Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rogers Pass Discovery Centre
(250/837-7500,
www.pc.gc.ca
,
9am-5pm daily May-mid-
June, 8am-7pm daily mid-June-early Sept., 9am-5pm daily early Sept.-Nov., 7am-4pm
daily Dec.-Apr.) is beside the highway 1.2 kilometers (0.7 mile) north of the actual pass and
resembles the old-fashioned snowsheds that once protected the railroad from avalanches.
The center's fascinating displays focus on the park's natural and human history. Videos on
various aspects of the park are shown on the TV (the viewing area by the fireplace is a great
spot to while away time waiting for the clouds to lift), and the center's theater screens doc-
umentaries on mountain wildlife and avalanche protection. Staff members provide inform-
ation on trail conditions and closures, operate a small bookstore, and conduct interpretive
programs. The center is also the only place in the park to buy park passes, necessary for
those planning any hiking or camping.
Glacier National Park is bisected by the Trans-Canada Highway. From the highway summit
at Rogers Pass, Golden is 80 kilometers (50 miles) east and Revelstoke is 72 kilometers (45
miles) west. From Vancouver, allow seven hours to travel the 632 kilometers (395 miles) to
Rogers Pass.
Revelstoke lies 72 kilometers (45 miles) west of Rogers Pass at the confluence of the Ille-
cillewaet River and the mighty Columbia, surrounded by mountains—the Monashees to the
west and the Selkirks to the east. The setting couldn't be more spectacular.
An 1850s gold rush along the Columbia River brought the first Europeans to the area,
but the town really began to grow with the coming of the railroad in the 1880s. In fact, the
city is named for Lord Revelstoke, who provided funding for completion of the Canadi-
an Pacific Railway's line through town. Finally, the Trans-Canada Highway came to town
early in the 20th century, helping turn Revelstoke into today's midsize city of 7,200.
The town holds a couple of museums, but the main attractions are farther afield, includ-
ing two massive dams, a national park on the back doorstep, and great skiing and snow-
boarding on Mount Mackenzie.
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