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Jasper Highlands
Jasper National Park
In the remote headwaters of Jasper
National Park's Brazeau River, where Poboktan and Jonas Creeks pass,
are huge expanses of alpine meadows that we call the Jasper
Highlands! Our hiking journey circumnavigates much of this expanse
in a huge triangular route also known as the "Brazeau Loop". The
South Branch of the Brazeau River which we follow for the first two
days is a very old trail long used by the indigenous people to be
followed later by European trappers and explorers. Now this trail is used
by backpackers and wildlife including wolves and the elusive
mountain caribou. The ambiance of this valley plus that of the peaks
and meadows above is evocative of all that is wild, remote and
beautiful in the northern reaches of the Canadian Rockies.
If you have already enjoyed the Mount Assiniboine
Backpack or the
Rockwall Highline this is a natural step onto another level of mountain
adventure. It's a more challenging and remote trip that should be on
the list of any backpacking enthusiast.
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2008
Dates
July 27 - August 2 with
Kevin Blades
August 23 - 29 with
Kevin Blades
Cost
$1295.00
Canadian includes guides, Park 'Wilderness Pass',
out-trip meals, group camping gear and local transfers.
Not included: Canmore
accommodation, Gratuities & 5% Goods and Service Tax (GST)*. Cancellation insurance available for $69.
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 7.30pm the
evening 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 7.00 and 7.20pm.
Please ensure that you have your hiking equipment with you.
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Program Itinerary
Day 1:
At 7.30pm 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.
Day 2: Nigel Pass Trailhead - Four Points Campground.
We will pick you up after breakfast, deal with last minute gear issues and food
packing then head off.
Driving north from Canmore on the Icefields Parkway we travel 190 km to the
Nigel Pass Trailhead which is just a few km from the Columbia Icefields.
Crossing the pretty limestone canyon of Nigel Creek we head upstream to Camp
Parker where carefully carved tree blazes date from early European visits in the
late 1800's to when the road arrived in the 1940's.
Gradually, we climb through
slide paths, forest and meadows to reach Nigel Pass and the Jasper Park
boundary. Leaving spectacular views of Mt. Saskatchewan and the peaks south of
the Columbia Icefields behind we drop into the upper reaches of the Brazeau
River to reach our first camp, Four Points, 5 downhill km later. Distance 14 km. Total elevation gain & loss: +335m / -275m.
Crossing a bridge on the Jasper Highlands Hike.
Seiko Ohashi photo.
Day 3: Four Points – Brazeau Lake.
Before heading out we lighten out loads and cache food for our last night and
day for this is also our last campsite. Today will be a
longer day, though the
gradually descending trail makes it much less onerous. Traversing lodge pole
forests and frequent lush meadows, we travel north along
the Brazeau River. This is an old, old trail used by Natives and early European
explorers. It is also used by wildlife as the tracks of bear, moose and wolf
attest. We
continue along the valley dropping through the forest to emerge
on a bench which allows us to traverse above a spectacular canyon of the river before
dropping yet again. Reaching the junction of the Brazeau North Branch we follow
it to our camp by Brazeau Lake. This turquoise marvel is one of the largest
backcountry lakes in the Rockies! Distance 19 km. Total elevation gain & loss: +90m / -150m.
Day 4: Brazeau Lake – Jonas Cutoff Campground
A more challenging day as we climb John-John Creek to Poboktan Pass (2300m) to
enter the Jasper Highlands! These huge tundra-like meadows cover many, many
square kilometers and are home of the Jonas Creek mountain caribou herd! The
view from the
Pass is extensive, we can see for miles, and if lucky we may see bighorn sheep or
even mountain caribou grazing nearby slopes. Views absorbed and photos taken we
then hike several kilometers to the Jonas Cutoff Camp where we spend the next 2
nights. Distance 16km. Total
elevation gain & loss: +490m / -180m.
Day 5: Day hike and scramble from Jonas Cutoff Camp.
We'll lighten our loads today to enjoy a day hike and scramble to explore
the ridges surrounding these meadow highlands that define this journey. Flowers,
wildlife and really spectacular views including the eastern ramparts of the
Columbia Icefields are seen over the rocky ridges of Sunwapta Peak. Exploring high
places of the back country with a light pack is really nice! Distance and
elevation gain subject to will of group! (4 - 12km)
Day 6: Jonas Cutoff Camp - Four Point Campground.
Today we enjoy one of the most impressive alpine traverses in the mountain parks
- a 13-kilometer section of trail that never drops below timberline. After a day
of spectacular views that includes several nearby glaciers and glaciated peaks, we drop steeply to
the valley bottom and the Four Points Camp and completion of the Brazeau Loop.
Here we retrieve our food and fuel cache having enjoyed relatively light
backpacks for the day. This is a great camp where we can enjoy life in the hills
around a campfire. Distance 19 km. Total elevation gain & loss: +350m /
-555m.
Crossing Jonas Shoulder, Jasper Highlands 2007
Day 7: Four Point Camp - Nigel Trailhead
At our camp by the Brazeau River we pack up for the last time. The 14km trail
over Nigel Pass to the road passes quickly as light packs and a wonderful view
to the west, that we really never appreciated on the first day, help the
kilometers slip quickly by. We meet our van
and drive back to Canmore, to hot showers and the customary final night of
celebration. Distance 14km. Total elevation gain & loss:
+280m / -335m.
View west over Nigel Pass, Day 7 of Jasper Highlands. Seiko Ohash1 photo.
Read a "GUIDE'S PERSPECTIVE" for more about the hike and its special
ambiance!
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How difficult is it? How fit and experienced need you be?
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Canyon on the Brazeau River.
Steve Fuller photo.
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This
trip is rated challenging due to successive longish days
(14 - 19km). On the first and second days backpack weights are
heavier.
Participants will be carrying personal clothing and gear plus a fair
share of food and group gear (tents, stoves, etc). By keeping personal
gear light, pack weights need not exceed 20kg (44lbs) on the 1st day,
thereafter weights drop quickly. Please read our
Travelling Light & Making Backpacking More Fun
for information and suggestions for clothing and equipment.
Prior hiking experience is
not a prerequisite but is strongly recommended. Participants must be in good physical
condition and able to carry a backpack over hilly terrain for a succession
of longish days.
The trails are generally
good with occasional boggy sections. We will hike
at a regular and steady
pace that conserves energy but you still must be in good
hiking shape before you come. We cannot
emphasize enough that training pays great dividends in enjoyment. We
suggest you train by walking and/or cycling and/or hiking (ideally in
hilly terrain).
Visit our Trip
Difficulty Comparison Chart.
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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 two.
Scorpion Weed, hardy alpine biennial seen on scree, Jasper Highlands 2007.
Ugo Mazzarolo photo.
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Accommodation
and Meals
On the trail you
will be staying in modern, lightweight 2- and 1-person weather-proof
tents.
The first and last
night's accommodation 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 2 to lunch on Day 7. 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.
On Jonas Shoulder, Day 6 of the Jasper Highlands Hike.
Seiko Ohashi photo.
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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
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Wolf print on trail, Jasper
Highlands.
Ugo Mazzarolo photo. |
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.
We supply transportation from Canmore to the hiking trails.
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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.
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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. |
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Fishing
Brazeau Lake fishes well for large cutthroat and hybrid varieties of trout.
Participants are welcome to bring lightweight fishing gear. A National
Park fishing license is required (purchase in Canmore). Fishing is
only possible on the 2nd evening so it might be wise to consider
whether
carrying fishing gear for the whole trip is worthwhile.
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Insurance
In the National Parks there is no charge for rescue, however you may have to pay for evacuation should you hurt yourself or fall ill (not astronomically expensive). Ensure that you have adequate travel insurance or that your health plan will cover you whilst here.
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To Book
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $476 CDN
(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 $69, 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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More about the hike, "A Guide's Perspective"
"Hiking the Jasper Highline
is an amazingly varied backpacking trip. We go over mountain passes, wander
through lush meadows and camp by rivers and the beautiful Brazeau Lake.
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Inka
Karlsen |
Nigel Pass acts like a guard for the grand tour of the southern ranges of
Jasper Park, it welcomes us on the first day, and whispers goodbye as we
leave. Poboktan Pass is encountered a few days into the trip, when the packs
have been adjusted and our loads lightened. Hiking through the Pass, we are
again above tree line, and can enjoy rolling terrain and the wonderful
views. This is a good day to keep the binoculars handy, and scout for bears
or caribou in the distance. Going up and over Jonas Shoulder is a highpoint
of the trip, also literally with its 2470 meters. It feels as if we can
touch the glaciated peaks just across the valley. The “alpine” feeling stays
with us as we traverse along Jonas Pass, before dropping below treeline
again.
Living for a week on the Brazeau Lake Loop is an easy going life. After
hiking through lush meadows and green forests, or over a high pass we hit
camp in the afternoon. The campgrounds are situated in beautiful forest,
and have rivers or lake water close by. Hanging out at the beach is
possible at Brazeau Lake campground. You can dry yourself off in the warm
afternoon sun while you wait for someone else to make afternoon drinks and
snack. The food is great tasting, and feels wonderful in your tummy after
being carried on your back all day.
Spending this time in a remote, quiet and beautiful place effects all of us
who do this. We have a chance to spend some time with just ourselves as we
silently hike along as a part of the group. And being in a group with new
and exciting people with the same passion as yourself, offers endless
amounts of opportunities to have good conversations and many belly laughs.
After hiking the Jasper Highline I have warm and fun memories in my mind,
great pictures in my photo album and new friends who write to me and want to
go out hiking again."
Inka Karlsen
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