Needed: Info on trekking in the Cabadian Rockies
Mar 24th, 2007, 02:11 PM
#2
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The best hiking book in English is The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson. This book will tell you more than you want to know in great detail.
It covers Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks and the associated areas such as Mount Assiniboine, Peter Lougheed, and several other areas that border on the 4 national parks.
With it, you can plan a hike of more than a week, or as short as a day.
The book was/is in its 7th edition last time I bought one.
I am assuming you mean the Canadian Rockies and typed a b rather than an n.
It covers Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks and the associated areas such as Mount Assiniboine, Peter Lougheed, and several other areas that border on the 4 national parks.
With it, you can plan a hike of more than a week, or as short as a day.
The book was/is in its 7th edition last time I bought one.
I am assuming you mean the Canadian Rockies and typed a b rather than an n.
Mar 27th, 2007, 12:18 PM
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Last summer, my friend and her husband, who are SERIOUS hikers, and have hiked EXTENSIVELY in the Canadian Rockies, on Vancouver Island, etc., spent a week doing the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park, which is just to the west of Jasper National Park.
It may be a little too long for you, in that I understand it takes 2 days to hike in and 2 days to hike out. Once you set up your base camp, there also are a number of day hikes that you can do, which is what my friend and her husband did.
Anyway, Berg Lake apparently is a brilliant green colour and at one end it has a glacier that is continually calving (that is, there are huge chunks of ice breaking off the end of the glacier and floating into the stunning green lake).
My friend said it was the most beautiful hiking route she had ever been on.
Something that you need to be aware of is that they allow only so many people to be on the Berg Lake Trail at any given time, and you have to book in advance.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is another one that is popular with multi-day hikers.
But there are many, many other multi-day hikes that one could mention.
Really you ought to get hold of that book that Bob Brown recommended to you.
In addition to that, you will find a larger concentration of people who are knowledgeabe about trekking if you go the the Club Tread forum, which is dedicated to hiking / trekking in Washington State, British Columbia and Alberta:
http://www.clubtread.com/
Hope that helps.
It may be a little too long for you, in that I understand it takes 2 days to hike in and 2 days to hike out. Once you set up your base camp, there also are a number of day hikes that you can do, which is what my friend and her husband did.
Anyway, Berg Lake apparently is a brilliant green colour and at one end it has a glacier that is continually calving (that is, there are huge chunks of ice breaking off the end of the glacier and floating into the stunning green lake).
My friend said it was the most beautiful hiking route she had ever been on.
Something that you need to be aware of is that they allow only so many people to be on the Berg Lake Trail at any given time, and you have to book in advance.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is another one that is popular with multi-day hikers.
But there are many, many other multi-day hikes that one could mention.
Really you ought to get hold of that book that Bob Brown recommended to you.
In addition to that, you will find a larger concentration of people who are knowledgeabe about trekking if you go the the Club Tread forum, which is dedicated to hiking / trekking in Washington State, British Columbia and Alberta:
http://www.clubtread.com/
Hope that helps.
Mar 27th, 2007, 03:26 PM
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As Judy said, there are dozens. Berg Lake is a classic, but it may now require a permit because it is so popular.
If you get the book I suggested, it will give you more ideas than you can imagine.
I am not kidding when I say there are dozens of options.
I suggest looking at the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park.
If you really want a long one, the North Boundary Trail is 115 miles (180K). That would hold you for more than 5 days unless you are a real speed demon or a strong man who can hike 12 hours a day with a full pack.
If you get the book I suggested, it will give you more ideas than you can imagine.
I am not kidding when I say there are dozens of options.
I suggest looking at the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park.
If you really want a long one, the North Boundary Trail is 115 miles (180K). That would hold you for more than 5 days unless you are a real speed demon or a strong man who can hike 12 hours a day with a full pack.
Mar 27th, 2007, 03:30 PM
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There are fees for Berg Lake, and a reservation is required.
The hike in and out takes a day each way.
There are campgrounds along the trail; the lake area itself is very crowded in peak summer season.
The hike in and out takes a day each way.
There are campgrounds along the trail; the lake area itself is very crowded in peak summer season.
Mar 27th, 2007, 04:57 PM
#7
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My favourite book for hikes is "Classic Hikes In The Canadian Rockies: An Altitude SuperGuide" by Graeme Pole. Good descriptions and great pictures plus lots of extras on wildlife and plants.
I did the Rockwall this past summer (as suggested by bob_brown). There are fees for that (and any back country trail in a national park). Also, reservations are strongly recommended for it.
I've also done the Skyline in Jasper. We did that in 3 days, but it can also be done in 4 at a more relaxed pace.
Also, Yoho has some nice trails that can be chained together into multi-day excursions. This is what we did:
Day One: Takakkaw Falls to Lauging Falls CG, set up camp, then an afternoon trek to the Yoho Glacier
Day Two: day trip to Twin Falls
Day Three: Hike to Little Yoho CG
Day Four: Iceline trail back to Takakkaw
The possibilities are endless....
I did the Rockwall this past summer (as suggested by bob_brown). There are fees for that (and any back country trail in a national park). Also, reservations are strongly recommended for it.
I've also done the Skyline in Jasper. We did that in 3 days, but it can also be done in 4 at a more relaxed pace.
Also, Yoho has some nice trails that can be chained together into multi-day excursions. This is what we did:
Day One: Takakkaw Falls to Lauging Falls CG, set up camp, then an afternoon trek to the Yoho Glacier
Day Two: day trip to Twin Falls
Day Three: Hike to Little Yoho CG
Day Four: Iceline trail back to Takakkaw
The possibilities are endless....
Mar 27th, 2007, 08:26 PM
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Did you mix in the Whaleback as well?
That is the best of the shorter Yoho trails.
We got up to Waterfall Valley, which is not on a marked trail That is a highlight to exceed other highlights. Just you and the wilderness, plus a few deer, and the tilted spire of Mount de Poilus and the glacier. Nothing beats it.
That is the best of the shorter Yoho trails.
We got up to Waterfall Valley, which is not on a marked trail That is a highlight to exceed other highlights. Just you and the wilderness, plus a few deer, and the tilted spire of Mount de Poilus and the glacier. Nothing beats it.
Mar 27th, 2007, 11:17 PM
#9
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Thamk you all for the superb info!
(i shall get the "bible"'s new april edition as the book i have - Frommer's Banff & Jasper National Parks - is superficial)
Judy_in_Calgary: "<i>Hope that helps.</i>" - very much so
- i've seen calving both in Alaska & Patagonia and it can be 'rated' very highly on the lifetime scale.
& longer trips are an option
bob_brown: "<i> i am not kidding when I say there are dozens of options.</i>" - yes. i've done the more touristic "scanning"-trip and i could see the potential...
ShelliDawn - thanks for your 1st hand report
<font color="blue"> i would love to get some trip reports links if available
thanX again
aby
</font>
(i shall get the "bible"'s new april edition as the book i have - Frommer's Banff & Jasper National Parks - is superficial)
Judy_in_Calgary: "<i>Hope that helps.</i>" - very much so
- i've seen calving both in Alaska & Patagonia and it can be 'rated' very highly on the lifetime scale.
& longer trips are an option
bob_brown: "<i> i am not kidding when I say there are dozens of options.</i>" - yes. i've done the more touristic "scanning"-trip and i could see the potential...
ShelliDawn - thanks for your 1st hand report
<font color="blue"> i would love to get some trip reports links if available
thanX again
aby
</font>
Mar 28th, 2007, 02:14 PM
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Hi Aby,
I don't have any trip reports, but if you want to see my pictures from the Rockwall last year, here's a link to my flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shellid...7594231274076/
I don't have any trip reports, but if you want to see my pictures from the Rockwall last year, here's a link to my flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shellid...7594231274076/
Mar 28th, 2007, 08:27 PM
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Don't forget about the Canadian Alpine Huts. There are several of them scattered about at various key locations.
The Stanley Mitchell Hut on the upper part of the Little Yoho Valley would be a good place for a 2 or 3 day stopover.
You could begin by starting at the Whiskey Jack Hostel in Yoho and walk the Iceline Trauil to the hut. If you had any energy left, continue on to Kwietenok Pass and return to the hut over night. The next day, walk down to the base of the Whaleback Trail, climb the side of the valley and enjoy one of the most spectacular trails anywhere.
Continue on to Twin Falls where the creek plunges over the brink. Then continue up to Waterfall Valley on the north side of the creek. Just follow the stream uphill.
Return the same way you came, or descend the to Twin Falls Chalet and spend the night at the campground in the valley. from there back to the parking lot is about 5 miles or so.
You could do two nights at the hut and not carry a tent, or one and one if you have a tent. I don't recommend sleeping under the stars unless you have a big tarp you can use for emergency shelter.
A combination of the Iceline, with the Kwietenok extension, and the Whaleback with the Waterfall Valley extension would be the best hiking experience I can possibly imagine.
Another option would be to go to the campground at Lake O'Hara, if you can get a reservaton, or stay at the Elizabeth Parker hut at O'Hara, again if you can get in.
From Lake O'Hara you can take any one of numerous alpine excusions.
One I recommend is the trail to Opabin Lake, a scramble across the Yukness Ledge to Lake Oesa, and a descent to O"Hara itself.
Or you can take the Wiwaxy Alpine or the All Souls Alpine routes.
The highline trail to Lake McArthur with an extension to the Odaray Prospect is another one.
You could spend a good 3 days in that area on the alpine routes and the other trails. The scenery cannot be beaten!!
We could go on with this for several more paragraphs. That is why I say, get the book, learn where the campgrounds are, apply soon for your permits and reservations, collect your equipment, and get ready.
For many of these you will need a sleeping bag and a foam pad.
My standard gear includes a PolarFleece pullover, a sweater, rain gear, boots and socks. If you are tenting it, then you need a ground cloth and a good tent.
I also have a small backpacking stove for boiling water and heating some food, but my backpacking days are over although my hiking days are not.
The Stanley Mitchell Hut on the upper part of the Little Yoho Valley would be a good place for a 2 or 3 day stopover.
You could begin by starting at the Whiskey Jack Hostel in Yoho and walk the Iceline Trauil to the hut. If you had any energy left, continue on to Kwietenok Pass and return to the hut over night. The next day, walk down to the base of the Whaleback Trail, climb the side of the valley and enjoy one of the most spectacular trails anywhere.
Continue on to Twin Falls where the creek plunges over the brink. Then continue up to Waterfall Valley on the north side of the creek. Just follow the stream uphill.
Return the same way you came, or descend the to Twin Falls Chalet and spend the night at the campground in the valley. from there back to the parking lot is about 5 miles or so.
You could do two nights at the hut and not carry a tent, or one and one if you have a tent. I don't recommend sleeping under the stars unless you have a big tarp you can use for emergency shelter.
A combination of the Iceline, with the Kwietenok extension, and the Whaleback with the Waterfall Valley extension would be the best hiking experience I can possibly imagine.
Another option would be to go to the campground at Lake O'Hara, if you can get a reservaton, or stay at the Elizabeth Parker hut at O'Hara, again if you can get in.
From Lake O'Hara you can take any one of numerous alpine excusions.
One I recommend is the trail to Opabin Lake, a scramble across the Yukness Ledge to Lake Oesa, and a descent to O"Hara itself.
Or you can take the Wiwaxy Alpine or the All Souls Alpine routes.
The highline trail to Lake McArthur with an extension to the Odaray Prospect is another one.
You could spend a good 3 days in that area on the alpine routes and the other trails. The scenery cannot be beaten!!
We could go on with this for several more paragraphs. That is why I say, get the book, learn where the campgrounds are, apply soon for your permits and reservations, collect your equipment, and get ready.
For many of these you will need a sleeping bag and a foam pad.
My standard gear includes a PolarFleece pullover, a sweater, rain gear, boots and socks. If you are tenting it, then you need a ground cloth and a good tent.
I also have a small backpacking stove for boiling water and heating some food, but my backpacking days are over although my hiking days are not.
