The Essential Hiking Companion for the Canadian Rockies - Built for the Trail and Written from Experience
Are you dreaming of standing on the edge of a turquoise alpine lake, high above the world?
Do you crave the silence of real wilderness - where your only companion is the crunch of your boots and the call of a distant bird?
Have you ever wondered if you're truly prepared for the wild beauty (and real risks) of Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, and Waterton?
My name is Mary D. Smith, and this isn't just a hiking guide - it's the field-tested, heart-led, and story-rich handbook I wish I had the first time I stepped onto Rocky Mountain soil. After years exploring these national parks trail by trail, I've created this all-in-one 2025 guide to help you hike smarter, connect deeper, and experience the Canadian Rockies on your own terms - whether you're a first-timer or a returning adventurer.
Inside, you'll find far more than trail stats and elevation profiles. You'll find a personalized hiking approach, strategies to match your fitness and interests, gear planning made simple, and detailed zone-by-zone breakdowns for each of the five legendary parks. I've even included emotional trail types, recovery strategies, wildlife safety, storytelling techniques, stargazing tips, and sample itineraries based on your hiking "persona."
Worried it's too advanced? I guide you from step one - no prior backcountry experience required.
Afraid of getting overwhelmed by the options? I give you tools to choose your trails based on your mood, energy, or timeframe.
Think it might be too general or repetitive like other guides? Every chapter is written with lived detail, local nuance, and the kind of insider value no mass-produced book can offer.
You don't need to be an expert to explore like one. You just need a guide who's walked the same path.
This is your map, your mentor, and your mountain invitation - packed into one carefully crafted guide.
When you close this book, I want you to open your door - and go.
Because these mountains are waiting for you. And now, you're ready.
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