History of Skyline Hikers
In the 1920's. John Gibbon was head of publicity for the Canadian
Pacific Railway, which had several hotels and lodges in the National Parks.
In order to lure tourists into the parks, Gibbon felt it necessary to
offer them something other than just food and lodging. The Skyline
Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies came into existence.
In the beginning...
There were a number of outdoor enthusiasts who either lived in Banff or came to the Rockies every summer, who felt the need for some organization which would do for hikers what the Trail Riders was doing so successfully for those who traveled the trail on horseback. Gibbon came up with the Sky Line Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies, which held its first outing in 1933.
For the first three summers, one four-day outing was offered to over 50 international hikers, who traveled between lodges in the parks. But the moving of camp materials on a daily basis was a problem, so starting in 1936, camps were set up at a single location each summer.
Changes
From 1933 to 1935, hikers traveled between lodges in the mountains. From 1936 to 1969,
hikers stayed in teepees, as shown on the left. By 1970, prospector style tents were
adopted by Skyline. For some time these were considered "six person" tents; they are
now more comfortably shared by up to four hikers.
The number of interested hikers has grown
throughout the years. In 1961, CPR terminated its sponsorship of the
Hiking Club. However, through the hard work of interested
individuals, the Skyline Hikers of the Canadian Rockies became a
non-profit organization that now offers five one-week camps each summer in
various locations in the Rockies.
