THE BRYOLOGIST 
VOL. XVIII 
July, 1915 
No. 4 
RAMBLES IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES 
II.— BANFF 
A. H. Brinkman 
^ Banff and its surroundings have one great advantage — they are very acces- 
sible. To those who are not keen on camping, a town with numerous hotels, 
situated in the midst of fine scenery and good collecting and as yet nearly un- 
spoiled by so-called civilization, should make a strong appeal. It is a satisfac- 
tion, after all, when returning from the day’s excursion to find close at hand 
meals and other comforts not obtainable in camp. 
While ten minutes’ walk in any direction will take the botanist to good col- 
lecting grounds, perhaps the best start is made by a trip to the hot springs and 
thence to the observatory on Sulfur Mountain, since this furnishes a good idea 
of the “lay out” of the country. From the observatory typical main valleys 
may be seen in the Spray Valley to the east and the Sundance to the west, neither 
of them rising more than a thousand feet in fifteen miles. Rundle Mountain is 
opposite to the east, not difficult for a careful climber, being really much weather- 
worn and broken, though appearing from below to be a smooth, sloping, table 
of rock. By those wishing for the climb the watercourse that can be seen be- 
tween the shoulder and the main mass should be noted carefully, since it fur- 
nishes a practicable route from the lower wooded slope to the main peak and 
abounds in interesting plants. From Sulfur Mountain it is possible to map out 
routes for a day or a two-day excursion, and to plan shorter trips in the woods 
along the Spray River or along its numerous mountain tributaries. 
The trail from the hot springs to the observatory is good, so that there should 
be no difficulty in climbing to the latter. About midway up the mountain-side 
a short branch trail leads to a streamlet to the south, which should be carefully 
noted since it forms an excellent one-day excursion if followed from its source to 
the Spray River. There are good possibilities for collecting along the main trail 
also; Clevea hyalina grows in small patches close at hand, and Sauteria alpina 
has been found on the mountain. Once at the top and future excursions planned, 
it is possible, after the wonderful scenery on all sides has been fully enjoyed, to 
follow along the ridge north and so down the northwest slopes to the trail lead- 
ing to Banff. On the bare ground are patches of Leskea tectorum; Campylium 
Halleri , Grimmia anodon, Gymnostomum rupestre, and Encalypta rhabdocarpa oc- 
cur on rocks lower down; Meesia Irichodes and Fissidens grandifrons are found 
near the Upper sulfur spring and, on the north side of the river path when near- 
The May number of The Bryologist was published June 15. 1915. 
