A walk in the woods – Canadian Rockies

Walking is good for us — we know that. Over the years, I have enjoyed many amazing walking trips. I am inspired by my sister, Betsy, an intrepid walker who, at close to age 80, still puts in a minimum of 8,000 steps a day and sometimes as many as 20,000. We have explored many amazing places on foot.

One of our best trips was a little closer to home than most trips, the Canadian Rockies. It was a great choice. Known for its spectacular scenery, the mountain range spans approximately 1,000 miles southeast from northern British Columbia.

Much of the trip was driving, but we did enjoy some spectacular climbs — some serious altitude. My usual walks are in my neighborhood or along Amelia Island’s sandy beaches — so pre-trip altitude training was not an option. But I did ramp up. More steps and trading in my shorts and T-shirts for hiking boots, a water bottle, a backpack, and walking sticks.

Big Guy and I joined my sister and some of her hiking friends for a week in the Canadian Rockies. It met our every expectation — a congenial traveling group and warm, friendly Canadians who greeted us everywhere we traveled. Everything you have heard about or seen in photographs is true. The scenery is a 10. The highlight of any trip to the Canadian Rockies is the Icefields Parkway, a 143-mile-long stretch of highway that winds through both Banff and Jasper National Parks. It is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. It connects Lake Louise with Jasper. The water is really that strange candy-box turquoise, and the massive mountains simply challenge the imagination. The drama of the jagged peaks changes with every turn of the wheel, every change in elevation, and every time of day.

Stops along the way included glacier views, waterfalls, and unexpected animal sightings. Animals we were very glad not to encounter were bears. As we gathered at the beginning of our trip, my sister gifted each of us with “bear bells” meant to scare any bears we might encounter. Naturalists are skeptical that the bells make a difference, and recommend talking, clapping, and carrying bear spray. Fortunately, our bells were never tested.

The Canadian Rockies are older than the Alps and Himalayas and offer endless hiking challenges — all with rewarding panoramic views. Our group shared many of the classic recommended hikes in Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. We hiked Cavell Meadows, the Plain of Six Glaciers, Emerald Lake, Maligne Canyon, Wilcox Pass, Lake Moraine, and Lake Louise.

Yes, the Canadian Rockies do take your breath away. For me, literally. My fellow hikers were experienced and, thankfully, patient. I stopped frequently to take in breaths of the freshest therapeutic air and to appreciate the silence of the mountains. The meadows and roadways were dotted with brightly colored wildflowers with wonderful, magical names. Brilliant pearly glaciers spilled down

the verticals of gray, brown, and black of the mountains. As we climbed higher and higher, we knew the reward would be worth every step upward, and it was — breathtaking views. Whether hiking, walking, or taking one of the luxurious train tours, the Canadian Rockies offer the very best in scenic vistas and Canadian hospitality.