Bluerock Provincial Park, located in the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rockies to the south of Canmore is the very best place to backpack in June. With a network of interlacing trails spanning montane forests, valley meadows and alpine ridges it is an ideal and beautiful area that utterly captures the essence of the Rockies. This backpacking trip is ideal for beginners and those preferring a more relaxed itinerary.
Phone: 403.678.4164 — 1.866.678.4164
Bluerock Country
This itinerary is intended as a sample only though it does follow one of the best routes in the area. Because this compact region has many trail options and because we are free to camp where we like we can be flexible and vary our route in search of new vistas and ridges to hike.
Day 1: Bluerock to Gorge Creek
At 8.00am we meet at the Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office in Canmore. We'll go over the trip with you and check to see that you are properly outfitted. Once packed we drive for an hour and a half south to the trailhead which is on the Sheep River Valley west of Turner Valley.
We hike up Bluerock Creek for 2 km before heading up onto the forested terraces above the creek. Gradually climbing we end up on a ridge with great views over the foothills and out to the distant prairies beyond. To the west we are hard against the rock walls of Bluerock Mountain. From here a descending traverse leads us all the way to Gorge Creek. It's beautiful hiking terrain where montane coniferous forest is interspersed with open meadows. Camping in Gorge Creek is delight. We can choose our own campsite among the wildflowers of the valley-bottom meadows. Distance 9.4km. Elevation gain 440m, loss 300m.
Day 2: Gorge Creek to Volcano Creek via Surveyors Ridge
From Gorge Creek we can climb through open forest to the ridge tops by Mount Ware. From here excellent ridge hiking leads us along and onto Surveyors Ridge with its non stop views in all directions. Staying on the tops we head north until we can drop into the headwaters of Volcano Creek to camp. Distance approx. 11km. Elevation gain 500m, loss 500m.
Day 3: Volcano Creek to South Gorge Creek.
We now loop back to the south to bring us back towards Gorge. En-route if we're feeling energetic we can detour to travel along Volcano Ridge with more spectacular views. We will have lots of choice in find another campsite once we feel we've travelled enough. Distance approx. 10km. Elevation gain 400m, loss 400m.
Day 4: South Gorge Trail to Indian Oils Trailhead
Several trails lead us back south through forest interrupted by occasional meadows. We reach the Sheep Valley followed by a short walk back to our van. We then return to Canmore. Distance approx. 10km. Elevation gain approx. 300m., loss 300m.
Meeting Place and Time
We will meet you at our Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office at 8.00am the morning of Day 1.
Our office is located at 200, 50 Lincoln Park, Canmore. See this map for location.
For your greater convenience we offer a pre-meeting shuttle service within Canmore. Please let us know in advance where you will be staying if needing this service. Pickup will occur between 7.40 and 7.50am.
Please ensure that you have your hiking equipment with you.
Accommodation and Meals
On the trail you will be staying in modern, lightweight 2- and 1-person weather-proof tents.
Accommodation in Canmore is not included. For your convenience we can arrange hotel accommodations in Canmore for $160 per night. These will be at the recommended Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn. Double or single occupancy, the cost is the same. This accommodation can be booked with the trip online or by calling us. Subject to availability.
You can also make your own arrangements. Check our links page for a range of Canmore accommodations.
Excess luggage can be left at your hotel or our office.
We supply all meals and trail snacks from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4. Groups generally go out for dinner in Canmore with the guide on the final evening (own cost).
Trail cuisine is constructed from lightweight ingredients including our Yamnuska custom-made dehydrated dinners. Please specify any special dietary requirements you have on booking so we can incorporate them into our menus. In case of more complicated diets a surcharge may apply.
Guides and Group Size
Yamnuska Mountain Adventure guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. Our professional guides have extensive experience in the Canadian Rockies. Guides also have advanced wilderness first aid training and heritage interpretation accreditation. Guides carry emergency equipment including a first aid kit, bear spray and radio.
There will be a maximum of eight guests and a minimum of four.
Getting to Canmore and Transportation
Canmore is situated 100km (65 miles) west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is well served by scheduled bus lines both from Calgary (airport and downtown), Banff (20km west) and points further west. Calgary International Airport is well connected to major cities throughout North America and Europe. Once in Canmore we will supply all transport needed for the trip.
Frequent shuttles connect Calgary International Airport and Canmore. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Call 609 8790, 609 0300, 609 1490 or 609 8505 for taxis in Canmore.
Clothing and Equipment
We supply group camping and cooking equipment plus a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring personal equipment (backpack, sleeping bag etc) and clothing. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures does have rental and retail equipment such as sleeping bags, mats, and backpacks. Rental Gear List. Contact us in advance to reserve.
What you bring will have a big impact on the quality of your experience, we especially urge you to read our notes on lightweight gear and clothing.
Please download the list below and make sure that you will have the items listed.
Clothing and Equipment List (pdf)
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Fishing
The fishing opportunities on this trip are very limited to non-existent and we do not recommend bringing fishing gear.
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A 35% deposit CDN (including GST) is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight weeks before the start of the trip.
For detailed Booking Instructions and Conditions, click here.
Please note that you will be required to sign our waiver before commencing the trip. Click here for waiver copy.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need to know anything else about this hike.
There is no charge for rescue so long as you have a valid National Park Entry Pass (included in cost). However, it is wise to ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident while here.
Yamnuska offers a "Visitors to Canada Plan and Gold Trip Cancellation and Interruption Plan" through Travel Guard insurance. These plans offer comprehensive coverage for all your travel needs including trip cancellation/interruption, emergency medical expenses, and personal effects loss. For more information and to purchase this coverage visit Travel Guard's website.
