Trip Cancellation Insurance is available through Travel Guard.
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.
How difficult is it?
How fit and experienced need you be?
This trip is rated challenging due to the succession of longish days (14 - 19km) plus the final 26km day (largely downhill). By using food drops at Sunshine Meadows and Mt. Assiniboine, backpack weights are moderate. 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 16kg (35lbs). Please read our Traveling Light & Making Backpacking More Fun for information and suggestions for clothing and equipment.
Prior hiking experience is not a prerequisite but is recommended. Participants must be in good physical condition able to carry a backpack over hilly terrain for a succession of longish days.
The trails are generally good. We will hike a regular and steady pace that conserves energy but you still must be in reasonably 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). Break in those hiking boots!
The Banff Highline Trail is a wonderful journey through the Canadian Rockies during which we encounter much of the diversity to be found in these beautiful mountains. Day after day we cross spectacular passes interspersed with alpine lakes. Craggy peaks constructed of multi-hued quartzite give way to the massive gun-metal grey limestone slabs typical of the Front Ranges.
Different elevations feature a variety of flowers and vegetation from the delicate moss campions of the alpine zone to the flowering shrubs and berries of the forest floor. A daily constant will be Mount Assiniboine's massive pyramid, first seen from Arnica ridge on Day 2 then gradually getting closer until we reach its base three days later.
We picked the most beautiful and accessible sections of the Continental Divide and hike south through Banff National Park. We straddle the Continental Divide hiking through both British Columbia and Alberta. There is excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout this whole trip. We will hike more than 100km of trails.
This is one of our most popular backcountry hikes - and for good reason!
Day 1: At 7.30pm we meet at the Yamnuska Mountain Adventures office in Canmore. We'll go over the trip logistics with you and check to see that you are properly outfitted.
Day 2: Vista Lake to Shadow Lake
We will pick you up after breakfast, deal with last minute gear issues, pack our food then drive to the trailhead (1hour). From a view point above the emerald waters of Vista Lake view point, we descend to the shore from where we commence the long climb past Arnica Lake to Arnica Ridge (2285m). From nearby we can get our first views of Mt. Assiniboine in the very far distance. A short hike takes us down to the Twin Lakes before our final climb for the day to Gibbon Pass (2300m) with its extensive meadows. We drop again towards Shadow Lake and to the campground. Distance: 14 km, Total elevation gain: 1100 meters, Elevation loss: 830 meters. A great first day!
Day 3: Shadow Lake to Egypt Lake
Today we continue on towards Ball Pass junction (1950m), where the trail starts to climb through Whistling Valley, named for the Whistling Marmots found on the Pass. We hike past Haiduk Lake to Whistling Pass (2300m) with excellent views back past Mt. Ball. After taking in the vistas, we head down towards Egypt Lake (1995m). After setting up camp we can walk the short distance to the Lake, to swim, to fish or to relax and watch for the Bald Eagles that frequently circle above. Distance: 14 km, total elevation gain: 480 meters, elevation loss: 300 meters.
Day 4: Egypt to Howard Douglas Lake
Leaving Egypt Lake we start climbing towards Healy Pass (2330m). Emerging from the forest the landscape opens up ahead of us to reveal the extensive meadows systems that stretch with interruptions, all the way to Mt. Assiniboine. Our next objective is Simpson Pass (2350m), discovered in 1841 by Sir George Simpson, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company. We actually descend to the Pass then begin a long, gradual contouring climb which will bring us to the Wawa ridge overlooking the expansive Sunshine Meadows. The Monarch viewpoint here has one of the best views of the entire trip. As always we can look back to the mountains from whence we've come and ahead to Mt. Assiniboine, our objective. Weather permitting we bypass Sunshine Village (famous ski hill) and cross several kilometers of meadow before the final short climb over Quartz Ridge and the quick descent to the the Howard Douglas campground at 2275m. Distance: 19 km. Total elevation gain: 630 meters, elevation loss: 350 meters. It's a stunning day today!
Day 5: Howard Douglas to Og Lake
More meadows lead us to Citadel Pass (2360m) and the long descent into the Golden Valley (1960m) and the unique looking 'Valley of the Rocks'. We'll be gently ascending towards Og Lake campground (2060m). Distance: 16.4 km. Total elevation gain: 400 meters, elevation loss: 600 meters.
Day 6: Og to Magog Lake
With only 7 km of easy hiking to the campground at Lake Magog we can afford a well deserved leisurely start. Five kilometers of spectacular meadow hiking brings us to historic Mt. Assiniboine Lodge with the campground a further 2 km beyond the Lake. We can spend the afternoon doing a short hike to Sunburst Lake or just take a well-earned nap! Distance: 7 km. Total elevation gain: 120 meters.
Day 7: Day hiking at Magog Lake
We'll stay at the Magog Campground again tonight, so we have the whole day to explore the Assiniboine area, or have a rest day. There are many options, from easy wandering in the meadows, to a scramble up Nub Peak where the views of Mt. Assiniboine are just fantastic. We can finish off with tea and cake at the Lodge before returning to camp. Distance and elevation change subject to group will! (8 - 14km).
Day 8: Magog to Mount Shark
Our final day on the trail is a very long one. We'll head over Wonder Pass (2395m), leaving Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park. Continuing down a steep trail, we have views of three beautiful blue and green lakes and we travel above the largest one, Marvel lake. Rejoining the main valley trail from Assiniboine Pass we'll stop for lunch before setting out on a pleasant forest trail for the final 12km leg to the Mt. Shark (1770m) trailhead. A further 50 minute drive brings us back to Canmore for hot showers and an evening in which to celebrate our trip and life in the mountains. Distance: 26 km. Total elevation gain: 280 meters, elevation loss: 690 meters.
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.
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 three.
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 but we can arrange this for you. For your convenience we can arrange hotel accommodations in Canmore for $160 per night. These will be at the recommended Canmore Radisson. 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.
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 8. 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.
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. We would be pleased to arrange your airport ground transportation at time of booking.
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.
Several lakes on this trip fish well for brook and rainbow trout. Participants are welcome to bring lightweight fishing gear. National Park and BC licenses are required (latter can be purchased from Assiniboine Lodge). Fishing regulations apply.
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A 35% deposit CDN (including HST) 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.
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.
