The Un-Canadian Sport of Backpacking

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Greg_R._Lynch]Greg R. Lynch
With so many backpacking trails in the Canadian Rockies, it's amazing to find more international tourists than Canadians citizens enjoying an outdoor adventure.
The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta offer spectacular scenery and memorable treks. Just a few hours from Calgary, backpackers can go further into the wilds, stay longer in nature and be one of the few to witness the ever changing beauty of the back-country.
"Maybe we've become too accustomed to having all of this natural beauty so close to home," says Greg Lynch, an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast with Scenic Travel Canada. "Perhaps that is why more Canadians don't venture into our own back yard." Here are a few backpacking trips he recommends:
Backpacking to Elbow Lake in Kananaskis, Alberta
K-country is a mountain playground just outside of Calgary & Banff and offers backpacking trips for people of all fitness levels. Elbow Lake is a short but steep hike that offers a well maintained campground along the shores of a small, green lake at the base of two mountains. This is the entrance to the Elbow Valley that leads to glacier hikes, waterfalls and high-altitude camping. The beauty and quiet of the area is amazing.
Exploring the Upper Kananaskis Loop Trail - Alberta
Day hikers can take this 15 kilometer walking hiking tour around this turquoise lake. Backpackers can extend the trip into a 2-3 day trek to explore secluded valleys, towering waterfalls and other mountain lakes at higher elevations. The continental divide, which marks the eastern or western flow of water as well as the provincial border, is never out of view.

Camping above the tree-line leaves backpackers potentially exposed to high winds, especially as Pacific weather systems move in from the coast. Camping in the forest, amongst 400 year old trees, provides more shelter and safety.
Hiking along Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park, BC
Exploring the glacier-scoured terrain in the BC Rockies is magical. Mornings are cold, even in the summer. As you emerge from your tent, in the shadow of a towering peak, the distant valleys offer a mountainous invitation to all those true adventure-lovers.
This 2-3 day trek gives hikers a more intimate view of Takakkaw Falls, a popular tourist destination near Field, BC. During the day, you'll hike through terrain on well-trodden wildlife paths and ascend mountain ridges that few people ever get to see (bear training is recommended). The nights are best when the moon is full. With a clear sky, the Milky Way seems close enough to touch.
<a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://scenictravelcanada.ca/adventure/backpacking/backpacking-canada">Backpacking in Canada</A> isn't just for tourists. Consider exploring your own backyard and discover the beauty that so many people from around the world have known for years.
Scenic Travel Canada is a website that helps travelers and nature-lovers to discover Canada. There are plenty of <a target="_new" href="http://www.scenictravelcanada.ca">outdoor adventures</A> that cater to people of all fitness levels. From hiking in the Rockies to walking the sandy shores in the Maritimes, you'll be amazed at the beautiful Canadian scenery that awaits.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Un-Canadian-Sport-of-Backpacking&id=6598866] The Un-Canadian Sport of Backpacking