This backpacking  trip is the ultimate opportunity to enjoy the backcountry and capture moments forever. The itinerary is off the beaten path and the scenery is better than the overcrowded popular Canadian Rockies classics. Be ready to experience the backcountry at its best visiting stunning creeks, waterfalls, alpine passes, bright blue lakes, glaciers and more.

 

"Height of the Rockies Park has internationally significant biodiversity, and sustains quality habitat for a wide variety of animals and plants, including grizzly bears, and mountain goats. It plays an important role in connecting a protected area network lying north and south along the Great Divide." BC Parks website.

 

Price

$1499.00/pp. + tax.

Maximum of backpackers: 6 backpackers

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Dates 

July 18th to 21st 2025

August 15th to 18th

September 5th to 8th

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Is this Trip for me?

This trip is rated as moderate to difficult; based on distance, elevation gain and terrain.

We will be hiking at a regular and steady pace and we will move to different campsites.

We will travel up to 17 kms per day with elevation gain up to 1000 meters carrying a backpack weighting up to 16 kg (35 lbs.). This itinerary allows us to use the same campgrounds multiple nights(2) and gives us the opportunity to explore this stunning areas with day hikes.

Participants will be carrying personal clothing and gear, and equitable share of group gear and goods (food, tents, stoves, fuel, etc.).

We will travel on rough terrain where the trails are not always defined. We will have to cross creeks and bushwhack a little bit. 

Prior backpacking experience is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended. You must be in good physical condition and it it suggested that you train prior to this trip.​

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Itinerary

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Duration: 3 nights/4 days + 1 evening meeting

Location: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park.

 

Evening meeting and introductions
This evening meeting between the guides and the backpackers is meant for introductions and to overview the itinerary. We will also review the participants' equipment and chat over the trip details. You will need to read, understand and sign the waiver prior to the activity. There will be enough time after the meeting for last minute gear purchase if applicable.
Duration: Maximum 1h30.

 

Day 1: Let the adventure begins!
We will leave Banff early and head west using the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) through the beautiful Bow Valley. We will then head south through stunning Kootenay National Park. We will make a stop along the way to stretch our legs, use the toilets and admire the scenery. We will complete the journey using secondary roads to make it to our trailhead.
Duration: Driving time is approximately 3 hours.

Departure. Altitude 1356m

 

We start hiking at the bottom of the valley and shortly reach Joffre creek which we will have to cross right away. We better take off our boots! The path then climbs quickly along the narrow valley and Joffre creek. The journey takes place mainly in the forest. We will cross a few ravines and streams where the view is magnificent and where it is good to fill your bottle with fresh water. The trail is mostly steep with intermittent graded sections. It is very interesting to see the change in vegetation linked to the rise in altitude. After good efforts, we finally arrived at camp, just before Sylvan Pass. It is in an open meadow amongst small trees where the landscape is superb.
Total distance: 12 kilometers
Elevation gain: 1000 meters.
Altitude lost: 100 meters.
Duration: maximum 7 hours.

 

Day 2: Limestone lakes
After a good nutritious breakfast, we will slowly get ready and head to our next campsite for the next couple of nights. Depending on the weather, we will choose between 2 routes to get to our destination. One suggests following a ridge and the other suggests staying at the bottom of the valley. Both options are excellent and each offer extraordinary panoramas. If possible, we will try to use both options as we will come back in that direction on the last day.
Limestone Lakes are so beautiful and unique and the area offers a visual paradise. We will have the chance to explore this vast area filled with little treasures. We will set up camp a little further back from the lake in order to preserve the precious flora of this place and to be sheltered from the wind. This will be our camp for 2 nights.

We suggest a little exploration for the remainder of the day. With our light daypack, we can enjoy the best of the eastern section of this area where water and vegetation provide a great habitat for fauna and flora.

Total distance: 7-8 kilometers
Elevation gain: 370- 620m
Altitude lost: 250-550m.
Duration: maximum 5 hours.

Exploration: Approximate distance: 5 km, Maximum gain of 300 meters.

 

Day 3: Limestone lakes - Exploration
We can take it easy this morning as we don't have to move camps. This day will be dedicated to exploring the best spots of the area while using a light day pack. 
Recommended plan for the day: Exploring the upper lakes to the west.
We will walk along the lower and upper lakes and get the best out of this breathtaking area. We can take our time to analyze the fauna, flora, glaciers, panoramas and to capture the best memories. 
Distance, duration and altitude gain: variable depending on the exploration chosen that day.
Possibility: maximum distance of 9 km, Maximum gain of 500 meters.

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Day 4: Return home.
After beautiful moments spent in this surreal backcountry setting, we have to pack up and return to Banff. Weather depending, we will most likely be able to use a different path to discover new facets of this area that has so much to offer.
We need to prepare early as a long day of hiking awaits us. The trail introduces us to surprising geology and pretty flora. For the second portion of the journey, we will use the same trail as on our first day. It’s always interesting to revisit a trail from another angle. The drive provides such great scenery that you might not even sleep after all this great effort. Good work!

Total distance: 17 kilometers

Elevation gain: 360m.

Elevation loss: 1200m.

Duration: maximum 8 hours.

Driving time is approximately 3 hours.

 

What's Included

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Professional Hiking Guide

Our Hiking Guide has 12 years exploring the Canadian Rocky Mountains and some other parts of the continent. He is a certified Hiking Guide of the ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides). He is also a member of the IGA (Interpretive Guide Association) and an accredited Wilderness First Responder.

Complementary certifications: ACMG Hiking Guide Winter Travel, AST1 (Avalanche Safety Training Level 1).

Your guide speaks 3 languages: French, English and Spanish.

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Gear

We provide all cooking equipment, tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads for the group. Additionally, the guide has emergency communication devices, bear spray, water purification filters, and an emergency first aid kit suitable for remote areas. You will need to bring your own expedition equipment (see below) and personal clothing.

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Food

We provide all meals and snacks on this trip; from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. We make healthy and nutritious meals to keep you energized throughout the whole trip . You will be consulted for food preferences and allergies upon booking.

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Transportation

We provide transportation from your accommodation in Banff to the trailhead and back. Different pick-up locations can be discussed as well.

 

Camping and parks fees

The backcountry camping fees as well as the Park ‘Wilderness Pass’ are included. 

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Having the right gear is key to safety in the mountains. We have to be ready for the Rockies' unpredictable weather and also to be ready to stay warm in case of emergency. Here's a list of the gear you need to bring:

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Footwear

• Hiking boots: ​You need hiking boots with a great ankle support, good tread and sturdy soles. They also have to be waterproof. Make sure you spend time to get used to them and that they are broken in before the trip. Uncomfortable boots could literally ruin your trip. 

• Light Footwear: Crocs, active sandals or running shoes for the occasional creek crossing and use around camp.

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Gaiters(optional)

• ​Gaiters are really helpful, especially in early and late season and when encountering snow, rain or dew. They will help keep your socks and your boots dry and they will prevent the debris from getting stuck in your boots.

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Clothing

Layers, layers, layers!

• Socks​

  • Wearing an appropriate pair of socks can make a big difference on your footwear fit and comfort during the hike.  

  • Good choice: wool hiking socks. ​

  • Bring at least 3 pairs.

• Base layer: short or long sleeves. 

  • Good choice: merino wool, synthetic materials.​

• Mid-layer 1: Medium weight (i.e. fleece, wool).

• Mid-layer 2: Thick layer (i.e. thick fleece, down jacket)

• Waterproof Jacket: with hood.

  • Good choice: Gore-Tex or equivalent.

• Light weight pants or convertibles. 

  • Good choice: nylon.

  • No jeans.

• Gloves or mittens.

  • Good choice: Gore-Tex or equivalent.

• Sunhat or cap.

• Hat/Tuque, ear warmers or Buff.

• Waterproof pants.

  • Good choice: with side zippers, Gore-Tex or equivalent.​​​

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Gear

• Large Backpack: 55 to 75 L. Keep in mind that you will be transporting your fair share of group camping gear and food(usually 10-20L of space)

• Pack Cover: You need to keep your gear dry at all time so a cover big enough to protect the entire outside of your pack. It is also recommended to put your gear in dry bags or whichever plastic bags.

• Sleeping Bag: We recommend a 3 season sleeping bag with a rating of 0ºC to –9ºC. At any time of the year, it is frequent to encounter cold temperatures that can drop below freezing at night.

• Sleeping Mat – Lightweight “Therm-a-rest” mats are recommended. They should be at least the length of you body. 

• Pillow – A small, compressible pillow or a spare stuff sack into which you can stuff extra clothes to create a pillow.

• Trekking poles: helps reduce impact on knees and back, specially on the way down. Must be collapsible.

• Water Bottle/bladder: 1-2 Liters capacity.

• Sunglasses with 100% UV protection (with a hard case recommended).

• Headlamp: Make sure you have fresh batteries. 

• Sunscreen and lip balm: Strong with UV protection.

• Personal toiletries including hand sanitizer: keep to minimum and chose unscented products.
• Mosquito repellant​​​

• Personal First Aid Kit – Our guide carries a group first aid kit so keep this small. Band-Aids, blister care, Tylenol/ibuprofen, etc.

 

If you are missing any of the above, contact us to see if we can provide it for you.