Page 12 - PGA Community News - August '20

Page 12, PGA C.A.N.! August 2020 August 2020

Canadian Rockies: Splendor Beyond Belief

By Don Kiselewski, MCC,
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens
Travel Leaders
I’m often asked what I
believe is the most beautiful
spot on the North American
continent … my consistent
reply has always been the
Canadian Rockies. The
Canadian portion of the
Rocky Mountain range
is, arguably, the most
spectacular. The Rockies themselves actually stretch
down to the Sangre de Cristo Range in north-central New
Mexico … considered the southern boundary, northwest to
the Yukon Territory’s Arctic Rockies. In all, the Rockies
form a nearly continuous range on the western edge of the
North American continent that is more than 3,000 miles
long. Ranging from 70 to more than 300 miles in width,
the Rockies cover more than 300,000 square miles. Only
the Andes Mountains of South America are longer.
Many of the major rivers of North America originate
in the Rockies, and the peaks and ridges of the Rockies
divide the continent. The waters in the rivers of the
Missouri, Yellowstone, Platte and Arkansas find their
way eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. The Pacific receives Banff Springs Hotel
the westward flow from the Snake, Colorado, Columbia,
Frazer and Yukon rivers. Towering above the surrounding pine trees is one such An event that will indelibly mark the memory of
Geographically, the Rockies are divided into four structure … the Banff Springs Hotel. With granite spires visitors to the Canadian Rockies is arising at daybreak
sections … Southern, Middle, Northern and Arctic ranges. and more than 600 rooms, it was built in 1888 with the to watch the sunrise spread ever-changing colors across
The Southern portion starts in New Mexico and continues original purpose of serving the needs of the visitors to the the landscape of beautiful Lake Louise. The lake was
northwesterly into Wyoming. Included in this range is nearby hot springs. The upper floors were divided into discovered by a railroad worker in 1882 and named in
Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the Rockies, which smaller quarters for the servants who personally attended honor of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Louise.
reaches 14,433 feet. This is but one of the fifty-five peaks in the needs of the visitors. Built in a Scottish baronial-style Over a mile high, the lake is ¾ miles wide and 1½ miles
Colorado that soar above 14,000 feet including Long Peak castle, the hotel comes with kilted pipers and even a long. Its 220-foot depth is maintained by the runoff of
and Pikes Peak, two of the most well-known mountains ninth-floor ghost. Location also contributed to the success the Victoria Glacier. This passive atmosphere lends well
in America. The Middle Rockies cover a major portion of of the hotel. The Spray River joins the turbulent waters to a gentle canoe ride in the still waters of the lake, or a
Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Most dramatic in this of the Bow River that have just passed over Bow Falls, leisurely stroll along the water’s edge.
portion of the Rockies is the majestic Teton Range. where they turn and continue through the valley created Extending north from Lake Louise is the Icefields
The phrase “you ain’t seen anything yet” could never between Tunnel Mountain and Mt. Rundel. It is perhaps
be truer than when you continue north from Montana one of the most fantastic views of nature on Earth. Canadian Rockies on page 13
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.

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