American World Traveler Summer 2017 Issue

“Think this is beautiful? Just wait till you
get to the top,” said Emile Lavoie, a
Sherbrooke, QC native who now
makes his home in Golden. “It’s an infinity
pool of mountains.”
We were riding up the gondola at Kicking
Horse Resort, up to a height of 7700 feet
on a blue-sky spring morning. When we
got off the ride, not even Emile’s description
prepared us for the view that awaited.
Peak after peak of snow-capped mountains
surrounded us in every direction, stretching
out endlessly. It felt as though we had
stepped into a postcard of the heavens
above.
Mountains are what define the small town
of Golden, British Columbia, situated in the
Columbia Valley between the Rockies to the
east and the Columbia Mountains to the
west. There are no less than six national
parks within a two-hour drive: Banff,
Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier and Mount
Revelstoke. The town attracts a lot of folks
like Emile, outdoor enthusiasts who come
for a visit and never leave.
I can relate.
After a visit filled with hikes, wildlife sightings,
friendly people and most of all, the
ever-present mountains, it was hard to even
think about getting on a plane home. But
before I left, I consoled myself by buying a
lottery ticket, planning to come back the
next day if I won.
I would wager that if you visit, you’ll fall in
love with the region, too. And while you’re
there, try some of these Golden activities.
Wear Georgia’s Pants at Glacier
National Park
Canada’s second largest park, Glacier, is
located in the Selkirk range of the
Columbia Mountains, 80 kilometres west of
Golden. It’s home to the historic Rogers
Pass, a route discovered in 1881 through
the ‘impenetrable peaks’ that now connect
our nation from coast to coast. A lesserknown
slice of history is the park’s role in
the beginnings of alpine tourism and
mountaineering. It was advertised as ’50
Switzerlands in one’, and the Canadian
Pacific Railway even brought in Swiss
guides to lead affluent Edwardians through
the peaks. For the next few decades,
Glacier House hosted many a guests,
including one intrepid climber, Georgia
Engelhard. Despite public criticism, she
wore men’s pants while climbing and Swiss
guides joked about putting rocks in her
pack to keep up with her. One summer, she
summited no less than 24 peaks in the
Selkirk Mountains in just three weeks.
Modern-day tourists can pose with a metal
sculpture of her pants with the steep,
jagged peaks as a backdrop, and be
inspired to do their own hikes. We enjoyed
an easy walk on the Hemlock Grove Trail,
which showcases the interior rainforest
fauna, and explored some of the historical
remnants like railway pillars on the Loop
Brook Trail.
Paddle the Rivers
Golden is at the junction of the Kicking
Horse and Columbia rivers, both designated
BC Heritage Rivers and both offering an
abundance of recreational activities. True
adrenaline junkies can be helicoptered in
for a wild ride on the Kicking Horse River
through the lower canyon, famed for its
long stretch of class four white water and
vertical rock walls. This summer promises
to be one of the most exhilarating ever due
to the large amount of snowfall.
A more peaceful but equally breathtaking
paddling adventure is kayaking through
the Columbia Wetlands. At over 180 kilometers
in length, the protected tract of land
is home to over 300 species of birds, fish
and other wildlife. Columbia Wetlands
Adventures offers guided tours of this ecological
treasure. One of the most magical
moments of our Golden trip was paddling
on water so still it reflected the mountains
that surrounded us.
Explore Yoho National Park
Yoho comes from a Cree word meaning
‘awe and wonder’, and there are plenty of
spots to do just that in this national park,
located 60 kilometers east of Golden.
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There are over 400km of hiking trails
within its boundaries, and natural
highlights include Takakkaw Falls, one of
the highest waterfalls in western Canada
and Lake O’Hara, a jewel-blue lake that
has captured the imagination of generations
of visitors. Emerald Lake is the largest
of the park’s 61 lakes and lives up to its
name with a shimmering deep turquoise
colour. We walked the Emerald Lake
Circuit, which is an easy 5km loop,
although we did find it difficult not to stop
every five minutes for yet another photo.
Our next hike took us to Wapta Falls, which
at 490 feet wide is the largest on the
Kicking Horse River and also very photogenic.
Be sure to empty your memory card
before you go.
Recharge in Golden
Every adventure in the surrounding mountains
and rivers deserves a reward, and
there are plenty of establishments in town,
where you can digest your adventures as
well as good food and drink. Whitetooth
Brewing Company is a good place to
begin. Opened recently, these craft brews
inspired by Belgium-styled beers were an
instant hit. Refreshing cocktails and delicious
food can be found at Eleven22, a
local favourite. This renovated home with
seating inside and outside has a casual
atmosphere, and its locally-sourced original
menu is spot on. To start the day, you
can’t go wrong with Bluebird Café, a casual
eatery with homemade breakfast and
lunch options and in-house bakery treats.
Their packed lunches are ideal to take on
your day’s adventures.
And there’s one more spot not to be missed
– Eagle’s Eye Restaurant. Remember the
infinity pool of mountains the gondola took
us up to at Kicking House Resort? It’s also
the location of Canada’s highest restaurant
and almost every seat has an awe-inspiring
view. A perfect place to fall in love with the
mountains.
www.tourismgolden.com
American World Traveler Summer 2017