The Canadian Southern Rockies, impressive as they are, are not the highest mountain range in Canada. Nor do they contain the highest individual mountain in Canada; that distinction belongs to Mount Logan in the Saint Elias mountain range in the Yukon which, with an elevation of 5,956 metres, is the highest in Canada and the second highest in North America.
Mount Robson, lying within the Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia is the highest of the Rockies' peaks (3,954 metres). Nonetheless, the Canadian Rockies are a mighty and majestic experience and, arguably, the Rockwall offers one the best hiking experiences in the southern section.
After initially climbing up through thick spruce and pine forest, latterly beautiful golden larches, and then crossing over sub-alpine meadows, as the views open up in the mountain passes the first views of the Rockwall in the distance are awe-inspiring. Even from a distance, partial views of the soaring wall, with its snow covered peaks shining in the late afternoon sunshine, are simply stunning. On the way up, walking along the banks of the Ochre and Hatter creeks, the waters have that distinctive turquoise shade that is to be found in glacial waters. There are a number of glaciers in this area, though sadly in retreat as elsewhere in the frozen world. The higher you climb, the more isolated the trail and the more accessible is the experience of solitude.
Walking in a group it is easy to lose that feeling of solitude and the opportunity to bask in the peculiar 'quiet' atmosphere of the high country. I like to take up the tail-end Charlie position where, as well as the opportunity to control the pace, you can also drop back far enough to escape the inevitable 'chatter' of the main group, opening up access to the soundscape of the surrounding wilderness. Here, the imagination can run riot listening to the rustle of creatures in the undergrowth, the high-pitched squeals of small mammals in the trees and on the ground (primarily chipmunks and various types of squirrel), enjoy the enchantment of the wind moving through the upper levels of the trees, feel the numbing cold on your cheeks, or listen to the tumble of the glacial waters as they rumble down the moutain side, often in high cascades.
Once we reached the Rockwall, while ever wary of the appearance of bears, I enjoyed dropping off from the main group, stopping, standing still and letting myself become immersed in the temple-like silence that the Rockwall exudes. On stopping, I would try to empty the mind. With the eyes closed the experience of stillness and silence are like a hand in a glove and, in that infinitesimal moment of stopping the body and the mind then do you touch the true nature of the place.
The route has a number of natural amphitheatres, wide open alpine meadows surrounded on all sides by soaring mountain peaks, possessed of a cathedral-like spiritual quality wherein one is tempted to adoration. Standing with your eyes closed, cutting off visual stimulation which tends to dominate the other senses, there is a beautiful, primeval silence that emanates from the face of the cliff. Stand still and quiet long enough and a gentle and enchanting thrum sings out from the rockface, a song as old as time itself, inviting you to reach out and touch the rock and to become one with it.
Mount Robson, lying within the Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia is the highest of the Rockies' peaks (3,954 metres). Nonetheless, the Canadian Rockies are a mighty and majestic experience and, arguably, the Rockwall offers one the best hiking experiences in the southern section.
After initially climbing up through thick spruce and pine forest, latterly beautiful golden larches, and then crossing over sub-alpine meadows, as the views open up in the mountain passes the first views of the Rockwall in the distance are awe-inspiring. Even from a distance, partial views of the soaring wall, with its snow covered peaks shining in the late afternoon sunshine, are simply stunning. On the way up, walking along the banks of the Ochre and Hatter creeks, the waters have that distinctive turquoise shade that is to be found in glacial waters. There are a number of glaciers in this area, though sadly in retreat as elsewhere in the frozen world. The higher you climb, the more isolated the trail and the more accessible is the experience of solitude.
Walking in a group it is easy to lose that feeling of solitude and the opportunity to bask in the peculiar 'quiet' atmosphere of the high country. I like to take up the tail-end Charlie position where, as well as the opportunity to control the pace, you can also drop back far enough to escape the inevitable 'chatter' of the main group, opening up access to the soundscape of the surrounding wilderness. Here, the imagination can run riot listening to the rustle of creatures in the undergrowth, the high-pitched squeals of small mammals in the trees and on the ground (primarily chipmunks and various types of squirrel), enjoy the enchantment of the wind moving through the upper levels of the trees, feel the numbing cold on your cheeks, or listen to the tumble of the glacial waters as they rumble down the moutain side, often in high cascades.
Once we reached the Rockwall, while ever wary of the appearance of bears, I enjoyed dropping off from the main group, stopping, standing still and letting myself become immersed in the temple-like silence that the Rockwall exudes. On stopping, I would try to empty the mind. With the eyes closed the experience of stillness and silence are like a hand in a glove and, in that infinitesimal moment of stopping the body and the mind then do you touch the true nature of the place.
The route has a number of natural amphitheatres, wide open alpine meadows surrounded on all sides by soaring mountain peaks, possessed of a cathedral-like spiritual quality wherein one is tempted to adoration. Standing with your eyes closed, cutting off visual stimulation which tends to dominate the other senses, there is a beautiful, primeval silence that emanates from the face of the cliff. Stand still and quiet long enough and a gentle and enchanting thrum sings out from the rockface, a song as old as time itself, inviting you to reach out and touch the rock and to become one with it.