The western half of North America is home to some of the most beautiful adventure travel opportunities in the world. Whether it is the Grand Canyon, the breathtaking California coastline or the seemingly endless skies of the Midwest, it's hard to argue against the natural appeal of this expansive region. It can certainly be difficult to single out one particular destination, but the Canadian Rockies stand above the rest. With hiking, camping and sightseeing, there is no lack of things to see and do along this famous mountain range.
MacMillan Provincial Park
Situated in the southernmost reaches of British Columbia, MacMillan Provincial Park is famous for a number of reasons, but perhaps most importantly it is home to one of the lushest forests in the Pacific Northwest. While it may not have much in the way of mountains, the park is among the only easily-accessible Douglas-fir forests in the province.
The trees that populate the forest not only create an impressive view, but their age is also another selling point. Some experts estimate that the forest's trees could be as much as 800 years old, with some measuring more than 30 feet in circumference. As for specific highlights, adventure travelers can get their best looks at the centuries-old trees by hiking through Cathedral Grove.
Yoho National Park
While MacMillan Provincial Park is well-known for its forests, Yoho National Park takes things in a different direction. Situated in the southeastern corner of British Columbia, the park is home to numerous climbable mountains. Despite being among the smaller national parks in the region, it more than makes up for its size with a wealth of hiking and mountain climbing opportunities.
There are plenty of mountains to choose from, but Mount Burgess is among the most-frequently scaled. At more than 8,520 feet tall, it's certainly a challenge, but it is still accessible for less experienced climbers. Other taller mountains in the area include Mount Stephen and The Vice President, both of which stand more than 10,000 feet tall.
Sulphur Mountain
Located in Alberta's Banff National Park, Sulphur Mountain has much more to offer than a scenic climb up its 8,041 feet. The area surrounding the mountain is home to several hot springs, which can be the perfect way to unwind after a long day of hiking.
There is a simpler option for those looking for more of a leisurely ascent to the top of Sulphur Mountain. There is a gondola that is available to take to the top so they can still enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountain from the comfort of the car while recovering from the previous day's adventures.
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
Mount Sulphur is not the only highlight of Banff National Park, and the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is among the many others. This popular route offers breathaking views of the national park and features a landscape few other places on Earth can match, thanks in large part to the impact the large glaciers that came through the region had.
Among the can't miss stops along the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is Lake Louise, which provides one of the best panoramas in the park due to the majestic Canadian Rockies setting the perfect backdrop. Whether one's prefers hiking, mountain biking or even horse riding, Lake Louise remains one of the most popular destinations in the region.
Canadian Rockies replete with natural beauty
Posted on Monday, Sept. 24th, 2012
