Among the Canadian AlpsBurpee, Lawrence J. (Lawrence Johnstone)
History
Among the Canadian Alps
Burpee, Lawrence J. (Lawrence Johnstone)
Canadian Rockies (B.C. and Alta.)
To accommodate all these visitors there are several comfortable hotels
in Banff, notably the Banff Springs Hotel, and the Chateau Rundle.
The Banff Springs Hotel, which has been repeatedly enlarged to meet
the ever-increasing requirements of tourist traffic, stands on the
summit of a rocky butte above the junction of the Bow and Spray
Rivers, and commands a strikingly beautiful view to the eastward where
the Bow has forced a passage between Tunnel Mountain and Mount Rundle.
Bow Falls lie immediately beneath, and in the distance the Fairholme
Range makes a splendid background.
Of the large number of tourists who visit the Canadian Alps, the
majority do not get very far away from Banff. The reason is perhaps
not hard to seek. At Banff they find, without any particular effort,
delightful views of mountain scenery, with all the comforts and
luxuries of eastern pleasure resorts. Comparatively short carriage
drives over good roads take them to a dozen points of interest in the
immediate neighbourhood. One of the most popular of these is the Cave
and Basin, a mile or so up the valley of the Bow, where one may enjoy
a plunge into the clear green waters of the pool. Other springs, with
a much higher temperature, boil out of the upper slope of Sulphur
Mountain, flowing over a series of brilliantly coloured terraces into
natural limestone pools. Here, as well as at the Basin, bath-houses
have been provided with every appliance for those who seek health or
merely pleasure. The drive up to the springs, through the pines, and
with ever-widening views of the enchanting valley, is well worth while
for its own sake.
A much finer view, however, is to be had from the summit of Tunnel
Mountain. One may drive, ride, or if he prefers a little moderate
exercise, walk to the summit. The southern face of Tunnel Mountain
drops in a sheer precipice nearly a thousand feet to the valley of the
Bow. Beyond rises the rugged bulk of Rundle, with the Goat Range in
the distance, the Spray winding as a silver thread down the valley,
the Bow sweeping down from the northwest, a noble circle of peaks
filling the horizon to the northwest and north, the Vermilion Lakes
sparkling in their emerald setting, and around to the northeast, a
glimpse of Lake Minnewanka.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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