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Revelstoke National Park
Revelstoke National Park
Grand in beauty if not in size (only 260 sq km), this national park just northeast of its namesake town is a vision of peaks and valleys – many all-but-untrod.
From the 2223m summit of Mt Revelstoke, the views of the mountains and the Columbia River valley are excellent. To ascend here, take the 26km Meadows in the Sky Parkway, 1.5km east of Revelstoke off the Trans-Canada Hwy. Open after the thaw (usually June to September), this paved road winds through lush cedar forests and alpine meadows and ends at Balsam Lake, within 2km of the peak. From here walk to the top or take the free shuttle, which runs from 10am to 4pm daily.
Easily accessible, Skunk Cabbage Trail, 28km east of Revelstoke on Hwy 1, is a 1.2km boardwalk along the Illecillewaet River. Another 4km east, the Giant Cedars Boardwalk winds a 500m course around a grove of huge old-growth cedars.
There are several good hiking trails from the summit. You can camp only in designated backcountry campsites, and you must have a $10 Wilderness Pass camping permit (in addition to your park pass), which, along with lots of useful information, is available from Parks Canada in Revelstoke or from the Rogers Pass Centre inside Glacier National Park. Admission to both Mt Revelstoke and Glacier national parks (the two are administered jointly) is adult/child $7/3.50 per day.
Banff National Park
Location of Banff National Park |
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| Location | Alberta |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Calgary, AlbertaNearest city: Calgary, Alberta |
| Coordinates |  51°10′00″N 115°33′00″W / 51.1666667°N 115.55°W / 51.1666667; -115.55Coordinates: 51°10′00″N 115°33′00″W / 51.1666667°N 115.55°W / 51.1666667; -115.55 |
| Area | 6,641 km² (2,564 sq mi) |
| Established | 1885 Established: 1885 |
| Visitors | 3,927,557 (in 2004/05) |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| World Heritage Site | 304 |
Banff National Park
Banff National Park (pronounced /ˈbæmf/) is Canada’s oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110-180 kilometres (70-110 mi) west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 sq mi)[1] of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes. The Icefields Parkway extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in the north. Provincial forests and Yoho National Park are neighbours to the west, while Kootenay National Park is located to the south and Kananaskis Country to the southeast. The main commercial centre of the park is the town of Banff, in the Bow River valley.
The Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in Banff’s early years, building the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise, and attracting tourists through extensive advertising. In the early 20th century, roads were built in Banff, at times by war internees, and through Great Depression-era public works projects. Since the 1960s, park accommodations have been open all year, with annual tourism visits to Banff increasing to over 5 million in the 1990s.[2] Millions more pass through the park on the Trans-Canada Highway.[3] As Banff is one of the world’s most visited national parks,[4] the health of its ecosystem has been threatened. In the mid-1990s, Parks Canada responded by initiating a two-year study, which resulted in management recommendations, and new policies that aim to preserve ecological integrity.
History
Throughout its history, Banff National Park has been shaped by tension between conservation and development interests. The park was established in 1885, in response to conflicting claims over who discovered hot springs there, and who had the right to develop the hot springs for commercial interests. Instead, prime minister John A. Macdonald set aside the hot springs as a small, protected reserve, which was later expanded to include Lake Louise and other areas extending north to the Columbia Icefield.
Rocky Mountains Park established
With conflicting claims over discovery of hot springs in Banff, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald decided to set aside a small reserve of 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi) around the hot springs at Cave and Basin as a public park known as the Banff Hot Springs Reserve in 1885. Under the Rocky Mountains Park Act, enacted on 23 June 1887, the park was expanded to 674 square kilometres (260 sq mi)[6] and named Rocky Mountains Park. This was Canada’s first national park, and the second established in North America, after Yellowstone National Park. The Canadian Pacific Railway built the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise to attract tourists and increase the number of rail passengers.
Early on, Banff was popular with wealthy European tourists, who arrived in Canada via trans-Atlantic luxury liner and continued westward on the railroad,[6] as well as upper-class American and English tourists. Some visitors participated in mountaineering activities, often hiring local guides. Tom Wilson, along with Jim and Bill Brewster, was among the first outfitters in Banff. The Alpine Club of Canada, established in 1906 by Arthur Oliver Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, organized climbs and camps in the backcountry.
By 1911, Banff was accessible by automobile from Calgary. Beginning in 1916, the Brewsters offered motorcoach tours of Banff.[8] In 1920, access to Lake Louise by road was available, and the Banff-Windermere Road opened in 1923 to connect Banff with British Columbia.[7]
In 1902, the park was expanded to cover 11,400 square kilometres (4,402 sq mi), encompassing areas around Lake Louise, and the Bow, Red Deer, Kananaskis, and Spray rivers. Bowing to pressure from grazing and logging interests, the size of the park was reduced in 1911 to 4,663 square kilometres (1,800 sq mi), eliminating many foothills areas from the park. Park boundaries changed several more times up until 1930, when the size of Banff was fixed at 6,697 square kilometres (2,586 sq mi), with the passage of the National Parks Act.[6] The Act also renamed the park as Banff National Park, named for the Canadian Pacific Railway station, which in turn was named after the Banffshire region in Scotland.[9] With the construction of a new east gate in 1933, Alberta transferred 0.84 square kilometres (207.5 acres) to the park. This, along with other minor changes in the park boundaries in 1949, set the area of the park at 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 sq mi).[7]
Winter tourism
Winter tourism in Banff began in February 1917, with the first Banff Winter Carnival. The carnival featured a large ice palace, which in 1917 was built by internees. Carnival events included cross-country skiing, ski jumping, curling, snowshoe, and skijoring.[13] In the 1930s, the first downhill ski resort, Sunshine Village, was developed by the Brewsters. Mount Norquay ski area was also developed during the 1930s, with the first chair lift installed there in 1948.[6]
Since 1968, when the Banff Springs Hotel was winterized, Banff has been a year-round destination.[14] In the 1960s, the Trans-Canada Highway was constructed, providing another transportation corridor through the Bow Valley, in addition to the Bow Valley Parkway, making the park more accessible. Also in the 1960s, Calgary International Airport was built.
Canada launched several bids to host the Winter Olympics in Banff, with the first bid for the 1964 Winter Olympics which were eventually awarded to Innsbruck, Austria. Canada narrowly lost a second bid, for the 1968 Winter Olympics, which were awarded to Grenoble, France. Once again, Banff launched a bid to host the 1972 Winter Olympics, with plans to hold the Olympics at Lake Louise. The 1972 bid was most controversial, as environmental lobby groups provided strong opposition to the bid, which had sponsorship from Imperial Oil.[6] Bowing to pressure, Jean Chrétien, then the Minister of Environment, the government department responsible for Parks Canada, withdrew support for the bid, which was eventually lost to Sapporo, Japan. The cross-country ski events were held at the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park at Canmore, Alberta, located just outside the eastern gates of Banff National Park on the Trans-Canada Highway, when nearby Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Since the original Rocky Mountains Park Act, subsequent acts and policies placed greater emphasis on conservation. With public sentiment tending towards environmentalism, Parks Canada issued major new policy in 1979, which emphasized conservation. The National Parks Act was amended in 1988, which made preserving ecological integrity the first priority in all park management decisions. The act also required each park to produce a management plan, with greater public participation.[6]
In 1984, Banff was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the other national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, for the mountain landscapes containing mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons and limestone caves as well as fossils found here. With this designation came added obligations for conservation.[15]
During the 1980s, Parks Canada moved to privatize many park services such as golf courses, and added user fees for use of other facilities and services to help deal with budget cuts. In 1990, the Town of Banff was incorporated, giving local residents more say regarding any proposed developments.[16]
In the 1990s, development plans for the park, including expansion at Sunshine Village, were under fire with lawsuits filed by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). In the mid-1990s, the Banff-Bow Valley Study was initiated to find ways to better address environmental concerns, and issues relating to development in the park.
Geography
Banff National Park is located on Alberta’s western border with British Columbia. Banff is about an hour and half driving distance from Calgary, and four hours from Edmonton. Jasper National Park is located to the north, while Yoho National Park is to the west, and Kootenay National Park is to the south. Kananaskis Country, which includes Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park, Spray Valley Provincial Park, and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, is located to the south and east of Banff.
The Trans-Canada Highway passes through Banff National Park, from eastern boundary near Canmore, through the towns of Banff and Lake Louise, and into Yoho National Park in British Columbia. The Banff townsite is the main commercial centre in the national park. The village of Lake Louise is located at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Icefields Parkway, which extends north to the Jasper townsite.
Town of Banff
The Town of Banff, established in 1883, is the main commercial centre in Banff National Park, as well as a centre for cultural activities. Banff is home to several cultural institutions, including the Banff Centre, the Whyte Museum, the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum, Cave and Basin National Historic Site, and several art galleries. Throughout its history, Banff has hosted many annual events, including Banff Indian Days which began in 1889, and the Banff Winter Carnival. Since 1976, The Banff Centre has organized the Banff Mountain Film Festival. In 1990, the town was incorporated as a municipality of Alberta, though still subject to the National Parks Act and federal authority in regards to planning and development.[17] As of the 2005 census, the Town of Banff has a population of 8,352, of which nearly 7,000 are permanent residents.[18] The Bow River flows through the town of Banff, with the Bow Falls located on the outskirts of town.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise, a small village located 54 kilometres (32 mi) west of the Banff townsite, is home to the landmark Chateau Lake Louise at the edge of Lake Louise. Located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Lake Louise, Moraine Lake provides a scenic vista of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This scene was pictured on the back of the $20 Canadian banknote, in the 1969–1979 (“Scenes of Canada”) series. The Lake Louise Mountain Resort is also located near the village.
Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway extends 230 kilometres (143 miles),[19] connecting Lake Louise to Jasper, Alberta. The Parkway originates at Lake Louise, and extends north up the Bow Valley, past Hector Lake, Bow Lake, and Peyto Lake. The Parkway then crosses a summit, and follows the Mistaya River to Saskatchewan Crossing, where it converges with the Howse and North Saskatchewan River.
The North Saskatchewan River flows east from Saskatchewan Crossing, out of Banff, into what is known as David Thompson country, and onto Edmonton. The David Thompson Highway follows the North Saskatchewan River, past the man-made Abraham Lake, and through David Thompson Country. At Saskatchewan Crossing, basic services are available, including gasoline, cafeteria, a gift shop, and small motel.
North of Saskatchewan Crossing, the Icefields Parkway follows the North Saskatchewan River up to the Columbia Icefield. The Parkway crosses into Jasper National Park at Sunwapta Pass at 2,023 metres (6,635 ft) in elevation,[20] and continues on from there to the Jasper townsite.
Geology
The Canadian Rockies consist of several northwest-southeast trending ranges. Closely following the continental divide, the Main Ranges form the backbone of the Canadian Rockies. The Front Ranges are located east of the Main Ranges. Banff National Park extends eastward from the continental divide and includes the eastern slope of the Main Ranges and much of the Front Ranges. The latter include the mountains around the Banff townsite. The foothills are located to the east of the Park, between Calgary and Canmore. On the other side of the Park, the Western Ranges pass through Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Still farther west is the Rocky Mountain Trench, the western boundary of the Canadian Rockies region in British Columbia.
The Canadian Rockies are composed of sedimentary rock, including shale, sandstone, limestone and quartzite, that originated as deposits in a shallow inland sea. The geologic formations in Banff range in age from Precambrian eon to the Jurassic period. The mountains were formed 80–120 million years ago, as a product of thrust faults.[21]
Castle Mountain
Over the past 80 million years, erosion has taken its toll on the landscape, with more extensive erosion occurring in the foothills and Front Range than in the Main Range.[21] Banff’s mountains exhibit several different shapes that have been influenced by the composition of rock deposits, layers, and their structure. Numerous mountains in Banff are carved out of sedimentary layers that slope at 50–60 degree angles.[21] Such dip slope mountains have one side with a steep face, and the other with a more gradual slope that follows the layering of the rock formations, e.g., Mount Rundle, near the Banff townsite.
Other types of mountains in Banff include complex, irregular, anticlinal, synclinal, castellate, dogtooth, and sawback mountains.[22] Castle Mountain exemplifies a castellate shape, with steep slopes and cliffs. The top section of Castle Mountain is composed of a layer of Paleozoic-era shale,[23] sandwiched between two limestone layers. Dogtooth mountains, such as Mount Louis, exhibit sharp, jagged slopes. The Sawback Range, which consists of dipping sedimentary layers, has been eroded by cross gullies. Scree deposits are common toward the bottom of many mountains and cliffs.
Banff’s landscape has also been marked by glacial erosion, with deep U-shaped valleys and many hanging valleys that often form waterfalls. Matterhorn-type mountains, such as Mount Assiniboine, have been shaped by glacial erosion that has left a sharp peak. A number of small gorges also exist, including Mistaya Canyon and Johnston Canyon.
Glaciers and icefields
Banff National Park has numerous large glaciers and icefields, many of which are easily accessed from the Icefields Parkway. Small cirque glaciers are fairly common in the Main Ranges, situated in depressions on the side of many mountains. As with the majority of mountain glaciers around the world, the glaciers in Banff are retreating. Photographic evidence alone provides testimony to this retreat and the trend has become alarming enough that glaciologists have commenced researching the glaciers in the park more thoroughly, and have been analyzing the impact that reduced glacier ice may have on water supplies to streams and rivers. The largest glaciated areas include the Waputik and Wapta Icefields, which both lie on the Banff-Yoho National Park border. Wapta Icefield covers approximately 80 square kilometres (30.9 sq mi) in area.[24] Outlets of Wapta Icefield on the Banff side of the continental divide include Peyto, Bow, and Vulture Glaciers. Bow Glacier retreated an estimated 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) between the years 1850 and 1953,[24] and since that period, there has been further retreat which has left a newly formed lake at the terminal moraine. Peyto Glacier has retreated approximately 2,000 metres (6,561 ft) since 1880,[25] and is at risk of disappearing entirely within the next 30 to 40 years.[26] Both Crowfoot and Hector Glaciers are also easily visible from the Icefields Parkway, yet they are singular glaciers and are not affiliated with any major icesheets.
The Columbia Icefield, at the northern end of Banff, straddles the Banff and Jasper National Park border and extends into British Columbia. Snow Dome, in the Columbia Icefields, forms a hydrological apex of North America, with water flowing from this point in to the Pacific via the Columbia, the Arctic Ocean via the Athabasca River, and into the Hudson Bay and ultimately into the Atlantic Ocean, via the North Saskatchewan River.[24] Saskatchewan Glacier, which is approximately 13 kilometers (8 mi) in length and 30 square kilometres (11.6 sq mi) in area,[24] is the major outlet of the Columbia Icefield that flows into Banff. Between the years 1893 and 1953, Saskatchewan Glacier had retreated a distance of 1,364 metres (4,474 ft), with the rate of retreat between the years 1948 and 1953 averaging 55 meters (180 ft) per year.[24] Overall, the glaciers of the Canadian Rockies lost 25% of their mass during the 20th century.
Climate
Located on the eastern side of the Continental Divide, Banff National Park receives 472 millimetres (19 in) of precipitation annually.[28] This is considerably less than received in Yoho National Park on the western side of the divide in British Columbia, with 884 millimetres (35 in) annual precipitation at Wapta Lake and 616 millimetres (26.3 in) at Boulder Creek.[28] 234 centimetres (92 in) of snow falls on average falls each winter in the Banff townsite, while 290 centimetres (114 in) falls in Lake Louise.
During winter months, temperatures in Banff are moderated, compared to other areas of central and northern Alberta, due to Chinook winds and other influences from British Columbia. The mean low temperature during January is −15 °C (6 °F), and the mean high temperature is −5 °C (24 °F) for the Town of Banff.[28] Weather conditions during summer months are pleasant, with high temperatures during July averaging 22 °C (71 °F), and daily low temperatures averaging 7 °C (45 °F).
Biology
Ecoregions
Banff National Park spans three ecoregions, including montane, subalpine, and alpine. The subalpine ecoregion, which consists mainly of dense forest, comprises 53% of Banff’s area. 27% of the park is located above the tree line, in the alpine ecoregion.[29] The tree line in Banff lies approximately at 2,300 meters (7,544 ft),[21] with open meadows at alpine regions and some areas covered by glaciers. A small portion (3%) of the park, located at lower elevations, is in the montane ecoregion.[29] Lodgepole pine forests dominate the montane region of Banff, with Englemann spruce, willow, aspen, occasional Douglas-fir and a few Douglas maple interspersed. Englemann spruce are more common in the subalpine regions of Banff, with some areas of lodgepole pine, and subalpine fir.[30] The montane areas, which tend to be the preferred habitat for wildlife, have been subjected to significant human development over the years.
Wildlife
The park has 56 mammal species that have been recorded. Grizzly and Black bears inhabit the forested regions. Cougar, Lynx, Wolverine, weasel, Northern River Otter and wolves are the primary predatory mammals. Elk, Mule Deer, and White-tailed Deer are common in the valleys of the park, including around (and sometimes in) the Banff townsite, while Moose tend to be more elusive, sticking primarily to wetland areas and near streams. In the alpine regions, Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, marmots and pika are widespread. Other mammals such as beavers, porcupines, squirrels, chipmunks, and Columbian Ground Squirrels are the more commonly observed smaller mammals.[31] In 2005, a total of 5 caribou were counted, making this species one of the rarest mammals found in the park.[4]
Due to the harsh winters, the park has few reptiles and amphibians with only one species of toad, three species of frog, one salamander species and two species of snakes that have been identified.[31] At least 280 species of birds can be found in Banff including Bald and Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Falcon and Merlin, all of which are predatory species. Additionally, commonly seen species such as the Gray Jay, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Mountain Bluebird, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee and pipit are frequently found in the lower elevations. The White-tailed Ptarmigan is a ground bird that is often seen in the alpine zones. Rivers and lakes are frequented by over a hundred different species including loons, herons and mallards who spend their summers in the park.[31]
Endangered species in Banff include the Banff Springs snail (Physella johnsoni) which is found in the hot springs of Banff.[32] Woodland caribou, found in Banff, are listed as a threatened species, as are grizzly bears.
Mountain pine beetles
Mountain pine beetles have caused a number of large-scale infestations in Banff National Park, feeding off of the phloem of mature lodgepole pines. Alberta’s first known outbreak occurred in 1940, infecting 43 square kilometres (17 sq mi) of forest in Banff.[33] A second major outbreak occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s in Banff and the surrounding Rocky Mountains region.
Tourism
Banff National Park is the most visited Alberta tourist destination and one of the most visited national parks in North America, with 3,927,557 visitors in 2004/2005.[4][34] During summer, 42% of park visitors are from Canada (23% from Alberta), while 35% are from the United States, and 20% from Europe.[35] Tourism in Banff contributes an estimated C$6 billion annually to the economy.[36]
A park pass is required for stopping in the park and permit checks are common during the summer months, especially at Lake Louise and the start of the Icefields Parkway. A permit is not required if travelling straight through the park without stopping. Approximately 5 million people pass through Banff annually on the Trans-Canada Highway without stopping.[3]
Attractions in Banff include Upper Hot Springs, and a 27-hole golf course at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and three ski resorts including Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort, and Mount Norquay ski resort. Day hikes, such as the Cory Pass Loop, are popular with visitors. Other activities include alpine and Nordic skiing, and horseback riding.
Backcountry activities in Banff include hiking, camping, climbing, and skiing. Parks Canada requires those using backcountry campgrounds, Alpine Club of Canada huts, or other backcountry facilities to purchase a wilderness pass. Reservations for using the campgrounds are also required.
The park saw a surge in visitors and interest in the park around August 2009 after the appearance of the “Crasher Squirrel” Internet meme. The meme is based a photograph of a Minnesotan couple visiting the park on the shore of Lake Minnewanka that was “crashed” by a Columbian ground squirrel; the photograph was quickly published in major news sources around the world and the image of the squirrel was digitally manipulated into humorous photos. The Banff Tourism Board has used the popularity of the meme to gain interest in the park, including setting up Twitter and Facebook pages for the squirrel.
Park management
Banff National Park is managed by Parks Canada, under the National Parks Act which was passed in 1930. Over time, park management policies have increasingly emphasized environmental protection over development. In 1964, a policy statement was issued that reiterated ideals of conservation laid out in the 1930 act. With the controversial bid for the 1972 Winter Olympics, environmental groups became more influential, leading Parks Canada to withdraw its support for the bid. The 1979 Beaver Book was a major new policy, which emphasized conservation. In 1988, the National Parks Act was amended, making the maintenance of ecological integrity the top priority. The amendment also paved the way for non-governmental organizations to challenge Parks Canada in court, for breaches in adhering to the act. In 1994, Parks Canada established revised “Guiding Principles and Operating Policies”, which included a mandate for the Banff-Bow Valley Study to draft management recommendations.[6] As with other national parks, Banff is required to have a Park Management Plan. On a provincial level, the park area and the
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Auyuittuq National Park
| Auyuittuq National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Location of Auyuittuq National Park |
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| Location | Nunavut, Canada |
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| Nearest city | Pangnirtung, QikiqtarjuaqNearest city: Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq |
| Coordinates | 67°53′0″N 65°01′00″W / 67.883333°N 65.0166667°W / 67.883333; -65.0166667Coordinates: 67°53′0″N 65°01′00″W / 67.883333°N 65.0166667°W / 67.883333; -65.0166667 |
| Area | 21,471 km² |
| Established | 1976 Established: 1976 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Auyuittuq National Park is a national park located on Baffin Island’s Cumberland Peninsula, Qikiqtaaluk Region, in Nunavut, the largest political subdivision of Canada. It features the many terrains of Arctic wilderness, such as fjords, glaciers, and ice fields. In Inuktitut – the language of Nunavut’s Aboriginal people, Inuit – Auyuittuq means “the land that never melts”. Although Auyuittuq was established in 1976 as a national park reserve, it was upgraded to a full national park in 2000.
Little vegetation can be found in Auyuittuq Park, although the plants that are found there range from flowers such as Mountain Avens, Campion, Papaver, and Saxifrage to shrubs like Dwarf Birch, Arctic Willow, and heather. Many of the plants in Auyuittuq Park grow in clumps to create their own warmer “microclimate” to survive the harsh Arctic conditions.
Because of the exceptionally low vegetation supply, wildlife is very scarce. There are only 12 species of mammals that live in Auyuittuq Park and these range from Lemmings (both the North American Brown Lemming and the Northern Collared Lemming), Arctic Hare, and Ermine to Polar Bear, Arctic Fox, and some Barren-ground Caribou.
The nearest towns are Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung. Visitors wishing to enter the park are required to register at the park office in Pangnirtung or Qikiqtarjuaq, and attend an orientation session. Park user fees apply.
The most common backpacking route in the park is known as Akshayuk Pass, and follows the Weasel and Owl Rivers via Summit Lake.
Well known peaks include Mount Asgard (shown in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me) with an 800 meter (2625 foot) face, and Mount Thor with a 1,250 meter (4,100 foot), 105° face.
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Gallery
 Mount Asgard, Baffin Island, 2001 |
 Mount Thor Peak, Baffin Island, 1997 |
 Rock formations and glaciers |
 Maktak Fiord Delta |
 Mount Thor |
 Akshayuk Pass |
Ukkusiksalik National Park
| Ukkusiksalik National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Location of Ukkusiksalik National Park in Canada |
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| Location | Nunavut, Canada |
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| Nearest city | Chesterfield InletNearest city: Chesterfield Inlet |
| Coordinates | 65°20′30″N 87°18′20″W / 65.34167°N 87.30556°W / 65.34167; -87.30556Coordinates: 65°20′30″N 87°18′20″W / 65.34167°N 87.30556°W / 65.34167; -87.30556 |
| Area | 20,500 km2 |
| Established | August 23, 2003 Established: August 23, 2003 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Ukkusiksalik National Park is a national park in Nunavut, Canada.
Ukkusiksalik National Park is a 20,500 square kilometres (7,900 sq mi) tundra and coastal mudflat region extending south of the Arctic Circle and the hamlet of Repulse Bay, from Hudson Bay’s Roes Welcome Sound towards the western Barrenlands and the source of Brown River. The park surrounds Wager Bay, a 100 kilometres (62 mi) long inlet on the Hudson Bay. Although the smallest of Nunavut’s four national parks, it is the sixth largest in Canada. Its name relates to steatite found there: Ukkusiksalik means “where there is material for the stone pot” (from ukkusik, meaning pot or saucepan like qulliq).
In addition to a reversing waterfall and 500 archeological sites, including an old Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) trading post, the region is home to such species as polar bears, Grizzly Bears, the Arctic Wolf, caribou, seals and Peregrine Falcons. Vegetation in the park is typical low tundra, with dwarf birch, willow and mountain avens. Scattered patches of boreal forest can be encountered in river valleys.
The park is uninhabited now, but the Inuit lived there from 1000s to the 1960s. Remains of fox traps, tent rings, and food caches have been discovered in the area. The HBC had an operating trading post in the area from 1925 to 1947.
The park was created on August 23, 2003, becoming Canada’s 41st national park, and the fourth in Nunavut. It can be reached by flights from Winnipeg, Manitoba and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
History
Little is known about Wager Bay’s early history, as until the 19th century the area was inhabited by Inuit who traditionally passed down their history by word-of-mouth.
There is, however, a remarkable quantity of stone relics, mainly tent rings from Thule people, inuksuit, caches and shelters which give evidence that the coast of Wager Bay was inhabited since thousands of years. About 500 archaeological sites have been identified within the last years as well from Dorset culture (500 BC – 1000 AD), as from Thule culture (1000 – 1800) and the last two centuries.
Barrenland Inuit (or Caribou Inuit) were not a homogeneous tribe, but families of quite diverse groups:
- Ukkusiksalingmiut from Back River and Hayes River regions
- Aivilingmiut from Repulse Bay region,
- Qairnirmiut from Baker Lake and Chesterfield Inlet regions
- Netsilik Inuit (Natsilingmiut) [Inuktitut doesn’t have “e” and “o”] from around Kugaaruk and Taloyoak.
First Europeans
Qarmaq relics, Tinittuktuq Flats (Wager Bay)
In 1742, Christopher Middleton on his sailing ship Furnace was the first European to enter the fjord, which he could not leave for several weeks because of ice flow.
He named the bay after Sir Charles Wager, First Lord of the British Admiralty, and an inlet where he anchored Douglas Harbour after James and Henry Douglas, sponsors of his expedition. The Savage Islands nearby he named after “savage Eskimos” (wild Eskimos) he met there.
Middleton was not successful in his search for the Northwest Passage, and neither was William Moore with his sloop Discovery five years later. As the region was too far away from Europe and considered to be “useless”, the bay was not mentioned or visited by outsiders for more than 100 years. In the 1860s, American explorer Charles Francis Hall’s in a two-masted ship, Monticello, while searching for John Franklin’s lost Northwest Passage expedition of 1845, reached Roes Welcome Sound in 1864 and had to overwinter at the mouth of Wager Bay.
In 1879, another American expedition led by Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka searching for John Franklin passed nearby Wager Bay by land. The region eventually became recognized when the fur trade started there at the end of 19th century.
Early 20th century
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Canadian government showed an interest in the Wager Bay region and sent geologist Albert Peter Low on Neptune in order to establish Canada’s sovereignty over the Arctic north.
At nearly the same time, in 1900, the American whaler George G. Cleveland, working alone, established a whaling station near the entrance of the bay, that operated for the next four years. Despite his closure of the station, Scottish whalers for some time tried their luck to hunt marine mammals in the Wager area. Large iron harpoon heads and other remnants are still found on the Savage Islands.
In 1910, the Royal Northwest Mounted Police (RNWMP, precursor of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) set up a police post at Wager Bay coast, near Savage Islands. A police boat wreck, in a small inlet on the south-east shore of Wager Bay is testimony to the brief presence of police there.
In 1915, George Cleveland set up a temporary, and the region’s first, trading post near the mouth of Wager Bay. In 1919, Cleveland now working for the HBC, again set up a trading post in the mouth of Wager Bay. It was transferring building materials for the establishment of the Repulse Bay HBC post. Situated at a favorable place at the northern end of Roes Welcome Sound this post became important for the company’s intention to expand their business towards the north.
Hudson’s Bay Company station at Ford Lake
Abandoned Hudson’s Bay Company outpost, Ford Lake
Alongside these local activities, the Hudson’s Bay Company, during the first years of the 20th century, made great effort to get the fur trade under control. They started to build up a large and dense network of posts from the barrenlands of northwest Hudson Bay to the northern coast of the continent. According to those plans, a post at the outermost edge of Wager Bay should play a key role. That new post was meant to include the Ukkusiksalingmiut area to the Back River estuary, 250 km (160 mi) to the northwest, into the company’s strategy, thereby, if ever possible, preventing commercial activities of competitors, Revillon Frères, operating from their Baker Lake base. In the late summer of 1925, the two-masted schooner Fort Chesterfield entered the channel, and, following the advice of local Inuit, found a well protected inlet in Tusjujak (now Ford Lake, named after J. L. Ford, post manager in 1929) to establish their strategic station.
During the first years, things went quite well. Besides offering usual supply goods, the post supported the Inuit in general, and gave, as far as possible, medical assistance. Thus, it became a meeting point that allowed Inuit from distant camps to exchange news as well. In December 1929, twenty-two Inuit families were counted, 107 persons in total, camping in their igloos nearby. Soon later, fur trade stopped booming. Hudson’s Bay Company changed their major post into an outpost in 1933 and entrusted an Inuk, Iqungajuq (Wager-Dick), with its management. He thereby got the chance to start his own business in the fur trade. Wager-Dick and his family lived in the post buildings and ran the outpost until 1946. The company was eventually successful with its strategy towards its competitor and bought Revillon Frères in 1936.
Catholic missionaries, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who passed by in those years set up a small mission on one of Savage Islands, but never had great success and withdrew, when the activities of Hudson’s Bay Company ended by mid-1940s and the Inuit had migrated into communities.
Presence
Sila Lodge, Wager Bay
Some 30 years later, from 1979 to 1981, Inuit from Rankin Inlet tried to revive their former homeland, but without success.
In the autumn of 1986 and the spring of 1987, descendants of Inuit from the area built Sila Lodge at Wager Bay’s north coast. The lodge was only opened for a few weeks during the summertime to allow nature enthusiasts to stay in the area, which was in fact untouched for the rest of the year. Due to the high expenses of the flights, the owners could not maintain the lodge after 2002.
Landscape
Sila River and Wager Bay
At Hudson Bay’s northwest corner, some 200 km (120 mi) northeast of Chesterfield Inlet, near the Capes Fullerton and Kendall, is the entrance of Roes Welcome Sound, which extends northwards between the Barrenlands of the Kivalliq Region (meaning: border of the land) and Southampton Island to Repulse Bay, where there is a settlement of that name, situated at the Arctic circle. Wager Bay is an inlet of Roes Welcome Sound, pretty much in its geographical center, near Cape Dobbs.
Wager Bay is the core of the national park. Its entrance is a rather narrow bottleneck, it is more than 30 km (19 mi) long and approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) wide at its narrowest spot. The tides rise and fall up to 8 metres (26 ft) and currents are extraordinary and cause large accumulations of ice masses during most of the year, often preventing the passage of watercraft. During early summer the rising flood water washes large quantities of drifting ice and icebergs into the bay. These accumulate during ebb tide, close the bottleneck like a cork and may stay for hours or even days.
In some places, Wager Bay is more than 250 m (820 ft) deep. The fjord is up to 35 km (22 mi) wide and almost 200 km (120 mi) long, extending northwest into Kivalliq-Barrenlands. It reaches latitude 66°, therefore some 40 km (25 mi) from the Arctic Circle.
Even at its western end, tides are impressive, between Wager Bay and the 2 km (1.2 mi) wide Ford Lake (Tusjujak in Inuktitut), so-called Reversing Falls occur. In Canada, only three of those phenomena are known, Reversing Falls in New Brunswick and Barrier Inlet, Hudson Strait, Nunavut are the others. The strongest ones are in Norway, 30 km (19 mi) east of Bodø, Nordland. They are called Saltstraumen and considered world’s strongest tidal currents.
The soil of the area is characteristic of the Canadian Shield.
Climate
The prevailing climate is arctic-maritime; relatively little precipitation, low temperatures, and strong winds. It has North America’s highest wind chill and largest snowdrifts. Due to this, the National Park is considered to be “high arctic”.
A remarkable feature is that at the south shore of Wager Bay a steep mountain range, gorged by former glaciers, strongly influences the weather. Due to its proximity to Hudson Bay, drops in temperature and strong fog are normal during summertime, as blizzards are during early autumn. The bay is not completely free of ice before the end of July, although temperatures may range from cool to very warm between May and September.
Fauna
Male polar bear climbing ice floe
According to actual zoological research, there live sixteen species of mammals in the park. At Wager Bay’s south shore is a large polar bear denning area. Therefore in July and at the beginning of August, polar bears can be observed, from a boat, on floes, on islands or swimming from close up. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and curious Arctic Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) come close to Sila Lodge. More rarely to be seen are the shy lemmings (Lemmus sibiricus). Due to their camouflage, Arctic Foxes (Alopex lagopus) and Arctic Hares (Lepus arcticus), are not easily spotted but are most likely seen when fleeing. Other animals seen occasionally include the Arctic Wolf (Canis lupus arctos), the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), the Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) and the wolverine (Gulo gulo).
Several species of marine mammals can be seen in the park’s area: Ringed Seals (Phoca hispida) and Bearded Seals (Erignathus barbatus) live here in large numbers, and from time to time a walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), a Common Seal (Harbour Seal, Phoca vitulina), a beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) or a narwhal (Monodon monoceros) may appear in Wager Bay.
Only four species of fish have been reported up to now: Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) and ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius).
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Wapusk National Park
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Polar Bear at Cape Churchill in Wapusk National Park |
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Location of Wapusk National Park in Canada |
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| Location | Manitoba, Canada |
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| Nearest city | ChurchillNearest city: Churchill |
| Coordinates | 57°14′47″N 92°40′13″W / 57.24639°N 92.67028°W / 57.24639; -92.67028Coordinates: 57°14′47″N 92°40′13″W / 57.24639°N 92.67028°W / 57.24639; -92.67028 |
| Area | 11,475 km² |
| Established | 1996 Established: 1996 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Wapusk National Park is Canada’s 37th national park, established in 1996. The park is located in the Hudson Plains ecozone, 45 km south of Churchill in north-east Manitoba, Canada, on the shores of Hudson Bay. Access to the park is limited due to its remote location and an effort to preserve the park. The name comes from the Cree word for polar bear (wâpask).[1] The Park is also home to Cape Churchill, which is renowned as the best location in the world to view and photograph wild polar bears. The only way people can access Cape Churchill is by helicopter or Tundra Buggy.
Ecology
Wapusk is the Cree word for “white bear”, and as the meaning indicates, the 11,475 km² park protects one of the world’s largest known polar bear maternity denning areas. It includes a large part of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, a sub-arctic region bordering Hudson Bay that is mostly muskeg and wet peatlands. It is one of the wildest and most remote of Canadian landscapes.
Numerous birds are found in the Wapusk National Park including likely breeding area of the Short-billed Dowitcher.[2] The Wapusk National Park is a significant maternity denning area for the Polar Bear, Ursus maritimus.
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Gallery
 Caribou tracks |
 Polar bear mother & two cubs |
 Polar bear mother & two cubs |
 Polar bear denning area in summertime |
 Herd of caribou |
 Canada geese |
 Snowshoe hare |
 Willow ptarmigan |
 Playful polar bear |
 Approaching polar bear |
 Northern Lights |
List of National Parks
Banff National Park (Moraine Lake pictured) is Canada’s oldest National
This is a list of National Parks of Canada. Canadian National Parks preserve both spectacular and representative areas of the country, located in every one of the nation’s 13 provinces and territories. The goal of the national park service is to create a system of protected areas which represent all the distinct natural regions of the country.[1] Parks Canada – the governing and administration body for the system – has developed a plan identifying 39 different regions it aims to represent. As of 2005, Parks Canada reports that the system is more than 60% complete. Canada’s parks are managed primarily to protect the ecological integrity of the park, and secondarily to allow the public to explore, learn about and enjoy Canada’s natural spaces.[1] As of 2005, feasibility studies have been undertaken for establishing further national parks in three areas: Wolf Lake in Yukon, South Okanagan-Lower Similkameen in British Columbia and the Manitoba Lowlands (north-western Lake Winnipeg).[2]
As of 2008, there are 36 National Parks and six National Park Reserves (including Kluane National Park and Reserve, which is considered both a National Park and a Reserve). This list also includes the country’s three National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs), the lone National Landmark, and three future parks.
Jasper National Park
| Jasper National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Jasper Park Location |
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| Location | Alberta, Canada |
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| Nearest city | JasperNearest city: Jasper |
| Coordinates | 52°52′23″N 118°04′56″W / 52.87306°N 118.08222°W / 52.87306; -118.08222Coordinates: 52°52′23″N 118°04′56″W / 52.87306°N 118.08222°W / 52.87306; -118.08222 |
| Area | 10,878 km² |
| Established | 1907 Established: 1907 |
| Visitors | 1,988,600 (in 2006[1]) |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| World Heritage Site | 304 |
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning 10,878 km² (4200 mi²). It is located in the province of Alberta, to the north of Banff National Park and west of the city of Edmonton. The park includes the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and, of course, mountains. Wildlife in the park includes elk, caribou, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, black bear, beaver, Rocky Mountain pika, hoary marmot, gray wolf, mountain lion, and wolverine.
History
Jasper was named after Jasper Hawes, who operated a trading post in the region for the North West Company. Before this it was referred to as Fitzhugh. The park was established on September 14, 1907 as Jasper Forest Park, and was granted national park status in 1930, with the passing of the National Parks Act.[2]
In 2006, Jasper National Park had 1,988,600 visitors.[1]
World Heritage Site
This park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, together with the other national and provincial parks that form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, for the mountain landscapes containing mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons and limestone caves as well as fossils found here.
Geography
Major river systems originating in the park include the North Saskatchewan River (part of the Hudson Bay basin), the Athabasca River and Smoky River (part of the Arctic Ocean basin).
Attractions
Some of the park’s scenic attractions include Mount Edith Cavell, Pyramid Lake with Pyramid Mountain, Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake, and the Tonquin Valley. Other attractions are the Marmot Basin ski area, the Snocoach (bus-sized snowmobile) tours of the Athabasca Glacier, a distributary of the Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls, Maligne Lake, Whistler Sky-Tram the Jasper Tramway, and numerous other outdoor related recreational activities (such as hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, rafting, kayaking and camping). The Miette Hotsprings are located close to the northeast entrance. The Miette Hotsprings are created by an extremely hot spring cooled by the mountain to temperatures suitable for humans.
The Icefields Parkway is a highway 230 km (143 miles) in length from Lake Louise, Alberta in Banff National Park, to Jasper, Alberta. The highway parallels the continental divide, providing motor and cycle access to the mountains. The Athabasca and Snwapta Falls are both accessible by the road. An aerial view of the one of the falls can be seen here.
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Fryatt Valley from the top of the head wall.
Photo gallery
 Scene from Whistlers Mountain |
 Sunwapta Falls |
 Jasper from the Whistlers Mountain |
 Bighorn Sheep at Medicine Lake |
 Moose |
 View from the Icefields Parkway going North from Lake Louise, Alberta in Banff National Park |
 Lac Beauvert with part of the Jasper Park Lodge over on the North (right) shore |
 Panoramic view of Jasper, Alberta and surroundings from top of Whistlers Mountain |
 Scenic sunset in Jasper National Park |
 Cavell Glacier in Mount Edith Cavell |
 Athabasca Glacier |
 Lake Edith |
Terra Nova National Park
| Terra Nova National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Location of Terra Nova National Park in Canada |
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| Location | Newfoundland, Canada |
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| Nearest city | Port BlandfordNearest city: Port Blandford |
| Coordinates | 48°30′43″N 53°59′46″W / 48.51194°N 53.99611°W / 48.51194; -53.99611Coordinates: 48°30′43″N 53°59′46″W / 48.51194°N 53.99611°W / 48.51194; -53.99611 |
| Area | 400 km² |
| Established | 1957 Established: 1957 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Terra Nova National Park is located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, along several inlets of Bonavista Bay. The park takes its name from the latin name for Newfoundland.
Terra Nova’s landscape is typical of the northeast coast of Newfoundland, with remnants of the Appalachian Mountains contributing to widely varied and rugged topography throughout the region. The park’s seacoast consists of several rocky “fingers” jutting into Bonavista Bay along an area stretching from just north of Port Blandford to the vicinity of Glovertown. The coastline varies from cliffs and exposed headlands to sheltered inlets and coves, contributing to Newfoundland’s prime recreational boating area.
Inland areas consist of rolling forested hills, exposed rock faces, and bogs, ponds and wetlands. Wildlife protected by the park range from small to large land mammals, migratory birds, and various marine life. Terra Nova also protects an area containing remnants of the Beothuk Nation, as well as many of the early pioneer European settlements in the region.
Terra Nova National Park was created in 1957 and was the first National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador. Terra Nova protects the Eastern Island Boreal Forest natural region. This region covers most of the island of Newfoundland, east of Deer Lake, and is characterized by black spruce trees with pockets of balsam fir, white pine, mountain ash, tamarack, maple and other deciduous tree species.
Challenges
Terra Nova, like many parks, has challenges in preserving its ecological integrity. Firstly, one of the mechanisms to renew a boreal forest ecosystem is forest fire – something that hasn’t happened in the region in many years. As a result, the forest of Terra Nova is not mixed. It is mostly old growth forest with trees of roughly the same age. Forest fire renews the forest and creates new habitat for many boreal creatures. Another challenge facing Terra Nova is introduced species. Newfoundland suffers from “the island effect”. Islands can have very different ecosystems than their mainland counterparts. For example, the island of Newfoundland only has 14 native mammals while neighboring Nova Scotia has over 40.
Activities
There are lots of things to do during your visit to Terra Nova National Park. There are two campgrounds that offer front country camping: Newman Sound and Malady Head. Newman Sound is the bigger of the two and has many sites with electrical capability. Malady Head is a quieter campground and offers more of a “wilderness experience.” There are also a number of backcountry camping areas that you can hike, canoe or kayak to. There are many trails in the park of varying length and difficulty. The main visitor centre is located at Salton’s Brook. There you will find marine exhibits, including a touch tank, the Ocean Watch boat tour that will take you out into Newman Sound to see bald eagles, and sea kayaking. There is also a Coast Guard exhibit, a gift shop [1] and a restaurant.
During the summer there are a number of interpretive programs offered at Terra Nova. Almost every night there is a show at the Evening Theatre about the themes of the Park. Previous shows include “Forest Feud” and “The Broad Cove Bachelor”. Once a week there is also a campfire program at the campfire circle where you can listen to some sounds of Newfoundland while sipping hot chocolate. There are also a number of interpretive hikes that cover themes such as introduced species, forest fire, species at risk, and edible plants.
There are a number of activities for kids. There is a Nature House [2] in Newman Sound Campground that offers daily programs. One of the more popular programs is the Junior Naturalist Program where children get stamps towards becoming a junior naturalist. There is also a Graduate Naturalist Program where older children get a workbook with lots of fun activities to complete.
Terra Nova also organizes and celebrates a number of special events. Some of the more popular include Canada Day (July 1), Kids day, Newfoundland and Labrador day, Take a Hike Day, Oceans Day (June 8), and the Heritage Folk Festival[3](August).
Winter activities at the park include winter camping, snowshoeing and cross country sking. People are also welcome to come and have a “mug up” at the park during the winter.
Gros Morne
Gros Morne
Gros Morne National Park of Canada was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is an area of great natural beauty with a rich variety of scenery, wildlife, and recreational activities. Visitors can hike through wild, uninhabited mountains and camp by the sea. Boat tours bring visitors under the towering cliffs of a freshwater fjord carved out by glaciers. Waterfalls, marine inlets, sea stacks, sandy beaches, and colourful nearby fishing villages complete the phenomenal natural and cultural surroundings of Gros Morne National Park of Canada.
Yoho National Park
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Takakkaw Falls |
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Location of Yoho National Park |
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| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
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| Nearest city | GoldenNearest city: Golden |
| Coordinates | 51°23′43″N 116°29′12″W / 51.39528°N 116.48667°W / 51.39528; -116.48667Coordinates: 51°23′43″N 116°29′12″W / 51.39528°N 116.48667°W / 51.39528; -116.48667 |
| Area | 1,313 km² |
| Established | 1886 Established: 1886 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
| World Heritage Site | 304 |
Yoho National Park is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains along the western slope of the Continental Divide in southeastern British Columbia. Yoho NP is bordered by Kootenay National Park on the southern side and Banff National Park on the eastern side. The name Yoho comes from a Cree word expressing amazement.
Yoho covers 1,313 km² (507 mi²) and it is the smallest of the four contiguous national parks (NP). Yoho, together with Jasper NP, Kootenay NP and Banff NP, along with three British Columbia provincial parks—Hamber Provincial Park, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, and Mount Robson Provincial Park—form the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. The park’s administrative and visitor centre are located in the town of Field, British Columbia, beside the Trans-Canada Highway.
Canada travel 