With Yoho National Park just a 30-minute drive to the east, Glacier National Park a 45-minute drive to the west and a tradition of mountain guiding that goes back to the turn of the 20th Century, Golden has a special relationship with its beautiful mountain parks. Hike trails with spectacular views, try rock climbing and search for fossilized marine animals.
Yoho National Park
A Cree Aboriginal word, "Yoho" is an expression of awe and wonder - a word that perfectly captures the experience of being among these jagged mountains, turquoise lakes and cascading rivers. There are more than 400km/250mi of hiking trails and an endless list of attractions, including the beautiful Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls - Canada's highest waterfall. The Burgess Shale contains fossilized remains of more than 100 species of marine animals, dating back more than 500 million years. It may seem unbelievable, but 200 million years ago these mountains were below sea level. Guided hikes to this protected area are offered from early July through mid-September. For more information, contact the Yoho National Park Visitor Centre in the village of Field.
Glacier National Park
Spanning the Selkirk Mountains, 12% of this high elevation park is permanently covered with snow and ice. Stands of hemlock and cedar trees flourish at lower elevations, providing important habitat for many species of animals and birds. Eight hiking trails begin at the Illecillewaet (pronounced illa-silhouette) Campground. The histories of Golden and Glacier National Park intersect towards the end of the 19th Century. The park, which was created with the specific intention to promote tourism, became very popular with Victorian adventurers. Mountain guides from Switzerland were employed by the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway) to take people up into the mountains and onto the glaciers that surround Rogers Pass. The descendants of some of these guides still live in Golden, and some are still mountain guides.
Learn more about the history of the park at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre, near the summit of the pass.
The Bugaboos
The granite spires of Bugaboo Provincial Park attract climbers from all over the world. This park is one of the world's great alpine rock climbing centres. Although there are a few easy to moderate climbs, most routes involve difficult traverses and require the use of crampons, ice axes and ropes. Access to the park is via a 50km/30mi gravel road that intersects with Hwy 95, 76km/47mi south of Golden. The Conrad Kain Hut accommodates up to 40 people. Reservations should be made through the Alpine Club of Canada.
If leaving the car overnight, protect the tires and brake lines with chicken wire - the porcupines around here get inquisitive and hungry.