Andrews, D. Larraine. The Cowboy Trail. Edmonton: Blue Couch Books, 2006. This book explores the route north through the Alberta foothills from the U.S. border in the south to Highway 16 in the north. Includes detailed information on everything from ranch vacations to toponymy.

Backroad Mapbooks. Vancouver: Mussio Ventures. This western Canada atlas series is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with detailed maps, and highlights such as campgrounds, fishing spots, and swimming holes. www.backroadmapbooks.com.

Gem Trek Publishing. Victoria, British Columbia. This company produces tear-proof maps for all regions of the Canadian Rockies. Relief shading clearly and concisely shows elevation, and all hiking trails have been plotted using GPS. On the back of each map are descriptions of attractions and hikes, along with general practical and educational information. www.gemtrek.com.

MapArt. Driving maps for all of Canada, including provinces and cities. Maps are published as old-fashioned fold-out versions, as well as laminated and in atlas form. www.mapart.com.

The Milepost. Bellevue, Washington: Vernon Publications. This annual publication is a must-have for those traveling through western Canada and Alaska. The maps and logged highway descriptions are incredibly detailed. Most northern bookstores stock The Milepost, or you can order it by calling 800/726-4707 or visiting the website www.milepost.com.

Patton, Brian. Parkways of the Canadian Rockies Banff: Summerthought Publishing, 2008. A comprehensive map and driving guide to Canadian Rockies’ highways. Includes color photography and details of many short hikes.