Just to the east of Lake Louise lie vast alpine meadows linked by forested valleys and narrow passes that are perfect for a multi day hiking trip. The Skoki region has been a favourite with mountain hikers to Banff National Park for well over a century (including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their summer 2011 visit to Canada).

We offer a short but breathtaking backpacking tour of the Skoki region that is designed for newcomers to the activity or for those who enjoy a more relaxed approach to backcountry hiking.

The trails are good, the campsites are located in spectacular settings and the mountain ambiance around Lake Louise is as good as it gets!

Itinerary

Day 1: Lake Louise to Hidden Lake
At 8:30am 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 just under an hour, west to Lake Louise.

The hike starts at the nearby Fish Creek parking just below the Lake Louise ski resort. After 4km of hiking the ski area road we hit the trail which we follow for a further 3.0 km up Corral Creek to the Halfway Hut which is a historic log cabin used as a shelter for travellers en-route to Skoki Lodge in the old days. Just beyond is our first campsite. Distance 7.8km. Elevation gain 400m.

Hidden Lake, set in an absolutely spectacular bowl beneath the rocky ramparts of Mount Richardson, is not far away and we can go there for a walk once we have our camp set up.

Day 2: Hidden Lake to Merlin Meadows
Today is a classic day of backpacking in the Canadian Rockies as we continue up the valley to Boulder Pass at 2345m high. Boulder Pass is named for the ancient boulder field created by a rockfall from Redoubt Mountain.

Revealed beyond, Ptarmigan Lake stretches away to the east surrounded by expansive alpine meadows and rocky peaks. Continuing along and above the Lake we come to the trail leading us over Deception Pass (2450m.) and down into the Skoki Valley. Dropping quickly into the forested valley we cross a couple of meadows before coming to historic Skoki Lodge. Built in the 1920s by the Canadian Pacific Railroad, it is especially popular with backcountry skiers in winter. After stopping perhaps, for a cup of tea it is only another kilometer of downhill hiking until we get to the Merlin Meadows and our camp for the night. Distance 8.9km. Elevation gain 250m, loss 300m.

From the campsite it is only 2.6km of hiking across open meadows then up a headwall to Merlin Lake, yet another beautiful alpine lake in an unbeatable mountain setting! We can either do this short hike in the afternoon or save it for the next morning.

Day 3: Merlin Meadows to Baker Lake
One of the great features of this region is its complicated topography and which allows us a couple of different options today. Our primary objective is the campsite at the outlet of Baker Lake though if the weather turns bad we may opt instead for Red Deer Lakes further east. In any event we will most likely continue down valley until the trail skirts around Skoki Mountain taking us into the huge open, meadow-filled headwaters of the spectacular Red Deer River.

Were we to continue east we would eventually (after many days) end up on the prairies! But we don't, we hike instead past the Red Deer Lakes climbing slowly to Cotton Grass Pass (2200m.) and the head of Baker Creek. Again we spend most of our time out of the forest travelling across expansive meadows surrounded by endless mountains. Baker Lake campsite is a short distance above the Pass. Distance 10.3km. Elevation gain 100m.

Day 4: Baker Lake to Lake Louise
Baker Lake with its meadow setting is an amazing place. On this, our final day we will have some time for exploration before hiking back past Ptarmigan Lake and over Boulder Pass then down to Lake Louise to return to Canmore! Distance 11 km. Elevation gain 100m., loss 525m.

Logistics

Meeting Place and Time

We will meet you at our Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office at 8.30am 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 at your hotel will occur between 8.10am and 8.20am.

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 Radison. 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. Please contact us for recommendations based on your preferences.

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 hiking guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.  Our professional hiking 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. We can arrange your airport ground transportation at time of booking.

Gear

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

Hidden Lake, Red Deer Lake and Baker Lake all fish well with brook trout prevalent. Participants are welcome to bring lightweight fishing gear. National Park fishing licenses are required (purchase in Canmore). Fishing regulations apply.

Booking Information

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.

Insurance

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.