Canadian Rockies, Mountain range in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.
Canadian Rockies are a mountain range in British Columbia and Alberta stretching roughly 1000 kilometers and built from layered sedimentary rock. Valleys with dense conifer forests lie between the peaks, and clear lakes reflect steep rock faces and glacier tongues.
Indigenous peoples like Stoney, Cree, and Blackfoot lived in these mountains for thousands of years and used the passes for trade and hunting. Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s opened the valleys to visitors from other parts of the country and from Europe.
Place names like Moraine Lake or Castle Mountain show how settlers perceived the landscape and tried to capture their experience in words. Hikers today meet other travelers on the trails and spot elk or mountain goats that have grown accustomed to human presence.
The mountain range is accessible through five national parks offering hiking trails, campgrounds, and wildlife observation points. Weather conditions can change quickly, so visitors should bring warm clothing and enough water.
Mount Robson reaches 3954 meters (12972 feet) and is the highest peak in the mountain range, surrounded by glaciers and alpine meadows. Its north face is considered one of the most demanding climbing routes in North America and attracts experienced mountaineers from around the world.
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