BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 61

refused to leave. His name was James Smith, but he was known to everyone as Joe. In
1887, when Silver City came under the jurisdiction of the National Parks Service, Joe was
allowed to remain. He did so and was friendly to everyone, including Stoney natives, Fath-
er Albert Lacombe (who occasionally stopped by), well-known Banff guide Tom Wilson,
and of course the animals who grazed around his cabin. By 1926, he was unable to trap
or hunt due to failing eyesight, and many people tried to persuade him to leave. It wasn't
until 1937 that he finally moved to a Calgary retirement home, where he died soon after.
CASTLE MOUNTAIN TO LAKE LOUISE
After you leave the former site of Silver City, the aptly named Castle Mountain comes into
view. It's one of the park's most recognizable peaks and most interesting geographical fea-
tures. The mountain consists of very old rock (approximately 500 million years old) sitting
atop much younger rock (a mere 200 million years old). This unusual situation occurred
as the mountains were forced upward by pressure below the earth's surface, thrusting the
older rock up and over the younger rock in places.
The road skirts the base of the mountain, passes Castle Mountain Village (which has
gas, food, and accommodations), and climbs a small hill to Storm Mountain Viewpoint,
which provides more stunning views and a picnic area. The next commercial facility is
Baker Creek Mountain Resort (403/522-3761), where the mountain-style restaurant is
an excellent spot for a meal. Then it's on to another viewpoint at Morant's Curve, from