Institutional links

The Prince of Playgrounds

PLACES OF INTEREST AROUND BANFF.

(All distances are given from Bow River Bridge).

CAVE AND BASIN (1 Mile West).

Natural Sulphur Springs, at which a comfortable bath house has been erected by the Government. Temperature of water 90° and 80°. Bathing suits and towels supplied. Charge for bath, 25cts. No charge for admission to springs.

BOW FALLS (¾ Mile East).

The Bow River falls over a series of rocky ledges from a height of about 100 feet. At the foot of the falls is situated a small park furnished with seats, where even in the hottest weather delightful coolness may be found.

UPPER HOT SPRINGS (2 Mil½es).

The springs are reached along a good carriage road which winds about the eastern slope of Sulphur Mountain, reaching the springs at a height of 800 feet above the valley. The water here gushes from the mountain side at a temperature of 120° and the Government has a well-equipped bath house with tub, shower and plunge baths, besides an open swimming pool. The charge for baths is 25 cents. This spring may also be reached by a bridle path leading from the C.P.R. Hotel.

MIDDLE SPRINGS (½ Mile).

On the way to Hot Springs a road leading to the right takes the visitor to a mineral spring in its natural state. The view from this point is magnificent.

ALPINE CLUB HOUSE.

A new rustic building erected by the Canadian Alpine Club of Canada on an elevated site on the Upper Hot Springs road, open all summer to members of the Alpine Club only, contains a fine selection of Alpine photographs and library of Alpine literature.

TUNNEL MOUNTAIN (Summit 1½ Miles).

This rocky hill overlooks Banff on the east, and though only 1,200 feet above the level of the valley, seems higher than the other mountains surrounding the town which lie at a greater distance. A carriage road is laid out along the western face attaining an elevation of about 600 feet above the valley. A bridle path starting from the head of Cariboo Street leads to the summit, from which a splendid view is obtained of the Bow Valley. The climb up the bridle path can easily be made in 12 hours.

BUFFALO ENCLOSURE (2½ Miles).

An enclosure of two square miles at the base of Cascade Mountain in which are kept Buffalo, Moose, Elk, Deer and Antelope. The enclosure is on the line of the railway about one mile east of the station. The animals may sometimes be seen from the trains.

MUSEUM AND ZOO (At the north end of bridge)

The Museum contains specimens of the animal, floral and mineral wealth of the Park, as well as some splendid collections of Indian relics. etc., etc. In the Museum building the Park Superintendent's office is located. The Zoo is in the grounds surrounding the Museum and shows live specimens of many local wild animals. The aviary has many different species of pheasants as well as eagles and Canadian water fowl.

LAKE MINNEWANKA or SPIRIT WATER.
(Also called Devil's Lake.) (9 Miles).

A beautiful mountain lake, the drive to which is one of the finest in the Park, leading past the buffalo enclosure, along the base of Cascade Mountain at the foot of the cascade which gave the mountain its name, through the coal mining town of Bankhead along a wonderful natural embankment which looks as though some prehistoric railway builder had been at work, across Devil's Head Canyon to the lake where two launches, one carrying forty and the other seventy-five passengers, are ready at the wharf to make the magnificent trip of 16 miles to the east end of the lake. At the far end of the lake a camp is established at the best fishing ground on the lake. The round trip from Banff may be made between meals. Returning, the view of the mountains south and east of Banff is most entrancing.

Eagle, Banff Zoo.

DEVIL'S HEAD CANYON.

A short but romantic canyon on Devil's Head Creek. The bridge crosses about the middle of the canyon, affording a splendid view of the rocky walls and the emerald water of the creek.

Canyon near Banff.

SUN DANCE CANYON (2½ Miles).

A remarkable rift in the rocks through which Sun Dance Creek finds its way. The road to this point leads past the Cave and Basin.

SULPHUR MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORY (7 Miles).

A small stone building on the second peak of Sulphur Mountain, containing the Canadian Government Meteorological Station. A well-made pony trail leads from the Upper Hot Springs to the Observatory, and the view is one that ever lives in the memory.

THE LOOP.

A drive about seven miles long in the Bow Valley below the falls. The road runs along at some distance from the frowning face of Mt. Rundle, and returning, swings into the very base of the precipices. The valley is greatly favored by those wishing to pick wild flowers.

VERMILION LAKES and ECHO RIVER (2 Miles).

Canoeing and boating form one of the great attractions of Banff, and for a stretch of nine miles above the bridge the Bow is navigable for small craft. About half a mile from the bridge a stream enters the Bow, and following this up for 1½ miles the first of a group of three lakes is reached. These are the Vermilion Lakes, so called from the color of the lakes in autumn when the water weeds turn a brilliant red. A well equipped boat livery supplies safe row boats and canoes. Also steam and gasoline launches run regular trips up the river or may be chartered for special parties.

Hoodoo at Lake Minnewanka, Banff.

HOODOOS.

These natural concrete pillars are to be found in many places in the Park, but those at Lake Minnewanka and on the Anthracite road, are nearest to Banff. At Canmore there is a group of three, visible on the north side of the track, from the station.

ANTHRACITE ROAD.

A drive leading along the edge of the Bow Valley opposite Mt. Rundle and affording a splendid view of the eastern face of Tunnel Mountain, which rises a sheer precipice of 1,200 feet. This drive is about 5 miles long.

CASCADE MOUNTAIN.

Is one of the main features of Banff's local topography. It rises to a height of nearly 10,000 feet and was named by the first white man who saw it, Sir George Simpson, the reason being the peculiar cascade that falls down its eastern face from a height of over 1,000 feet. This mountain is often climbed and gives the mountaineer a good day's work.

RUNDLE MOUNTAIN.

Is another of Banff's sentinels and is of the same height as Cascade. The climb up Rundle is less arduous than the Cascade climb, and can be done in six to eight hours. Local guides can be obtained for both these climbs, which are not dangerous, if ordinary good sense is used.

A DAY IN BANFF.

The following suggestions are made for a day's visit to Banff, also a suggestion for elderly persons who wish to spend a day on foot, without too much exertion.

BEFORE BREAKFAST—Tunnel Mountain, either to carriage road or summit.

AFTER BREAKFAST—Loop Drive.

AFTERNOON—Lake Minnewanka and trip down Lake.

EVENING—A swim in the Basin.

ANOTHER DAY.

MORNING—Tunnel Mountain, Buffalo Park and Cave and Basin (Drive).

AFTERNOON—Upper Hot Springs, taking bath; returning, visit Spray River and Bow Falls.

EVENING—Take launch trip up Bow River, or canoe or rowboat to Vermilion Lakes.

These programmes crowd about as much as possible into a day, and the visitor could well afford to spend a week on the foregoing programmes.

A DAY'S OUTING FOR AGED PEOPLE.

Starting at the Bow River bridge follow the carriage road along the right bank for about a quarter of a mile, here a bridle path branches off close to the bank. This path is precipitous in places, but can be safely ascended in easy stages, resting places in the form of seats being afforded at regular intervals. The view of the river and falls from this path is very fine. This route may be followed to the Spray River bridge. Returning by the carriage road a short distance, an ascent may be made by a good trail to the Banff Springs Hotel, where a magnificent view is afforded from the pavilion. Access to the town is then very easy.

In the afternoon, walk to the Cave and Basin, following the road westward from the Bow bridge for one mile. At the Basin a bath in the warm sulphur water may be taken. Close by is the Cave which will be shown on application to the caretaker who will also point out the striking features of this wonderful freak of nature. In the evening a trip may be made up the Bow River for several miles in a commodious and safe power launch. The scenic points on this trip will be duly pointed out by the captain.

This is only one of many programmes that may easily be undertaken by those who for any reason may feel unable to take the more strenuous trips.

LIVERY TARIFF.

DEVIL'S LAKE (Lake Minnewanka).
Two or three persons...	$5		All day...	$7
Four or five persons...	$6		All day...	$8
TUNNEL MOUNTAIN. CAVE AND BASIN, BUFFALO PARK; OR LOOP, BUFFALO PARK, CAVE AND BASIN.
Two or three persons...	$5		Four or five persons...	$6
To CAVE AND BASIN.
Two or three persons...	$3		Four or five persons, each...	$1
TUNNEL MOUNTAIN, CAVE AND BASIN; OR LOOP, CAVE AND BASIN.
Two or three persons...	$4		Four or five persons...	$5
To BUFFALO PARK.
Two or three persons...	$3		Four or five persons, each...	$1
HOT SPRINGS AND SUNDANCE CANYON.
Two or three persons...	$5		Four or five persons...	$6
To ANTHRACITE.
Two or three persons...	$5		Four or five persons...	$6
To BANKHEAD MINES.
Two or three persons...	$4		Four or five persons...	$5
SINGLE RIGS AND SADDLE HORSES.
Single rig (with driver), $1.25 per hour, or part thereof. Single rigs (without driver), $1.00 per hour, or part thereof. Saddle horses, $1.00 for the first hour, and 50c. for each additional hour, or part thereof.

HOTELS.

BANFF.
Banff Springs Hotel,...	$3.50 and upwards per day.
(Canadian Pacific Railway).
Sanitarium Hotel,...	$2.50 to $4.00 per day.
Mount Royal Hotel,...	$3.00 and upwards per day.
King Edward Hotel,...	$2.00 per day.
Alberta Hotel,...	$2.00 per day.
Park Hotel,...	$1.00 per day.
Grand View Villa (Temperance),...	$2.00 to $3.00 per day.
Hydro House (Temperance),...	$2.00 per day.
Lake Minnewanka Chalet,...	$2.50 and upwards per day.
LAGGAN.
Lake Louise Chalet,...	$3.50 and upwards per day.
FIELD.
Mount Stephen House,...	$3.50 and upwards per day.
Emerald Lake Chalet,...	$3.50 and upwards per day.
GLACIER.
Glacier House,...	$3.50 and upwards per day.
Special arrangements may be made at any of the above hotels for longer periods.