The Canadian Rocky Mountains or the Canadian Rockies, as they are commonly known, are distinct from the Rocky Mountains of the United States.  Although these two very famous mountain ranges share a common border, their geological foundations are distinct from each other.

Geologists agree that the Canadian Rockies were formed through a phenomenon known as over thrusting.  The resulting rock and soil condition is sedimentation, as the thrusting causes the land mass to go “belly up”. 

On the other hand, the American Rockies are made for the most part of hard granite, and has not been subject to as much exposure to glaciers as their Canadian counterpart.

You will also find that the American Rockies have mostly rounded tips but sharp valleys, while the opposite is true for the Canadian Rockies—again, due to extensive glacier formation in the north.

In 1984, all the mountains and parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains were declared by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site.  You will find these markings as you visit the Banff and the Jasper national parks.  You will feel some relief, as these parks are likely to be enjoyed by future generations.  In nature, though, nothing is guaranteed! 

If you live in Canada and you have not personally seen the Canadian Rockies, then you have not lived at all.  No doubt, you would have seen pictures of the entire spectacle that the mountains have to offer, but there is nothing like seeing things with your own eyes. For example, it takes human eyes to notice how the mountains in the Banff region are bright brown and green; and upon crossing the Jasper region, there is that creepy feeling in your spine that the mountains have somehow become enchanted, throwing off a dark blue landscape.

The Rocky Mountains are yet another national treasure that is shared by two nations, Canada and the United States.  The other shared spectacle is in the east of the continent, known as Niagara Falls near the Eastern Seaboard.  This certainly makes the Rockies the main show, so-to-speak, in the Western Seaboard of the continent.

Backpacking tourists from Europe and Asia usually fly to the city of Vancouver in Canada to start their journey of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.  They usually stay in any of the backpacker hostels found along Main Street, between historic China Town and the Pacific Railway Station where Greyhound buses terminate.

In summer, these hostels are often packed, so backpackers usually head off to an international hostel along Granville Street in downtown Vancouver. They can also go to yet another popular hostel near the city’s famed Jericho Beach.

These small hostels usually offer package tours to the Canadian Rockies, making the sight seeing very convenient.  A popular backpacker destination is Mount Robson, which is the Canadian Rockies' highest peak at 3,954 meters.  The mountain is also home to a lovely park at its foot.  

Only experienced mountain climbers should attempt to climb Mount Robson, because of its peculiar shape and height.  While this mountain is located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the second highest peak of the Rockies is found in the province of Alberta.  It is known as Mount Columbia, the highest point in Alberta, and considered the most treacherous of all Canadian Rocky Mountains as far as mountain climbing goes.