Off the Main Highways in Waterton Lakes National Park

OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAYS

IN WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK

H. A. deVeber

The Act of Parliament under which the National Parks are established decrees that the Parks shall be maintained and made use of so as to leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.

From this decree there devolves upon the Parks Administration a very definite responsibility to ensure that any development work carried out does not damage the heritage which will be passed on to posterity, but that, while ensuring the heritage, the present generation is permitted to enjoy it to the full. Thus it becomes necessary to safeguard the forests and flowers from fire and other dangers, to conserve the wild life and to preserve the beauties of the mountain lakes, and still to leave all these natural attractions available for the pleasure and enjoyment of the thousands of visitors who throng to the Parks each year.

The tastes of our visitors vary - some are definitely making an extensive tour and have arranged their itinerary to include only a short stay at the many points of interest in Canada, while a large number are making a longer stay in the Park. For the first class there is a highway system, with branch roads to some of the more easily accessible beauty spots of the Park, while for those who wish to leave the highways there is an extensive system of trails covering practically the whole of the Park, extending over some one hundred and eighty miles.

By using the trails, which have been built with an eye to avoiding stiff climbs and for safe and comfortable horse-back riding, the visitor can reach the numerous mountain lakes, all stocked by fighting trout from the Park Fish Hatchery, and enjoy fishing in the most beautiful mountain settings. The energetic hiker can arrange trips with convenient stop-overs at good camping locations, the rider can arrange saddle horse trips of a couple of hours to two or three days duration, and those who just wish to stroll can take their afternoon walks along the shady paths bordered with flowers that are seen nowhere except in the mountains.

To all who use the trails there remains for their enjoyment the utter peace and restfulness of Nature at its best, bringing complete opportunity to relax from the cares of the world and so to obtain the utmost benefit from their vacation.

Here also is the chance to see the wild life of the mountain area, which retreats from the rush of highway traffic to the depths of the forest. A lone moose, stately elk, graceful mule deer, industrious beaver gnawing at trees along the water side, playful black and brown bear, nimble goats and mountain sheep, with many of the smaller animals and numerous species of birds, all have their homes in the quiet places of the Park and can be observed and perhaps photographed as a permanent reminder of a perfect holiday.