Reccomendations for multi-day hike in The Rockies

British Columbia Region

Created: 7 years ago

Hi there

I'm from South African and been in Vancouver for 2 years. I've done some exploring around BC but have never been to The Rockies. I have my Dad and Sister vising and want to organize a cool hike of 3-5 days in the mountains. Either adventuring around a base camp or a point to point. They have a lot of experience doing long hikes and scrambles (around the difficulty of West Lion).

I'm looking for something beautiful and slightly off the beaten track where we won't be surround by hundreds of people all the time. Presumably this exists :)

I'd also consider places where you organize a heli-drop in if that unlocks some really cool terrain.

Does anyone have any suggestions for us?

Thanks!

Daniel

@LisaP - 1 Post

Created: 7 years ago

Hi Daniel,

I'm not sure about how popular it is these days, but a really great trail is the Rockwall trail in Kootenay National Park. It's a one-way, 55 km trail through some epic mountain scenery. Here's the official information about it - https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/activ/arrierepays-backcountry

Lisa

@DanielBauman - 22 Posts

Created: 7 years ago

Thanks Lisa. That looks awesome!

I'm going to try book that.

@Fenton - 11 Posts

Created: 6 years ago

Hi Daniel,

Not all of these are in the Rockies however they are in and around the province (similar drive times to the Rockies).

Berg Lake Trail- Mount Robson

Sunshine Valley Route to Mount Assinaboine

Skyline Trail- Jasper

Rockwall- Kooneys

Cathedral Provincial Park- Number of good trails

Glacier Provincial Park- Abbott Ridge Trail or Glacier Crest (Dont confuse with the American Park)

Lots to explore out there!

@DianaDiaconu - 22 Posts

Created: 6 years ago

Hi Daniel,

For any of the places in the National Parks make sure you book the campsites now or as soon as possible, eg Rockwall, Sunshine.

The Rockwall trail was closed for a while last summer because of the nearby wildfires. Make sure you check the fire situation. The nearby Whistling Valley (see trip 2) was away from the fire threat but visibility was low because of the widespread smoke.

A very scenic trip, also very popular but with the advantage of being a loop and not having to shuttle vehicles is the Skoki Valley loop. It's probably my favourite.

1. Skoki Valley loop:

Maps: Lake Louise 82N/8, Hector Lake 82N/9, Gem trek Lake Louise & Yoho

Fish Creek Parking Trailhead Parking Area (from Trans-Canada Hwy follow directions to Lake Louise Ski Area) - Boulder Pass - Ptarmigan Lake - Baker Lake (campground) - Skoki Lodge - Merlin Meadows (campground) then back over Packers Pass (much nicer than Deception Pass) past Myosotis Lake (very good/obvious trail from the Skoki Lodge, though not marked on the maps) - Ptarmigan Lake - Boulder Pass - Fish Creek Parking Lot

Merlin and Myosotis Lakes are superb.

Campgrounds at Baker Lake, Merlin Meadows and Hidden Lake. The short hike to Hidden Lake is nice and offers wandering/scrambling opportunities. The hike/ loop to Merlin Lake from Merlin Meadows campground is a highlight with lots of wandering terrain above Merlin Lake. You can easily spend a day doing that.

2. Sunshine/Highline This can be done in either direction, but requires more logistics because it's not a loop. I've done it both ways and loved it. The best part is between Shadow Lake and Sunshine.

Maps: Mt GoodSir 82 N/1, Banff 82 O/4, Gem Trek Banff & Assiniboine, Gem Trek Kootenay

Sunshine Village Day Lodge - Healy Pass - Egypt Lakes (campground) - Whistling Pass - Ball Pass Jction(Campground) - Shadow Lake (& Campground) - Gibson Pass - Twin Lakes (Campground) - Arnica Lake - Vista Lake ViewPoint(Hwy 93).

Ball Pass Junction is another entry/exit point.

Great side trip to Scarab Lake from the Egypt Lakes campground.

Both areas are extremely popular/busy and require backcountry campground reservation.

Cheers,

Diana