Lake Louise - Banff National Park, Alberta Canada » trekking

Canadian Rockies Backpacking Near Lake Louise

Lake Louise — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:04:51 +0000

Backpacking Western Canada: Natural Alpine Beauty of the Mountains Firsthand

Want to spend more than an afternoon getting close to nature and enjoying the picturesque wilderness of Banff National Park and the surrounding areas elsewhere in Canadian Rockies? Then that means strapping a pack on your back with gear and food – backpacking, trekking, bushwalking and so forth.

It’s a great way to enjoy Western Canada. After a few days, even if you’re not in the best of physical shape, your muscles will firm up and you’ll enjoy the easy pace of a hike. At that point it’s easy to become absorbed in the beauty around you, especially here in the Canadian Rockies: alpine meadows carpeted in wildflowers, soaring peaks adorned with majestic waterfalls, and skies that seem to go on forever.

Of course there are innumerable trails criss-crossing Alberta and Western Canada, of all difficulty levels and lengths. You could go for an easy out-and-back over the weekend, or spend weeks in the backcountry of the Canadian Rockies, perhaps traversing the peaks of the Continental Divide.

Looking for a short backpacking opportunity right outside Banff town? Check out the Aylmer Pass trail at Lake Minnewanka for a spectacular backpacking trip just outside of town. Want something a little longer? Here’s several options for trips of three or four days.

Assiniboine Loop

This trip starts and finishes at the Mt. Shark trailhead in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, just ouside of Banff National Park. Travel through three connected wilderness areas for awesome views Mt. Assiniboine, the sixth highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the most impressive in the Banff area. There are some seasonal restrictions here, so check in with a ranger before going out.

Campsites: McBride’s Camp – Night 1; Lake Magog Campground or the BC Parks trail shelter, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park – Nights 2 and 3 (separate BC Parks campground fees will be collected on-site); Marvel Lake, or stay at the Bryant Creek trail shelter – Night 4.
Elevation gain: 545 m
Distance: 55 km

Bryant Creek

This trip takes you to the amazing Mt. Assiniboine with a great starting point at the Sunshine Village ski area that traverses the flowery (or muddy, depending the season) meadows of Citadel Pass. Hike the Sunshine Village ski area maintenance road or catch a ride on White Mountain Adventures private shuttle to the base village. The trip ends at the Mt. Shark trailhead in Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Check with a ranger for info on seasonal restrictions.

Campsites: Porcupine Campground, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park – Night 1; Lake Magog Campground, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park – Night 2 or 3 (where separate BC Parks campground fees will be collected on-site); McBride’s Camp – Night 3 or 4.
Elevation gain: 660 m
Distance: 55.7 km

Banff and Mount Assiniboine

Get into Banff’s backcountry with this series of trails connecting Sunshine Village ski area to the Vista Lake viewpoint on Highway 93 on foot or via a shuttle ride by White Mountain Adventures. On the way, explore the Egypt Lake area en route. After climbing over Gibbon Pass, the trail meanders past a series of scenic lakes before the final descent to the highway.

Campsites: Egypt Lake – Night 1; Ball Pass Junction – Night 2 and 3; Twin Lakes – Night 3 or 4.
Elevation gain: 1390 m
Distance: 40 km

If you want to join a guided backpacking group trip, there are a number of tour and guide companies that offer backpacking trips, often times packaged with pre-and post-trip options for accommodations and transportation. This is a great option of you’re not an experienced backpacker, or if you’re not familiar with Alberta or don’t have a lot of time to spare.

We can recommend Yamnuska Mountain Adventures for your guided backpacking excursion. Their licensed, experienced, professional guides can take you on short or long trips of varying difficulty throughout the year. Yamnuska can also arrange private, guided backpacking tours.

Want to strap on your pack and some skis and head out for a winter backpacking trip — say, some ski mountaineering or hut-to-hut traverses in the backcountry? Yamnuska can help you with that too.

For further information on guided tours in the Canadian Rockies, fill out the blue form on the right side of this page.

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Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

200 – 50 Lincoln Park
Canmore, Alberta, Canada

Private Guided Tours

Lake Louise — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:00:54 +0000

Tailor Your Backcountry Wilderness in Western Canada: Hire a Private Guide

There are many tour companies operating in the Canadian Rockies out of Banff, Canmore, and Jasper that offer group tours and packages for all manner of outdoor activities. Many companies also offer private guided tours for your outdoor experience in Alberta’s backcountry.

Most of the activities you see listed here – backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, ice climbing, mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, trekking, backpacking – can be done with a private guide. In fact many tour companies will tailor a trip for you or your group, so you can have a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience in Banff National Park or elsewhere in Western Canada. The pace of the activity, the degree of difficulty, and the level of service and comfort is customized to the needs and abilities of you and your group – it will be virtually impossible not to have fun!

We can recommend the guides at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures if you’re looking for a private guided tour in the outdoors of Western Canada. While Yamnuska specializes in mountaineering, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering and hut-to-hut traverses, as well as day-hikes and multi-day backpacking trips and trekking in the warmer months. Equipment rental, food — Yamnuska will even assist you with arranging local transportation.

But let them tell you in their own words: “We specialize in organizing and crafting wonderful hiking experiences. From the beginning we will work with you to plan the trip that best incorporates your needs and objectives. Once you are ‘out there’ you will be with our very professional guides whose mandate is your safety, enjoyment and education.” You can also ask the company for references.”

click here for

Yamnuska Mountain Adventures

200 – 50 Lincoln Park
Canmore, Alberta, Canada

Ready for an adventure vacation in the Canadian Rockies?

Lake Louise — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:44:16 +0000

Timberwolf Tours

Timberwolf Tours is your Canadian Rockies adventure vacation specialist.

Based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Timberwolf Tours is a well known and reliable outfitter for adventure and group travel. We specialize in hiking, canoeing and trekking guided tours.

Thanks to our experience we deliver a high level of service. From your first contact with us to our last fare-well, we strive to make you feel comfortable and your vacation a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Sightseeing Tours By Banff Adventure

Witness the glory while learning the history of the Canadian Rockies with sightseeing tours offered by Banff Adventure Unlimited. Trained and knowledgeable guides will lead you to UNESCO World Heritage sites, across glacial plains, or along spirited rivers.

Each package is designed to highlight some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the Canadian Rockies. Take in Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, or travel to the Columbia Icefields to trek across glacial fields. Guests can also choose packages that combine the beauty of both the mountains and lakes.

Each sightseeing tour highlights some of the best sights of Banff National Park on either full day or half day tours.

Website: Click Here!
Call Toll Free
888-659-3394

For further information on guided tours in the Canadian Rockies, fill out the blue form on the right side of this page.