Assiniboine Provincial Park Mountain climbing Information

British Columbia is filled with beautiful places – I’m eternally together with to my itemizing of places to go to! One such place is Mt Assiniboine which I was able to go to quite a few years previously.

I’m glad to say that it lived as a lot because the hype. It truly is a ravishing house and climbing Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park was a summer season highlight (if I do my best to miss in regards to the mosquitoes and heat!).

Do you have to’re Mt Assiniboine reservations, then be sure to be taught this Mount Assiniboine climbing info to review the whole thing you need to know!

AllTrails is my go-to climbing app for finding, planning, and navigating whereas I’m out on the paths. With offline maps on AllTrails+ it’s possible you’ll be assured you’re nonetheless on track, even with out mobile signal.

About Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park & The place is Mt Assiniboine

Mt Assiniboine is situated in jap British Columbia, pretty close to the Alberta/BC border. Whereas it’s close to the border with Alberta, It’s a hike-in or fly-in hike as there will not be any roads as a lot because the park.

Typically referred to as the Matterhorn of the Rockies, Assiniboine mountain, and the encircling peaks and lakes will blow you away. It really is almost nearly as good as a result of it seems! There’s a objective it’s part of the Rocky Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Web site!

The wildlife, lakes, forests, and mountains make the Mt Assiniboine hike one in order so as to add to your BC bucket itemizing for sure.

Mt Assiniboine itself sits at 3,600 m extreme and towers over Magog Lake. It’s the snowier one inside the many photographs you’ve seen from the Nib/Nub hikes!

You can view a map of Assiniboine park right here. This does not embody the Mt Shark or Sunshine Village areas from the place you’ll start the Mt Assiniboine path.

When is the simplest time to go to Mt Assiniboine?

The most effective time to go to Mt Assiniboine is all through the summer season, between June and September. 

Even within the summertime, it’s common for nights to dip below freezing because of elevation. Make sure you pack some warmth layers even when the local weather seems good ahead of your journey.

As we realized, it’s not on a regular basis the case that it’s going to get chilly. We hike in Assiniboine Park for Canada day weekend in July, temperatures had been above 30°C, and at no degree did it actually really feel chilly. (Don’t depend upon this though – it’s pretty unusual!) There’s not quite a bit shade on the campground so the peak hours of the day had been spent in our tents attempting to stay away from an extreme quantity of direct photo voltaic.

Moreover, be sure to pack a great deal of bug spray and coils as they’d been relentless!

How prolonged do it’s important to spend at Mt Assiniboine?

We did 3 nights inside the house; 1 night tenting half method up the trail, 2 nights at Magog Lake, after which flying out the subsequent morning.

I’d say this generally is a minimal as a result of it permits as a way to hike in, uncover the realm spherical Magog Lake and some of the completely different Mount Assiniboine hike, and settle down just a bit too!

Do you have to plan on doing quite a few additional hikes while you’re up there, or want to hike in and out then it is best so as to add some additional days.

Mt Assiniboine Local weather

The local weather at Mt Assiniboine is great variable. Some years the snow sticks spherical into July and begins end of August, some years it’s chilly and last yr it was above 30°C. Be prepared for all eventualities and confirm the trail research and Mount Assiniboine Lodge/Mt Assiniboine webcam to get an idea of what to anticipate by means of snow.

Learn to get to Mt Assiniboine trailhead?

Attending to the Mount Assiniboine path head takes a while. The distant location of Mt Assiniboine is what retains it so explicit, nonetheless it’s not going doable to do a Mount Assiniboine day hike (and enjoy it completely!). Counting on which route you’re taking to get to Mt Assiniboine, the trailhead varies. We drove in and out from the Mt Shark trailhead.

In common years you can also take the gondola from Banff Sunshine Village which is perhaps your trailhead. Or, it’s possible you’ll fly in/out by helicopter from Canmore!

Mount Shark Trailhead

We stayed in Canmore for quite a few days sooner than our hike after which headed out early inside the morning to do the first portion of the hike to Lake Magog.

The road from Canmore is a gravel road that’s in pretty good state of affairs nonetheless an AWD/4×4 automotive might be larger fitted to this 40 km gravel drive. Having talked about that, Elvis the van managed it, merely at a quite a bit slower tempo than a number of the autos whizzing earlier!

The drive takes you through Spray Lakes Provincial Park and there are a number of good climbing, tenting, and paddleboarding/kayaking alternate options alongside this road when you occur to need to lengthen your journey. You can reserve these campgrounds on the Alberta tenting reservation web site for backcountry tenting in Alberta.

There are two Mt Shark parking tons, one for the Mount Shark helipad and the alternative for hikers. Do you have to’re climbing in a way and flying out a way as we did, then it’s as a lot as you to find out at which degree you’d considerably do the 2 km. I’d counsel starting with it as you’ll potential be drained and by no means actually really feel want it after quite a few days of backpacking! Luckily though, the 2 km is pretty flat and simple going.

Kananaskis Conservation Transfer

Do you have to’re parking on the Mt Shark trailhead you ought to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Transfer. That is rather like the Nationwide Park Transfer for Banff/Jasper. You can purchase these on-line right here.

Sunshine Village Trailhead

The Sunshine Village trailhead is approach easier to get to than Mt Shark and would possibly forestall some climbing too. You can take a shuttle to the gondola from Banff, or drive yourselves. Do you have to’re able to take the gondola it might probably prevent your self quite a few km of climbing. Merely double-check the gondola is working as a result of it hasn’t been for the last few summers.

Helicopter to Mt Assiniboine

Alternatively, you’ll get the helicopter to Mt Assiniboine. Most people fly in from the Mt Shark trailhead (particulars above) nonetheless some fly in from Canmore.

We flew out from Mt Assiniboine to Mt Shark and I’d extraordinarily counsel flying a way when you occur to can. The views are stunning and it’s superior to get a definite perspective of what you’ve hiked or are about to hike!

For 2023 Mt Assiniboine helicopter prices in summer season are:

• From Mt Shark 1 method: $205 +tax pp
• From Canmore 1 method: $235+

Flights should be booked by way of the Assiniboine Lodge and proof of your tenting reservation is required. BC Parks tenting reservations for Mount Assiniboine are booked right here.

Helicopter flights solely depart on Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays, and on prolonged weekends flights perform on Mondays in its place of Sundays. Bear that in ideas when you occur to’re planning to take a helicopter – you’ll need to guarantee your tenting reservations match up!

Climbing Mount Assiniboine

Do you have to’ve decided to hike into Mt Assiniboine or out (or every strategies!), there are a selection of completely completely different routes it’s possible you’ll take. We hiked to Mt Assiniboine from Mt Shark by means of Shock Transfer. Alternatively, it’s possible you’ll go from Mt Shark by means of Assiniboine Transfer, or from Sunshine Village by means of Og Lake.

Some of us climbing every strategies decide to start out out at one end and finish on the completely different meaning you’ll get to tick off lots of the principal trails inside the park – an epic hike!

Beneath you’ll uncover information on all three principal climbing trails to Mt Assiniboine.

Climbing to Mt Assiniboine by means of Shock Transfer

That’s the route we took, choosing to hike in after which fly out. That method we felt like we’d earned the take care of of a helicopter, plus it was cool to see all the routes we’d hiked quite a few days sooner than!

Day 1: Mt Shark – Br 14 Camp

Starting from Mt Shark, the first 14km are comparatively flat and shaded. We had been glad it was shaded since our journey to Mt Assiniboine coincided with BC’s first most important heatwave (36-40°C!).

We’d initially consider to do the 30 km hike from Mt Shark to Mt Assiniboine in sooner or later nonetheless given the heat, we broke it up over two and camped at McBride’s Camp (Br 14) (reserved by Park’s Canada – Banff Nationwide Park).

There aren’t many views on the first 14 km from Mt Shark to Marvel Lake. The grizzly bear warning sign saved us on our toes and making some noise as we hiked on, and the stream near camp offered a refreshing dip.

Day 2: Br 14 Camp – Magog Lake

Day 2 was a quite a bit better day and we met up with our buddies who we’d hiked to Berg Lake with the yr sooner than and mentally prepared for the climb.

Assiniboine Transfer is supposedly barely easier than Shock Transfer, nonetheless Shock Transfer is arguably even prettier. Whichever you choose I’m sure you obtained’t be dissatisfied.

The hike to Shock Transfer begins with a flat stroll by way of some stunning meadows surrounded by mountains. You’ll then begin to obtain elevation slowly, crossing quite a few streams and likewise you stroll above Marvel Lake.

As you attain the highest of Marvel Lake there are the notorious switchbacks!

These switchbacks are steep and onerous going significantly with a large backpack and 30°C heat! Merely take it sluggish, have some breaks and likewise you’ll get there.

After the switchbacks, the views get critically spectacular. The elevation is nearly carried out by this degree and likewise you’ll slowly make your method downhill within the path of Mt Assiniboine, Mt Assiniboine Lodge, and Magog Lake.

On the easiest way down you’ll go by a waterfall, some further streams, after which the lovable Naiset Huts that mark the start of the lodge house. From proper right here it’s merely 2 km with views of Mt Assiniboine until you get to Magog Lake campsite!

Complete Dimension: 26 km

Minimize up the route by tenting at:

• Marvel Lake
• Br 14
• Br 9
• Br 17

*Amount denotes km from Mt Shark trailhead

All the above campsites are in Banff Nationwide Park. For Banff tenting reservations you possibly can ebook through Parks Canada and are located in Banff Nationwide Park. As with most backcountry tenting in Banff, the providers embody a cooking shelter, bear bins, and pit bogs.

Climbing to Mt Assiniboine by means of Assiniboine Transfer

Do you have to’re climbing by means of Assiniboine Transfer you’ll go from Mt Shark and observe the similar 14 km to Br 14 camp. At this degree, in its place of turning left and heading alongside Marvel Lake, you’ll proceed straight and stroll by way of the valley for yet another 5.5 km sooner than turning left.

Take the hiker’s extreme path on the right apart from August 1st – September thirtieth when this route is mostly closed in an effort to reduce contact between folks and grizzly bears.

Complete Dimension: 27.5 km

Minimize up the route by tenting at:

• Marvel Lake Campground (13 km)
• Br 14
• Br 9
• Br 17

*Amount denotes km from Mt Shark trailhead

All the above campsites are booked through Parks Canada and are located in Banff Nationwide Park.

Climbing from Sunshine to Assiniboine

The Sunshine Village to Mt Assiniboine hike is the longest of the routes nonetheless is claimed to be barely easier.

Do you have to take the gondola up, it’s solely a quick climb to Citadel Transfer then a steep descent once more into the valley. Then it’s uphill for the remainder of the hike to Magog Lake.

You can reduce up the route up by tenting at:

• Porcupine Campground, 12.5km
• Og Lake Campground, 22.2km

Booked by means of Tenting.BCParks.ca

The place to stay at Mt Assiniboine

There are a variety of completely completely different lodging selections for Mt Assiniboine which is rare for such a distant location. Sadly, none of them are considerably easy to e ebook with reservations getting snapped up quickly whichever alternative you choose!

Mount Assiniboine Tenting Reservations

The closest campsite to Mt Assiniboine is the Magog Lake campsite. Whereas this campground isn’t correct on the lake, it is solely a quick stroll proper all the way down to the lake and locations you in a terrific location for shut by hikes akin to The Nib/Nub viewpoint.

You’ll need to order in peak season (June 26 – September 30) to camp at Mt Assiniboine and reservations are carried out by way of tenting.BCParks.ca. Reservations typically go in seconds, so that you simply’ll should e ebook as shortly as they go dwell. Do you have to don’t deal with to get them then protect a watch fastened out on the net web site for cancellations.

The campground has an enormous sheltered house with picnic tables, taps for laundry, and several other different outhouses. You’ll need to pack out the whole thing that you just pack in and all water have to be dealt with sooner than you drink it.

See my Berg Lake packing itemizing for an idea of what to pack for such a journey!

You can nonetheless get a mode of the lodge life when you occur to’re a camper! The lodge opens to campers for an hour on select days the place you’re invited to have the benefit of beer, wine, and cake. After climbing in a heatwave and battling mosquitoes, the chance to have the benefit of an ice-cold beer and some cake was quite a bit beloved!

There’ll typically be a sign on the uncover board as you come into Magog Camp to allow you to already know the situations/days that’s being offered.

Naiset Huts

The Naiset Huts are a slight step up from tenting whereas nonetheless being cheap.

You can reserve single beds in these dorm-style huts, or lease your whole hut. Per particular person, per night it’s spherical $25, along with your whole hut costing $125-$200 counting on the dimensions you go for.

These huts are nonetheless elementary lodging. You’ll have to hold your particular person sleeping bag nonetheless there is a fireside if it’s chilly. Firewood should be bought from the Lodge and there’s a cooking shelter shut by which you possibly can use.

Naiset Hut bookings should be made by way of Assiniboine Lodge over the cellphone.

Assiniboine Lodge

Do you have to’re making an attempt to take care of your self or aren’t a fan of tenting, then the Assiniboine Lodge is for you!

This lodge was inbuilt 1928 and was the first backcountry ski lodge in North America. You can maintain in each a lodge room or considered one of many cabins. All meals are included and you will profit from the very good views in entrance of the lodge.

The lodge is definitely an expensive alternative with rooms starting at $380 per particular person, per night. There is a 2-night minimal maintain and your maintain ought to match up with the helicopter flights, even in case you’re climbing in and out.

All lodge bookings are direct by way of Assiniboine Lodge.

Mt Assiniboine Hikes

Arriving at Magog Lake is spectacular, nonetheless the simplest views include just a bit bit further effort! Listed beneath are just a few of the additional hikes you’ll be able to do throughout the house.

The Niblet/Nublet/Nub Path

That’s the path you’ll want to take to get that view of Mt Assiniboine and the lakes.

Nub Peak is the perfect degree with an elevation obtain of spherical 600 m from Lake Magog to the peak. You may additionally stop at each the niblet or the Nublet every of which have equally very good views with fairly much less effort.

The trail to this viewpoint takes you once more within the path of the Lodge from the campground after which throw the forests, earlier the shores of Sunburst and Cerulean Laes, after which uphill by means of some switchbacks to the Niblet.

Shock Transfer

Do you have to didn’t hike in by means of Shock Transfer and don’t plan to hike out that method I’d extraordinarily counsel doing this as a day hike. The views from the best of the go are beautiful and properly properly well worth the effort!

Lake Magog

Lake Magog is just downhill from the campground, there’s a small path alongside a stream that you possibly can observe to get down there. It’s a ravishing lake correct in entrance of Mt Assiniboine. For those who want to stroll spherical proper right here it’s possible you’ll stroll alongside the right-hand facet as you technique it within the path of the foot of the mountain for even larger views.

Sunburst Lake

Sunburst Lake is doubtless one of many further well-known lakes in Mount Assiniboine Park. It’s solely spherical quarter-hour from the campground and properly worth visiting.

Cerulean Lake

The other lake you’ve seen in the Assiniboine {photograph} is Cerulean Lake. It’s a quick, comparatively flat 30 minute stroll from Magog campground and it’s beautiful with Sunburst peak inside the background. As a result of it was so scorching as soon as we visited, we couldn’t resist a dip!

Elizabeth Lake

Barely bit extra than the above two lakes is Elizabeth Lake. It’s properly signposted and likewise you’ll head downhill within the path of the lake that sits below the Nub. This one wasn’t the simplest for swimming (too many bugs) nonetheless it was a pleasing stroll and worth doing when you occur to’ve obtained a day to sit down again inside the park.

What to pack for Mt Assiniboine hike

Check out my Berg Lake packing itemizing which is what I referred to when packing for this multi-day hike in Mt Assiniboine Park. Make certain that to take every your bear spray and mosquito repellent in your Mount Assiniboine backpacking journey, along with the identical outdated objects you’d take whereas tenting.

Closing Updated on July 7, 2023 by Hannah