Glacier Views
Camping and Walking tour in the Canadian
Rockies
The proximity of glaciers to hiking trails and highways is one of the great opportunities of the Canadian Rockies. Join us on this camping and walking tour and explore the peaks and glaciers of Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks.
From
campsites in Lake Louise and Jasper, we will be traveling the length of the one of the world's most scenic highways, the famous 'Icefields Parkway'!
We will be hiking
each day amongst spectacular glacier scenery.
Evenings will be spent sharing stories around the campfire and resting
up for the next day's adventures. There will be lots of opportunities for sightseeing and visits to Lake Louise and Jasper.
Come in June, July and August to enjoy the wildflowers and summer temperatures or at the end of August and September to see fall colors and encounter fewer people.
We
are all locals, we live and play in these mountains and we will really
enjoy showing them to you!
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2008 Dates
June 23 - 27, July 7 - 11, July 21 - 25, August
18 - 22, September 8 - 12.
Private departures are also
available.
Cost
$1345 Canadian includes hiking guide,
4 nights camping accommodation, most meals, local transfers and
National Park Entry.
Not included: Gratuities &
5% Goods and Service Tax (GST)*. Cancellation insurance available for $72.
Optional pre and post trip
accommodation
packages are available from $80 per person per night for
shared room lodging ($160 for single occupancy). Purchase
with booking. Subject to availability.
* a 50% rebate of the GST is available to
non-residents of Canada.
Currency Exchange Calculator
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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 7.30am and 7.50am.
Please ensure that you are packed and ready to go!
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Program Itinerary
Day
1: Plain of Six Glaciers at Lake Louise
We meet at 8.00am sharp at our office. After checking that you
have everything you need we'll pack the van and head out. We travel
west to Lake Louise and the trailhead to the Plain of Six Glaciers. The trail takes us
along the shores of the Lake and onto the lateral moraine overlooking the lower Victoria Glacier. Towering above us
are two of the most climbed glaciated peaks in the Rockies, Victoria and Lefroy,
both over 3000m high. On our return we can detour to traverse the Beehive trail to Lake Agnes before dropping back down to Lake Louise.
We then set up camp in Lake Louise for the next two nights. Distance walked 16km, elevation gain
600m.
Hiking
above the Plain of Six Glaciers, Mt. Victoria behind. David Jamieson
photo.
Day
2: Iceline Trail, Yoho National Park
After breakfast we drive over Kicking Horse Pass 30km west to
spectacular Takakkaw Falls. From here starts one of the most
spectacular hikes in the Rockies .. The Iceline
Trail. Heading up the valley
through the forest we may at first despair that we'll never
get up high but inexorably we do, heading into the upper reaches of
the Little Yoho Valley where suddenly the peaks seem much closer. The
highlight of this hike is the ensuing section on which we travel over
the moraines right next to the glaciers that form on the peaks right
above us. The finale is the long descent back to the main valley with
the mighty Takakkaw Falls cleaving the cliffs on the far side. We then
return to our camp at Lake Louise. Distance 15km. Elevation gain
690m.
Panorama from the Iceline Trail, Yoho National Park.
Janet Jamieson photo.
Day 3: Hike to
Wilcox Pass, camp at Jasper
We get to drive along one of the most spectacular mountain roads
in the world today ... The Icefields Parkway! Connecting Lake Louise
to Jasper, this 225km road follows the valleys that closely
parallel the Continental Divide and the most glaciated regions of the
Canadian Rockies.
At the halfway point
the highway rises to skirt the massive Columbia Icefields and the
Saskatchewan and Athabasca Glaciers that drain the ice from it.
Directly across from the immense glacier peaks of Athabasca and
Snowdome is Wilcox Pass, our hiking objective for today. Hiking the
open meadows to the Pass on a sunny day we get sore necks as we
constantly twist around to see the magnificent views at our back.
Before heading on to Jasper where we will spend the next two nights,
we can visit the Icefields Interpretive Centre where all facets of
glaciation are explained. Distance 8km. Elevation gain 335m.
Columbia Icefields seen
from Wilcox Pass. Glacier Views tour. David Jamieson photo.
Day 4:
Hike below Mount Edith Cavell
Back south of town on highway 93 is Mount Edith Cavell which,
at
over 3000m high, is one of the biggest peaks in the Rockies. The meadows walk takes us right below the impressive North face of this mighty peak. Afterwards we can visit the town of Jasper for some shopping and sightseeing before returning to camp.
Distance 6km. Elevation gain 400m.
Angel Glacier, Jasper National Park
Day 5: Return
to Canmore, hike en-route
An early start will see us back on the Icefields Parkway where we get
to see the mountains from a whole new perspective. We will want to
stretch our legs on the way and a good option will be to stop at the
Columbia Icefields for a short hike up Parkers Ridge to see amazing views of the Saskatchewan Glacier
valley. Again we will see how glaciation has moulded this landscape. Or, there will be an alternate option to travel on the Athabasca Glacier aboard an Ice Explorer Snow Coach in the morning (not included in price).
Once back in Canmore we can enjoy a final night on the town to celebrate our glacier adventures in the Canadian Rockies.
Note: We do maintain
some flexibility to allow us to change hiking objectives should
weather dictate and also to adjust to best suit the group.
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About Canmore
Canmore is a leading resort town in the Canadian Rockies. Immediately adjacent to Banff, (20 minute drive) it has become more attractive to active travelers and outdoor sport enthusiasts. Without driving many Canmorites can climb, hike, cross country ski, mountain bike and fish. Within a reasonable drive from town are hikes of all lengths and difficulties, glaciated alpine ascents, rivers for canoeing, kayaking, rafting and fishing, caves for caving, many beautiful lakes and all the more mainstream activities associated with resort towns such as golf and shopping.
Staying busy will be easy if you decide to extend your stay.
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How difficult is it? How fit and experienced need you be?
This is an easy to moderate difficulty tour. It involves hiking for up to
6 hours per day, distances up to 16km, elevation gains of up to 690m. Participants will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, your camera, lunch and something to drink each day.
This program is designed for walkers. Any training you can do before you arrive will enhance your experience. No previous mountain hiking experience required.
Visit our Trip Difficulty Comparison Chart.
Accommodation and Meals
The group will be camping in modern 3-season tents, 2 guests per tent.
The campgrounds will have hot showers. The group will be traveling in a minibus and will be self-contained bringing camping and cooking equipment.
Camping in the Canadian Rockies
Accommodation
before and after the trip in Canmore is NOT included. For your
convenience we can arrange bed
and breakfast hotel rooms for these and other nights at $160
per night. These will be at the recommended
Westridge Country Inn. Double or single occupancy, the cost is the
same. For those wishing to defray this cost we will try to pair them
with other participants. 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 5. Groups generally go out for dinner
in Canmore with the guide on the final evening (own cost).
Cuisine will be simple but hearty and may include pre-made meals to
which we can add a
variety of fresh items. 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.
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Guides and Group Size
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is licensed by Parks Canada and Alberta Provincial parks to conduct hiking tours in both National and Provincial Mountain Parks of the Canadian Rockies.
Your guides are experienced professional hiking guides
who live here, in the Canadian Rockies. They are certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and from the Mountain Parks Heritage Interpretation Association
and have wilderness first aid training. They will be carrying a full
emergency gear including a first-aid kit, bear spray and a portable
radio. Most importantly, they are chosen for their enthusiasm and interest in sharing their knowledge of these mountains.
The minimum group size will be 2, maximum 10.
Meadow
Flowers
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Getting to Canmore and Transportation
Canmore is situated 100km (65miles) 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.
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Clothing and Equipment
Your guide will be carrying a full emergency and first-aid kit. You will need to bring your own personal camping gear and clothing. We will supply tents and group cooking and camping gear. The following list tells you exactly what you need to bring. Extra luggage can be left in Canmore during the tour.
What to Bring
-
HIKING BOOTS: These should be 'broken-in' and have good ankle support and tread. Your boots will make or break your holiday so some time spent getting used to them is time well spent.
-
LARGE PACK or DUFFEL BAG: This will only be used to carry your gear in the minibus and at campsites. You need to be able to fit your sleeping bag, personal effects and clothing into this.
-
DAYPACK: Large enough to carry extra clothing (rain jacket & pants, sweater, gloves, hat), lunch and snack food, water bottle and camera plus accessories (rental available).
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TREKKING POLES
-
SUNGLASSES
-
WATER BOTTLE (1 llitre)
-
SMALL BLISTER & FIRST AID KIT
-
SUN BLOCK & LIP BALM
-
INSECT REPELLENT
Hiking Clothing & Personal Items
-
Wool or fleece HAT
-
SUNHAT
-
3 TO 4 WARM LAYERED TOPS (1.Light weight polypro top. 2. medium or expedition weight polypropylene top. 3. fleece jacket or sweater
-
T-SHIRT for warm, dry sunny days
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RAIN JACKET with HOOD (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow)
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Light GLOVES or MITTS
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SOCKS, several changes.. We suggest a wool blend for comfort.
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SHORT PANTS can be very comfortable for hiking, they should be quick drying, and preferably not cotton.
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HIKING PANTS (comfortable and quick drying, not cotton)
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RAIN PANTS (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow)
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RUNNING SHOES OR OTHER LIGHT WEIGHT FOOTWEAR (backup in case you get blisters).
-
Personal TOILETRIES
-
TOWEL
Optional Gear
-
CAMERA AND SPARE FILM
-
Binoculars & Field Guide
Camping Gear
-
SLEEPING BAG
We recommend at least a '3 season' bag as temperatures can drop to below freezing at night. A bag with synthetic fill functions better in wet conditions. Make sure you bring a stuff sac that will reduce your bag to its minimum size (i.e. one with compression straps). This will provide enough space in your bag for everything else (rentals available).
-
SLEEPING MAT Best is a 'Thermarest' mat, they have some great mats for this type of trip where we will be camping on quite hard surfaces (rentals available) .
-
PILLOW SLIP Rather then carrying a bulky pillow you can stuff this with extra clothing to make a serviceable pillow each night.
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FLASHLIGHT
Rental Information
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.
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Gear and Clothing Sales
Yamnuska Mountain
Adventures now has a range of backpacking equipment
and clothing for sale including recommended light-weight packs, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and
clothing. Clients signed up for a
Yamnuska Program receive 5% off retail items, with
larger discounts available on our package deals.
Details on packing light & recommended items.
Catalogue and purchase information. |
If you have any questions or need clarification don't hesitate to call or write.
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Insurance
Please ensure that your health plan will cover you in case of illness or accident whilst here. Obtain extra travel insurance if necessary.
To Book
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $495CDN
(including GST) is required at time of booking. Final payment is due eight
weeks before the start of the trip. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest
you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $72, this
can only be purchased at the time of booking.
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.
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