Glacier

Glacier National Park is in the Columbia Mountains, 64 km east of Revelstoke in British Columbia. It was established in 1886. Aptly named, with more than 400 glaciers in its 1,350 km2, its ice-covered peaks, sheer mountain walls and narrow valleys made it a no-man's-land for many years. It was an area avoided by Indians and early explorers. However, the construction of the transcontinental railway in the 1880's and the Trans-Canada Highway much later in 1962 made it accessible, and it has become a favourite climbing area for experienced mountaineers. This park is characterized by its wintry weather. Because of heavy snowfalls, which sometimes exceed 13 metres, it requires exacting avalanche forecasting and control. At times in winter the highway is closed while artillery gunners trigger avalanches to stabilize threatening buildups of snow. The park is also famous for its wildlife, particularly bears, as avalanche slopes provide and excellent forage for both black bear and grizzlies. In the summer, visitors can enjoy 140 km of hiking trails and observe the dense Columbia rain forest with its common bird species like the grey jay, pine siskin, and mountain chickadee; attractive flora such as mountain heather, alpine anemone, and glacier lily; or animals like the hoary marmot, mountain goat, and caribou. This new stamp featuring Glacier National Park is an addition to the series of high value definitive stamps on national parks that began with Fundy and Kluane in 1979 and continued with Waterton Lakes in 1982 and Point Pelee in 1983. The illustration is by artist Brent Laycock, a native of Calgary, who is noted for his paintings and serigraphs of western scenes. Typography is by William Tibbles of Toronto.