, Colorado, Columbia, Frazer and Yukon rivers. to the Canadian Rockies is arising at daybreak to watch the Lake Louise
Geographically, the Rockies are divided into four sections sunrise spread ever-changing colors across the landscape of
… Southern, Middle, Northern and Arctic ranges. The Southern beautiful Lake Louise. The lake was discovered by a railroad Like Mecca, the Canadian Rockies are a place that everyone
portion starts in New Mexico and continues northwesterly into worker in 1882 and named in honor of Queen Victoria’s should visit at least once in their lifetime. They may not be
Wyoming. Included in this range is Mount Elbert, the highest daughter, Princess Louise. Over a mile high, the lake is ¾ miles the highest in the world, contain the most animals or fish, or
peak in the Rockies, which reaches 14,433 feet. This is but one wide and 1½ miles long. Its 220-foot depth is maintained by have the best skiing or rafting; however, in my opinion they
of the fifty-five peaks in Colorado that soar above 14,000 feet the runoff of the Victoria Glacier. This passive atmosphere are by far the most spectacular.
including Long Peak and Pikes Peak, two of the most well- lends well to a gentle canoe ride in the still waters of the lake, Don Kiselewski writes from his personal experiences,
known mountains in America. The Middle Rockies cover a major or a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge. having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans, seas
portion of Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Most dramatic Extending north from Lake Louise is the Icefields Parkway, and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel Leaders,
in this portion of the Rockies is the majestic Teton Range. one of the world’s greatest mountain-viewing drives. Along the his family owned and operated agency, is located at Mirasol
way, a stop at Peyto Lake, set in the Mistaya River Valley, will Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road, Building A, Suite 102-6,
truly tempt your imagination. The lake is filled with glacier Palm Beach Gardens. The agency has been serving the travel
silt particles that remain suspended in the water. This effect needs of the South Florida area for over a quarter of a century.
causes light to reflect off the water with an unnatural color of Contact him at (561) 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
green, making the lake look unreal. The parkway continues
in the valley of the Mistaya (Cree Indian for “grizzly bear”) Photos by Don Kiselewski

Banff Springs Hotel

The phrase “you ain’t seen anything yet” could never be
truer than when you continue north from Montana into Canada
for the next 1,000 miles. It is here where the Front Range – or
Canadian Rockies – have taken form and stand alone in their
magnificent splendor. West of the Front Range lies the Rocky
Mountain Trench, which extends some 900 miles northwest
to the headwaters of the Yukon River. Bordering the trench
on the west are the Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges.
About 130 miles north of the U.S./Canada border, on the
eastern side of the Canadian Rockies is an important stop on
the Canadian Pacific Railroad. It started out as just another
whistle stop on the Trans-Canada rail route, however, today, it
is the nucleus of the “Jewel of the Rockies” – Banff National
Park. Founded over a century ago, it is the third oldest national
park in the world. It was established as a national park to
preserve the hot springs that are just outside of the present
day town of Banff. These springs were first noted during the
construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 1880s.
When the railroad was built, there weren’t any hotel chains
plopping down dozens of lodgings for the travelers. The railroad
found itself in the hotel-building business along with tracks
and trestles, and as a result built some of the most outstanding
structures in Canada. These hotels remain today as landmarks.
Towering above the surrounding pine trees is one such
structure … the Banff Springs Hotel. With granite spires and
more than 600 rooms, it was built in 1888 with the original
purpose of serving the needs of the visitors to the nearby hot
springs. The upper floors were divided into smaller quarters for
the servants who personally attended the needs of the visitors.
Built in a Scottish baronial-style castle, the hotel comes with
Licensed and Insured

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