Parkways of the Canadian Rockies

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Versatile Hiking Guide
Review: I bought this book in preparation for 2 weeks of both dayhiking and backpacking in the Mountain Parks, from which I just returned. I had never been to the Candian Rockies before, but have been to other mountain ranges in Western North America.
Travelling through Banff, Jasper, and Robson I found the book accurate in the details and broad in the coverage of trails. The authors give kilometer-to-kilometer logs of the hikes, which is very useful if you are hiking part of the way on a long trail, because it gives you a good idea as to how far you want to go. Historical background and some info about wildlife are given and keep the trail descriptions from being too "dry". If you are to buy ONE book for a trip, this is it. (I also have "Opinonated Guide...etc" and borrowed other books, but this one was the one to get used almost all the time. Get the Gemtrek topos (for example from Maptown.com) that cover the areas your interested in, and you're all set for dayhiking and 98% of backpacking needs.
The one weakness of the book is its lack of off-trail descriptions. While one can debate if anyone going off-trail should need such advice, it is very nice to have an idea about what's doable for a given level of skill and effort. Give the JNP and BNP trail offices a call -very helpful.
Nevertheless, this is a very well-written, comprehensive, yet detailed book.

Rating:
Summary: This book will lead you to incredible scenery
Review: I used this book while hiking for a week in Banff and Yoho National Parks in September '03. It thoroughly covers trails in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Koontenay, Waterton Lakes, Mount Robson and several other areas with accurate descriptions so one knows when to take the fork in the trail and when to stay straight. The book is designed in a very clean manner.

It starts with a basic introduction on things you need to be aware of when hiking in the Rockies such as bears and weather. Then comes the listing of trails for each park. How it works is that they divide each park into smaller sections, and each section is preceded by a map showing all the trails in that area. Next to each trail is a trail number. So you look at the map and see a trail you are interested in, flip a few pages to the page titled with that trail number and you get all the details you need. Or vice-versa...Read the different trail descriptions until one captures your interest and then flip over to the map and look for the trail with that trail number to get an idea of the layout of your hike.

The trail descriptions also show elevation gain and loss, maximum elevation, distance, and approximate time it will take to complete the hike. It also details on how to reach the trail-head by car and good times of the year to do certain trails. Many trail descriptions are accompanied by photos taken on that trail so get an idea of what you will see.

The other book I got was Don't Waste Your Time in The Canadian Rockies. It is unnecessary and less useful. That book has no trail maps and is not as thorough as the Trail Guide. The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide is 450 pages of trails that will lead you to scenes that seem impossibly beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: The one guide to buy
Review: If you are buying only one trail guide for the Canadian Rockies, this is the one to get. The current seventh edition has been reprinted with revisions in 2002 and is still the only trail guide that includes all of the mountain national parks as well as some trails in adjoining provincial parks. The trails listed for the Kananaskis area (Peter Lougheed Provincial Park) are limited in number but are a good selection for visitors with limited time.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible
Review: There is NO reason to have ANY other book. Don't weight down your packs with anything else, this book is simply THE REFERENCE for hiking ANY of the parks in the Banff area. The trail descriptions are so explicit and so correct. The maps make everything a cinch.

BUY THIS BOOK!

Rating:
Summary: How many editions of this book do you own?
Review: This book is the standard reference to hiking trails in the national parks of the Canadian Rockies. It's so indispensable that experienced hikers will often have multiple editions of this book, in order to stay current.

This edition, the seventh, is a more comprehensive revision than usual. Coverage has been expanded to include several provincial parks (including Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in the Kananaskis area, a welcome and overdue addition). There are more maps, and they've been redone: trails are numbered for easy reference. Plus updates and revisions throughout. Owners of previous editions will find it worthwhile to get this one as well.

As with previous editions, the interior photos are black and white and the package is by no means flashy, but this is a reference to be sworn by and used. It's always better to see the mountains close up, anyway. Pack this book along with your topo maps. I wouldn't be caught dead on a trail in Banff National Park without it!

Rating:
Summary: Seventh edition better than ever!!
Review: This has been "The Hiker's Bible" for over 30 years and is now in its seventh edition still in print. The new edition has added trails in adjacent provincial parks making it the only trail guide to cover the five national mountain parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton Lakes) and five adjoining provincial parks (Mt. Robson, Mt. Assiniboine, Peter Lougheed / Kananaskis, Elk Lakes and Akamina-Kishinena.)

The trail descriptions are complete and accurate and the maps are adequate. There are references to government topo maps and GemTrek maps for those who want more detail. This is still the best of all the Canadian Rockies Books and is readily available through Canadian stores in the area.

Rating:
Summary: Seventh edition better than ever!!
Review: This has been "The Hiker's Bible" for over 30 years and is now in its seventh edition still in print. The new edition has added trails in adjacent provincial parks making it the only trail guide to cover the five national mountain parks (Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Waterton Lakes) and five adjoining provincial parks (Mt. Robson, Mt. Assiniboine, Peter Lougheed / Kananaskis, Elk Lakes and Akamina-Kishinena.)

The trail descriptions are complete and accurate and the maps are adequate. There are references to government topo maps and GemTrek maps for those who want more detail. This is still the best of all the Canadian Rockies Books and is readily available through Canadian stores in the area.