This is where racers get more information about this Waypoint, but it is for Registered Racers only!
If you want to read more about this location, it's not too late to sign up for the MTU™ Showdown, it's Free!
Register HERE
If you are signed up for the race already, log in below
Waypoint #10 – Howse Pass
Howse Pass lies at the head of the Howse River valley from Saskatchewan Crossing, and is the site of the David Thompson Heritage Trail. A rough road was cut to this point back in in 1806, allowing for access to British Columbia, and the Columbia river valley, but it has since fallen into disrepair. This pass was considered for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, but Kickinghorse Pass (the site of the current Trans Canada Highway) was chosen instead.
View this post on Instagram
The last maintenance work was carried out here in 1993, so the trail is very overgrown, and you need to make the choice of bushwhacking in the forest, climbing over and under blown down trees, or wading across glacier fed streams in the Howse River Valley. When you arrive at the pass, you are suddenly greeted by plaques, and signage letting you know that it is a National Historic Site of Canada, a strange sight considering how hard it was to get here!
LINKS:
https://greatdividetrail.com/the-vanishing-trail/
Waypoint #10 – Sulphur Mountain, Alberta
When you leave the Moraine Lake area, you will return to Lake Louise where you will rejoin the Trans-Canada Highway (HWY 1) heading east. You will pass through the townsite of Banff and follow the signs to Sulphur Mountain. The distance of this portion of the run is 72 km.
View this post on Instagram
Sulphur Mountain overlooks the town of Banff. The mountain was named in 1916 for the hot springs on its lower slopes. There are two ways that you can get to the top of Sulphur Mountain, you can take the gondola or you can hike up the strenuous trail which follows a series of switchbacks to the summit ridge, and the upper terminal of the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. A network of trails along the ridge, and viewing decks at the gondola station, provide stunning views of the Bow Valley. The hike is 5.5 km with an elevation gain of 655 m. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours. This steep trail can be very slippery, especially in spring and fall. Check the trail report before heading out.
To get even more impressive and revealing views, you can climb an extra km along the Parks Canada Vista Trail, known as the Banff Skywalk. It’s an easy self guided interpretive walk that takes you along the summit ridge leading to Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Observatory. Allow yourself 30 to 40 minutes return trip to the observatory and back. In the early 1900s, Norman Sanson climbed a trail up the mountain every week. For nearly 30 years he recorded the weather data at this historic stone building that is still standing.
View this post on Instagram
In 1883, three rail workers stumbled across hot water and steam flowing out of a cave on the lower slopes of what is now known as Sulphur Mountain. The hot spring was discovered to be one of nine sulphurous hot springs on the mountain’s northeast flank. In the midst of the late 19th century craze for the “water cure”, commercial operations were soon established and people flocked to Banff to “take the waters” and enjoy the soothing and reputedly healing properties of the mineral-rich springs.
The Banff Hot Springs are still a favourite today among visitors and locals. It’s magical to sit in the pools in the wintertime, watching snow fall on the surrounding peaks. Sunrise and sunset at any time of the year is also a wonderful time to visit, as the mountain air cools down during these times of day. The springs are open until late in the evening year-round. The water in the Banff Upper Hot Springs is heated geothermally, bubbling up to the surface from three km into the earth’s crust. The water that reaches the surface has not seen daylight for hundreds of years. It began as precipitation (rain and snow) which very slowly seeped through the sedimentary rock layers, getting hotter and absorbing dissolved minerals as it descended. The water then flows up to the surface along the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault, a large fracture in the mountain where rock layers have slid on top of each other. The natural temperature of the water that emerges at the Upper Hot Springs outlet varies depending on the season. During the winter, the temperature is as hot as 47° C. In the spring, the flow increases and the temperature cools off, to a minimum of 27° C.
View this post on Instagram
The Cave and Basin is an historic site and is the reason that Banff National Park and the entire Canadian National Park system exists. Through the interactive exhibits and film presentations you will learn how the hot springs were founded and be given a look into the history of Banff National Park and the railway. A short tunnel leads to the hot springs cavern. Be warned the sulphur smell can be quite strong at times. The Cave and Basin is just one component of nine sulphurous hot springs on the northeast flank of Sulphur Mountain and is the only hot springs of the nine that has a cavern large enough to accommodate groups of people.
These hot springs are home to the endangered Banff Springs snail and the now-extinct Banff longnose dace.
LINKS:
https://banff.ca/658/Sulphur-Mountain-Trail
https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/banff-gondola/
http://banffandbeyond.com/banff-gondola/
https://www.banfflakelouise.com/banff-hot-springs
http://banffandbeyond.com/a-glimpse-into-the-historic-cave-and-basin/
View this post on Instagram
Waypoint #10 – Edmonton, Alberta
The next city you will pass through on your run is Edmonton, (pop. 981,280 – 2017 Census) which is 25 km south of St. Albert. Fort Edmonton was established in 1795 as a major trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta and is known as “The Gateway to the North”. Their professional hockey team is called The Edmonton Oilers and their professional football team was, until recently, called the Edmonton Eskimos, but they have since discontinued the use of the name and are currently calling their football team The EE Football Team until a new name has been selected.
View this post on Instagram
Located in central Edmonton is the Muttart Conservatory. This is Edmonton’s premier horticultural attraction, it is nestled in the river valley and features more than 700 species of plants in 3 climate-regulated biomes – arid, temperate, and tropical – and a feature biome, located within giant glass pyramids.
Putrella, the “corpse flower”, is Muttart Conservatory’s most celebrated plant. Corpse flowers, or amorphophallus titanum, are found only on the island of Sumatra and are known for their horrible smelly bloom, which happens for 48 hours every few years. They’re rare in cultivation and it is exciting to think that one is thriving in the Tropical Pyramid.
View this post on Instagram
They also have Canada’s second-largest species orchid collection. Species orchids are essentially wild orchids — they are what you would find in nature, rather than the hybrids you might see in a grocery store or at a flower stand. They come in a surprising range of sizes, shapes and colours, and many of them require special care.
LINKS:
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/edmonton
https://www.thousandwonders.net/Muttart+Conservatory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum
[/mepr-show]
Advertisement
Prairie Route
About the Tour Guide
Heather Stirling
“Heather Stirling is a runner and Personal Peak Coach, born and raised in Edmonton. She started running 5 years ago, and has run every day for the last four years and counting. She loves running long distances on both the trails and the road. “
About the Company
Personal Peak Endurance
“Personal Peak Creates, Supports, and Promotes Athletes through a variety of programs. Whatever that big incredible thing you want to do is, we can help.”
For more information:
LATEST POSTS
Apr
2023
NEW Meowathon Training Programs launching April 1st
Apr
2022
NEW Infant Training Programs launching April 1st
Mar
2022
Personal Peak Athlete Spotlight: Larissa Costella
Mar
2022
Winter Running Traction – How to Get a Grip
Feb
2022
Kamil Nascak of the Czech Republic Wins 2022 MTU™ Showdown in New Course Record!
May
2021