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The Introduction covers: • A brief overview of the Rocky Mountain national parks • Weather and climate, including a chart, for each of the parks • A brief overview of Topographic, Canadian Government, and Gem Trek Maps • Hazards and nuisances like bears, elk, cougars, wolverine, mosquitoes, horseflies, wood ticks, Giardia, and stream crossings. • A recommendation to stop by parks visitors centers • Camping, national park passes, provincial parks camping fees and permits • Voluntary safety registration Trail Descriptions The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide’s essential virtue is its precise, detailed trail descriptions. It claims to be comprehensive, including all trails of significance within the Canadian Rockies mountain parks. Trails are presented in groups according to region with an accompanying map that shows all the trails being described. Trail summaries include distance, time, elevation gains, and map references. The authors pushed trail wheels over the most trails to provide accurate distances. A distance outline lists the distance in kilometers between the trail head and notable landmarks. Each trail heading is accompanied by a text description that gives commentary about the trail as if you were walking along with the author and he was describing the scene and giving directions. The Bible The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide is also known in hiking circles as “the bible.” Not only has it been accepted as the definitive word on hiking trails in the mountain parks, but it also has a list of commandments, like the Old Testament. Rather than 10, it has 11. The condensed version: • Plan ahead • Stay on the trail • Leave natural stuff alone • Never feed animals • Pack out all garbage • Dig a small hole during toilet duty • Put dogs on a leash • Use a gas stove • Keep cleaning agents out of water source • Be considerate at your campsite • Bikers should not scare horses or hikers This comprehensive trail guide covers more than 3,400 kilometres of trails in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton Lakes National Parks, plus the provincial parks of Mt. Assinboine, Mt. Robson, Akamina-Kishinena, Peter Lougheed, and Elk Lakes. More than 230 major trails are included, with the emphasis on major dayhikes and backpacking trips. Trail distances, elevation gains and junction mileages are given with well-written descriptions. This is the 7th edition of this popular trail guide which has been around for almost 30 years. It's the locals' bible.
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