KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK AND VICINITY - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 274

long) stretch bordering the Continental Divide. The park lies entirely in British Columbia,
bordered by Elk Lakes and Peter Lougheed Provincial Parks to the east and Banff National
Park at its narrow northern reaches. It is accessible only on foot and is not a destination for
the casual day-tripper. Mountains dominate the landscape, with 26 peaks—some of which
remained unnamed until recently—rising over the magical 10,000-foot (3,050-meter)
mark. They lie in two distinct ranges: the Royal Group in the north and the Italian Group
in the south. The dominant peak is 3,460-meter (11,350-foot) Mount King George, in the
Royal Group, which is flanked by massive hanging glaciers on its north- and east-facing
slopes. Mountain goats thrive on all the massifs, while the remote valleys are home to high
concentrations of elk and grizzly bears.
The park can be reached from two directions. Neither is signposted, so before setting
out for the park, pick up a good map of the area at a local information center or Forest
Service office. The following directions are intended only as a guide.
Connor Lake is the most popular destination in the south of the park. It is reached by
passing through Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, then continuing along a rough logging
road that parallels the White River to its upper reaches. (The most important intersection
to watch for is 11 km/6.8 mi from Whiteswan Lake; stay right, immediately crossing the
river.) At the end of the road, a tortuous 72 kilometers (45 miles) from Highway 93/95, is
a small area set aside for tents and horse corrals. From this trailhead, it's an easy walk up
Maiyuk Creek and over a low ridge to Connor Lake, where you'll enjoy great views of the
Italian Group to the north and Mount Forsyth to the southwest.
Small Queen Mary Lake lies in the western shadow of the impressive Royal Group.
It is generally the destination only of those on horseback or mountaineers continuing into
the Royal Group. To get there, turn off Highway 93/95 at Canal Flats and follow a log-
ging road up the Kootenay River watershed. For the first 48 kilometers (30 miles), the
road follows the Kootenay itself. Then it turns westward and climbs along the south side
of the Palliser River 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) farther to road's end. From this point, it's
a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) hike up a forested valley, with numerous creek crossings, to the
lake.
Campgrounds
Primitive campgrounds lie on the shores of Connor and Queen Mary Lakes ($5 per per-
son). An eight-person cabin sits at the north end of Connor Lake. Beds are offered on a
first-come, first-served basis for $15 per person per night.