Mt. Assiniboine Hiking Tour
Mount Assiniboine
Relaxed hiking at the foot of Mt. Assiniboine
6 Days/5 Nights
Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its meadows and easy hiking peaks which lie below the Matterhorn-like summit that towers above.
This relaxed hiking program is for those interested in experiencing four days of walking in this beautiful sub-alpine region. There are not many areas where it is possible to do this and yet avoid carrying the heavier backpack usually required to visit such a place.
Walk among flower-speckled meadows and turquoise lakes. Hike up through golden larches and along the ridges above. Take in the views from a sun-baked summit!
2008 Dates
June 23 - 27, July 7 - 11, July 21 - 25, August 18 - 22, September 8 - 12. Private departures available.
Cost
Meeting Place and Time
We will meet you at 7.00pm in the lobby of your hotel in Canmore on the evening of Day 1.
Program Itinerary
Day 1: Every one arrives in Canmore and we get together for the evening at 7:00. We’ll go over trip plans and equipment, check to see that you are properly outfitted for the expected conditions for the week ahead and answer any questions you might have. We’ll spend some time looking at maps of the area, discussing options and the weather forecast. Then we’ll return you to your hotel to make any final preparations for our departure the following day.
Day 2: Your guide will meet you at the hotel for breakfast, following which we’ll collect our gear, and head out to the heli-pad for the helicopter flight into Assiniboine. The ride into Assiniboine is always a dramatic one and after we arrive, we’ll spend some time settling in to one of the Naiset Cabins, take a bit of a break and then head out for the remainder of the day to explore a bit and get a feel for the area.
Day 3: There are numerous trails and scenic circuits to explore. A good outing is to Gog Lake Wonder Pass with the ridge walk to the summit of Wonder Peak an option if we find there's still energy to spare. The mountain scenery is always spectacular and depending on the season there will be wildflowers or flaming Larches to add to an already inspiring view. Then it's back to the Cabin for a cup of tea, followed by a hearty meal and a good rest. tomorrow.
Day 4: Today we will head off in a different direction - The Nub and Elizabeth Lake, Og Lake and Og Pass, Mt. Cautley. From high alpine meadows to rocky ridges, to crystal clear lakes and deeply shadowed forests, it's all here for us to explore!
Day 5: The last day in the area. We still have some time for a last walk before we fly home. We should be back in Canmore by mid-afternoon where a hot shower awaits. Spend the remainder of the afternoon on your own exploring Canmore or taking a well deserved rest. An evening in one of the local restaurants will cap off a rewarding and enjoyable week.
Day 6: Complimentary breakfast at the hotel.
How difficult is it? How fit and experienced need
you be?
This a relaxed walking program and the daily itinerary will be chosen based on the groups energy and aspirations. There is NO technical mountaineering involved in the ridge walking or easy summit.
Being in good shape for hill walking will significantly enhance enjoyment. Try to get out and do some walking and general fitness training before you come.
You will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, your camera, lunch and something to drink each day.
Guides and Group Size
White Mountain Adventures and its partner Yamnuska Mountain Adventures are licensed by Parks Canada and Alberta Provincial parks to conduct hiking tours in both National and Provincial Mountain Parks of the Canadian Rockies.
The minimum group size will be 4, maximum 10.
Accommodation and Meals
The first and last nights of each trip will be spent at the Westridge Country Inn (1719 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, tel. 1 800 268 0935, local 678 5221).
Rooms will be shared on a double occupancy basis (no supplement applies unless you wish to guarantee a single for yourself). Excess luggage can be left at our office. If you arrive earlier in the day, ask at reception for your room. Explain that you are with the "Yamnuska" group as we will have supplied them with a guest list.
At Assiniboine we will be staying in the Naiset Cabins. These are basic log cabins without indoor facilities. A sleeping mat is provided but we will be cooking on the porch with portable stoves, water and outhouse are nearby. There is no indoor plumbing or showers. You will be roughing it a bit.
We supply all meals and trail snacks from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 6 except for supper on Day 5 (guide's night off, group celebrates at restaurant). Food is pre-packed in Canmore and flown into Assiniboine with us. Please specify any special dietary requirements you have on your application so we can incorporate them into our menus.
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. Banff Airporter and Rocky Mountain Sky Shuttle offer frequent departures from Calgary Airport. Greyhound Bus Lines (1 800 661 8747) serves Canmore from points east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway. Call 609 0300 for taxis in Canmore.
General Equipment List
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
- 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.
- 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).
- SUNGLASSES
- WATER BOTTLE (1 Litre)
- SMALL BLISTER & FIRST AID KIT
- SUN BLOCK & LIP BALM
- INSECT REPELLENT
Hiking Clothing
- Wool or fleece HAT
- SUNHAT
- 3 TO 4 WARM LAYERED TOPS (1.Light weight polypro top. 2. medium or expedition weight polypropylene top. 3. fleece jacket or sweater
- T-SHIRT for warm, dry sunny days
- RAIN JACKET with HOOD (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow) (Rentals available)
- Light GLOVES or MITTS
- SOCKS, several changes. We suggest a wool blend for comfort.
- SHORT PANTS can be very comfortable for hiking; they should be quick drying, and preferably not cotton.
- HIKING PANTS (comfortable and quick drying, not cotton)
- RAIN PANTS (sufficient to withstand a day of rain or snow) (Rentals available)
- RUNNING SHOES OR OTHER LIGHT WEIGHT FOOTWEAR (backup in case you get blisters).
Optional Gear
- TREKKING POLES
- CAMERA AND SPARE FILM
Camping Gear (Glacier Views of the Rockies Camping Tour & Mount Assiniboine Adventure ONLY)
- SLEEPING BAG We recommend at least a '3 season' bag as temperatures can drop to below freezing at night. A bag with synthetic fill functions better in wet conditions. Make sure you bring a stuff sac that will reduce your bag to its minimum size (i.e. one with compression straps). This will provide enough space in your bag for everything else (rentals available).
- SLEEPING MAT Best is a 'Thermarest' mat; they have some great mats for this type of trip where we will be camping on quite hard surfaces (rentals available).
- PILLOW SLIP Rather then carrying a bulky pillow you can stuff this with extra clothing to make a serviceable pillow each night.
- Unbreakable PLATE, BOWL, MUG and EATING UTENSILS.
- FLASHLIGHT
Insurance in the National Parks
In Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park 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.
To Book
Please book as early as practical to avoid disappointment. Up to 8 weeks before the trip, we require a $592 CDN deposit including GST, after that, full payment is required. To avoid unnecessary cancellation penalties we suggest you take our cancellation insurance for an extra non-refundable $85, this must accompany your deposit. Please click on the next line to read information on booking conditions and cancellation penalties before booking.
For detailed Booking Instructions and Conditions, click here.
For a Booking and Credit Card Authorization form, 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!
