Canadian Rockies Walking Tour
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Lake Louise. Ugo Mazzarolo
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The Canadian Rockies surrounding Canmore and Banff contain a lifetime of walking. Eight National and Provincial Mountain Parks are within easy driving distance. The scenery is classically magnificent, steely grey limestone peaks are clothed in forests, waterfalls, craggy cliffs and, not far west of Canmore, glaciers! The forest cover of the valley floors is broken by frequent lakes and beaver
ponds. Towards treeline the forest thins, alpine larches appear as
forests give way to alpine meadows.
From late May to mid August the forest and especially the meadows are lit in glorious wildflower shades of red, blue, yellow and white. By late August wildflower color is replaced by the reds and
golds of Fall. September is in some ways the most spectacular month as the alpine larches turn treeline into a blazing line of gold and incandescent aspens speckle the valley floors.
We
are all locals, we live and play in these mountains and we really
enjoy showing them to you! We will spend two nights here in Canmore
before taking you for two nights each in Banff and Lake Louise.
We look forward to introducing you to the great hiking we have here in
the Canadian Rockies!
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2008 Dates
June 1 - 6, Jun 15
- 20, June 29 - July 4, July 13 - 18, July 27 - August 1, August 10 -
15, September 14 - 19. Private departures also
available.
Cost
$2495 Canadian includes hiking guide, 6 nights accommodation, all
breakfasts, all lunches, local transfers and National Park Entry.
Not included: Gratuities,
evening meals &
5% Goods and Service Tax (GST)*. Cancellation insurance available for $133.
Additional nights can be booked in Canmore for an extra charge.
* 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 in the lobby of the
Radisson
Hotel in Canmore at 7.30pm on day
1. We will supply them with a guest list and you will be able to check
yourself in earlier that afternoon.
Map
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Program Itinerary
Day 1:
Meet in Canmore
Everyone arrives in Canmore and we meet that evening at
7:30pm at the Radisson
Hotel for a welcome session. We’ll go over plans and options for the following days, look at maps of the area and check to see that you are properly outfitted.
Fall colors on Mount Yamnuska
Day 2: Day
hike from Canmore
Your guide will meet you at the hotel for breakfast, following which we’ll head out on our first hike which will be in one of the many parks covering Kananaskis country. We like to keep plans flexible and we like to choose a hike that's not too hard to let you acclimatize to our higher elevation and dry air.
Day 3:
Travel to Lake Louise, hike en-route
After breakfast we drive north towards Lake Louise stopping to hike in Kootenay National Park (50 km from Canmore) on the way. Paget Lookout and Stanley Glacier are two choices. After hiking we complete our drive north another 25km to Lake Louise with its gem of a lake surrounded by enormous peaks
and their hanging glaciers.
Hiking
on Wilcox Meadows, Mount Athabasca behind. David Jamieson photo.
Day 4:
Hiking at the Columbia Icefields, Jasper National Park
There is a bit of driving today (2 hours each way) but it is one of the most scenic drives in the world ... the 'Icefields Parkway'! We follow it up valleys overhung by glaciers, past lakes and Icefields then over alpine passes and meadows to reach the world-famous Columbia Icefields. With the Columbia Icefields and stunning Mt. Athabasca
as our backdrop we hike on Wilcox Meadows. Return to Lake Louise for the night.
Day 5: Hike in Yoho National Park
Head a little west over "Kicking Horse Pass' into Yoho National Park (10 km). Hike either to Yoho Lake or, if feeling fit, the Iceline Trail. Return to Banff (80 km) for the last two nights.
Wildflowers by trail to Healy Pass
Day 6:
Hiking in Banff National Park
A final day of hiking in Banff National Park, perhaps to Healy Meadows, Sunshine or Larch Valley. Enjoy a final night on the town in Banff to celebrate our adventures walking in the Canadian Rockies.
Day 7: Tour finishes
We finish with coffee and breakfast together as we say our goodbyes, plot our returns, and then head off on our separate ways for further adventures.
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Sample Hikes
Mt. Yamnuska, 25 km east of Canmore in the Yamnuska Natural Park, 12 km of walking , 800m elevation gain. Yamnuska overlooks the lower Bow Valley and the montane
forests of the Rockies' foothills with the prairies in the far distance. Best in early summer when the
area blooms with paintbrush, fireweed, fleabane, tiger lilies and orchids or in September when the aspens are turning yellow and alpine shrubs red.
Stanley Glacier, 30 km west of Banff in Kootenay National Park, 8 km of walking,365 m elevation gain. Hike into a beautiful hanging valley above Vermilion Pass. Mt. Stanley and the Stanley Glacier above. A profusion of wildflowers from beginning to end.
Wilcox Pass, at the Columbia Icefields 160 km north west
of Banff. A wonderful walk in alpine meadows with Mt. Athabasca and
the Columbia Icefields as a backdrop.
Healy Meadows, in Banff National Park 15 km west of Banff. Hike through mature forest to reach extensive alpine meadows with great views.
Sunshine Meadows, 30km west of Canmore in Banff National Park, access by shuttle bus to extensive walking trails on alpine meadows. Wildflower heaven.
Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass, 80km west of Canmore in Banff National Park above Moraine Lake, 12 km walking, 720 m elevation gain. Famous for alpine meadows, Fall colors and alpine scenery both
Yoho Lake, in Yoho National Park 100 km west of Canmore. A beautiful lake nestled in the forest just below Yoho Pass. Great views of Takkakaw Falls and Yoho Valley.
The Iceline, in Yoho National Park 100 km west of Canmore, is a hiking tour de force. Hike adjacent to glaciers and high above the valley, magnificent view of Takkakaw Falls.
Sunset in the Canadian Rockies
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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 5 hours per day,
daily distances can range from 8 to up to 16km, elevation gains of up to 600m. Participants will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, camera, lunch and something to drink each day. Hikes will be chosen to best suit the group.
This program is designed for fit walkers. Any training you can do before you arrive will enhance your experience. No previous mountain hiking experience required.
Accommodation and Meals
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Healy Pass Meadows,
Canadian Rockies Walking
Tour |
We
use high standard hotels and lodges. Rooms are shared (double occupancy). No single supplement applies unless you wish to guarantee a single for yourself. We can arrange rooms for you to stay in Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise before and after the tour.
Most groups will spend the first two nights of each trip at the
Radisson
Hotel (511
Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, tel. 1 403 678 3625). In Banff we use
Brewster Mountain Lodge and in Lake Louise we choose from a
variety of hotels.
All breakfasts are included as are
hiking lunches and trail snacks. Dinners are not included. There are many easily accessible restaurants nearby or in your hotel. Please specify any special dietary requirements you have on your application so we can incorporate them into our lunch menus.
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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
8.
Fall hiking in Kananaskis Country ... Canadian Rockies
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 daypack and personal clothing. Cotton clothing is NOT recommended as an insulating layer as it causes rapid heat loss when wet.
What to Bring
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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.
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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
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SUNGLASSES
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WATER BOTTLE (1 Litre)
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SMALL BLISTER & FIRST AID KIT
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SUN BLOCK & LIP BALM
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INSECT REPELLENT
Hiking Clothing
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Wool or fleece HAT
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SUNHAT
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3 TO 4 WARM LAYERED TOPS (1.Light weight polypro top. 2. medium or expedition weight polypropylene top. 3. fleece jacket or sweater
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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) (Rentals available)
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RUNNING SHOES OR OTHER LIGHT WEIGHT FOOTWEAR (backup in case you get blisters).
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BATHING SUIT - OPTIONAL
Optional Gear
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CAMERA AND SPARE FILM
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BINOCULARS
Rental Information
We have daypacks and rain gear for rent. Please book in advance.
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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
email.
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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.
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To Book
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. A deposit of $917CDN
(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
medical cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $133, 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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