Yellowhead Route

Wilderness and wildlife are imperative to the Canadian Rockies experience. In this spirit, the pristine Yellowhead route follows the second and lowest pass through the Canadian Rockies. Scenic valleys, rolling plateaus, and snowy peaks are home to some of Western Canada’s most stunning wildlife and onboard the Rocky Mountaineer you will have the rare chance to see some of these majestic animals. Moose, elk, big horn sheep, black bear, eagle and osprey are known to make appearances as you travel through their wild habitat.

With an overnight stay in Kamloops at the junction of the mighty Fraser and the Thompson River, this two-day, all daylight journey, ensures that not a moment of the spectacular wilderness will be missed.

Highlights:

Fraser River – The mighty Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia and the 5th longest in all of Canada. The rushing waters carve through rock layers and carry sediment from the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Georgia Strait and the Pacific Ocean.  Heavy with sediment, the waters are a muddy brown to milky green. Named after Simon Fraser, who originally mistook the river to be the Columbia River, the Fraser produces more salmon than any other river system in the world.  It is estimated that 10 million salmon travel up the Fraser River to spawn each year and First Nations people continue to use traditional fishing methods along its shores.

Fraser Canyon – Marvel at the Fraser Canyon as you exit the Coast Mountains.  This deep canyon is a natural wonder that extends all the way to Hope, with steep sides soaring up to 600 metres (1980 feet) above the water.

Hell’s Gate - The thundering waters of the renowned tourist attraction, Hell’s Gate, are a fascinating sight.  Located at the most narrow and intimidating point in the Fraser River, as much as 909,218,000 litres (200 million) gallons of water surge through the 33.53 metre (110 foot) gorge each minute. 

Mount Robson – Soaring a majestic 3,956.5 metres (12,972 feet), this heavily glaciated peak is the highest of the Canadian Rockies.  Dropping into Berg Lake to the North and Kinney Lake to the South, this mountain is a towering giant compared to the snow tipped peaks that surround it.  Originally, this great mountain was named Yuh-hai-has-kun, meaning “The Mountain of the Spiral Road” by the aboriginal people in the area. 

Pyramid Falls - As you pass the magnificent Pyramid Falls, cascading 91.5 metres (300 feet) beside the train tracks, the train will slow down to allow you a close-up view of this spectacular site. When the wind is right, you might enjoy a misty spray from the falls.

Albreda Glacier – This is a great vantage point to observe the Albreda Glacier.  Glaciers are permanent snowfields formed in locations where snowfall exceeds snowmelt each year. The weight of the accumulated snow compresses the under layers into ice, which then melts, allowing the glacier to move downhill. The movement grinds rocks into a fine powder, which is deposited in the lakes and rivers below giving the water a beautiful turquoise blue color.

Jasper National Park - Traveling through Jasper National Park will allow you to explore one of the largest protected areas in the world, designated a Canadian Rocky Mountains Park World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1907.

Featured Vacations
	Classic Rail Circle	6 nights/7 days
	The ultimate all-rail journey through the dramatic and diverse scenery of Canada’s West. Your vacation includes travel on two of our new rail routes, the Rocky Mountaineer Fraser Discovery Route and the Whistler Mountaineer. Each night is spent in a hotel so you are fully refreshed to continue your rail journey the following day.
	Western Explorer	7 nights/8 days
	Our most popular vacation for more than a decade, and it is easy to see why! All of the must-see attractions of the Canadian Rockies are included in this eight-day itinerary.
	Canadian Rockies at Leisure	9 nights/10 days
	Take time to enjoy the best of the Canadian Rockies. This slower-paced tour, includes a relaxing two-night stay in each resort as well as two full days to be spent at your leisure.