Rogers Pass, Glacier National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Three days after rainy Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park (Canada) was just as rainy. I basically just drove through on the Trans-Canadian Highway through Rogers Pass. Again, pretty but not photogenic.

One cool thing was that the highway is roofed in places to protect drivers from avalanches!

BTW, I technically went through Mount Revelstoke National Park after this, but as I could see even less – nothing but the road in front of me, really – I didn't take photos and don't even count it as a visit.

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Narao Peak, Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada

I didn't get to see much of Narao Peak at the Continental Divide or the rest of Yoho National Park, thanks to early autumn rains. It was pretty but not photogenic.

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Rundle Mountain, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

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“I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains, and then find somewhere where I can rest. In peace and quiet, without a lot of relatives prying around, and a string of confounded visitors hanging on the bell. I might find somewhere where I can finish my book. I have thought of a nice ending for it: and he lived happily ever after to the end of his days.” – Bilbo Baggins in "The Fellowship of the Ring" by JRR Tolkien

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Kootenay River, Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada

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Why is the Kootenay River so blue? I don't have a definitive answer, but it seems to be three factors, typical of rivers in the high Canadian Rockies.

1. There is little sediment or chemical leaching from the hard Precambrian rocks that comprise the Canadian Rockies
2. The water hasn't filtered through much forest on its way off the peaks, therefore gaining little sediment or dissolved tannins
3. Colloidal calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the water has optical properties that enhance the tendency of deeper water to reflect a blue / cyan / turquoise color.

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