CANADIAN ROCKIES - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 477

face of Mount Stanley rises 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the forest. The trail officially
ends atop the crest of a moraine after 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles), with distant views to Stan-
ley Glacier. Allow 90 minutes to reach this point. It's possible (and worthwhile) to continue
1.3 kilometers (0.8 mile) to the tree-topped plateau visible higher up the valley. Surpris-
ingly, once on the plateau, you'll find a gurgling stream, a healthy population of marmots,
and incredible views west to Stanley Glacier and north back down the valley. Be especially
careful on the return trip—it's extremely easy to lose your footing on the loose rock.
NATIONAL PARK PASSES
Permits are required for entry into all national parks of the Canadian Rockies. A Na-
tional Parks Day Pass is adult $10, senior $8, child $5, to a maximum of $20 per
vehicle. It is interchangeable between parks and is valid until 4pm the day following
its purchase.
An annual Discovery Pass, good for entry into national parks and national histor-
ic sites across Canada, is adult $68, senior $58, to a maximum of $136 per vehicle.
Both types of pass are available at the entrance to Kootenay, at all park visitor cen-
ters, and at campground fee stations. For more information or to purchase passes in
advance, visit the Parks Canada website ( www.pc.gc.ca ) .
Day Hikes
The most popular short walks are to Paint Pots and through Marble Canyon. Just west of
the Radium Hot Springs park gate is the Juniper Trail, an easy 3.2-kilometer (two-mile)
loop. Named for the abundance of juniper along one section, this trail traverses a variety of
terrain in a relatively short distance. You'll pass Sinclair Creek, an avalanche slope, and a
lookout offering views of Windermere Valley and the Purcell Mountains. Beginning on the
north side of the road just inside the park boundary, this trail rejoins the highway 1.5 kilo-
meters (0.9 mile) farther into the park. There you can retrace your steps back to the start or
return along the highway via Sinclair Canyon. Allow one hour.
For fit hikers only, sweeping mountain views from Kindersley Summit make up for the
pain endured along the way. Starting from Highway 93 two kilometers (1.2 miles) west of
Sinclair Pass, the trail gains 1,050 meters (3,445 feet) in 10 kilometers (6.2 miles); allow
four hours one-way.