Hiking Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
You can never have too many parks on your list of places to see in Canada. And one of my favourite Canadian parks is Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park! I was able to visit here for the first time this year with a few friends from hight school and it was absolutely stunning, I will definitely be revisiting this place.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is a mountain range in Alberta and British Columbia. It's one of the best backpacking trips in Canada, so get ready to explore!
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is a popular destination for hikers and climbers alike, as well as those who just want to walk along one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Canada. The park has over 100 kilometers (62 miles) of hiking trails that wind up into the mountains and down through valleys, allowing you to see many different landscapes along your journey.
Along the Assiniboine Pass trail
The best time of year to visit Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park depends on what you're looking for: if you're interested in doing some rock climbing or backpacking, plan your trip for mid to late summer when temperatures are warm enough for comfortable hiking. If seeing some wildlife is more important than experiencing extreme heat or cold temperatures at night (and waking up early), then visiting during late spring through early fall might be better suited for your needs—the low point being around -10 Celsius (-14 Fahrenheit), while high points can reach +25 Celsius (+77 Fahrenheit).
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is a wilderness that can only be reached by hiking, horseback riding or helicopter. This remote park, which is named after the mountain of the same name, has access to some of the most spectacular views on earth. Along with its impressive mountains and lakes, it also boasts some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in western Canada.
You can hike or backpack around Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in several ways.
Day Hike: If you want to get a taste of the park, but don't have time for a multi-day trek, the day hikes are perfect for you. You'll be able to see many things on your long hike and return home with plenty of stories to share!
Backpacking: If you're looking for something longer than just a day, backpacking is another option that will let you explore all kinds of terrain and wildlife within the park's boundaries. You can backpack anywhere from one night up to seven nights.
Hut Pass: If neither of these options sounds appealing or feasible for your schedule, consider purchasing a hut pass instead! This gets rid of any logistical concerns associated with planning an outdoor excursion during your vacation time so that all that's left is enjoying yourself surrounded by nature's beauty!
As one of the best backpacking trips in Canada, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park boasts stunning views and plenty of trails to explore. You can hike for a day or several days, with options ranging from easy to challenging. There are also huts and a lodge within the park if you’re looking for accommodation rather than sleeping under the stars. The Assiniboine Lodge is located near the campsites at Lake Magog and has a restaurant where you can get baked goods, tea, beer and wine. Visitors often enjoy sitting on their deck overlooking Lake Magog to enjoy tea time while eating a meal.
Assiniboine Lodge
One of the huts at Assiniboine Lodge
In the first day of our park visit, we hiked along Assiniboine Pass to Lake Magog, which has gorgeous views of “the Matterhorn of Canada”. The pass is a popular hike in the park and it was easy to see why. From this vantage point you can get a great view of Mount Assiniboine. It's also an excellent place to spot wildlife such as marmots!
The Nublet is a short hike from the campground and offers a great view of sunset over the three lakes. You can also see Mount Assiniboine from the summit which gives you amazing views of its twin peaks and ridges.
The iconic view of Mount Assiniboine from The Nublet
My friend, Isabelo, and his Pentax 6x7
Enjoying a dinner in the mountains
We spent two nights at Lake Magog, spending the last night before the hike stargazing before heading over Wonder Pass Trail back to our trailhead.
We then had to ascend on our hike back and made it to the top and enjoyed being able to see the lake below us while taking in the awesome views of surrounding mountains. After spending some time on top, we continued on our way back down the mountain along the trail along the Wonder Pass Trail.
A view along Wonder Pass
By the end of the hike, we were blistered, dehydrated and exhausted but thoroughly satisfied with the experience. We drove back to Banff and went out for burgers before collapsing to sleep at our hostel.
One last look from the parking lot
