The trek to stand at the foot of Mount Assiniboine, a Canadian Rockies icon, is an exciting adventure. Because of the breathtaking scenery around Mount Assiniboine, it is one of the best backcountry adventures in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. The revered provincial park is home to blooming wildflowers, roaming bears, and towering mountains.
The magnificent peak is frequently referred to as “The Matterhorn of the Rockies,” and it makes sense why. Standing tall in the shape of a pyramid, the mountain represents the epitome of a perfect mountain peak. For more than a century, people have been drawn to Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and the surrounding mountains to enjoy their serene surroundings.
This provincial park is inaccessible by road, so visitors must hike, ride a horse, or arrive by chartered helicopter. This is how to exit a hike on Mount Assiniboine.
The Provincial Park of Mount Assiniboine
Mount Assiniboine is located near the border of British Columbia and Alberta and the Great Divide. Rising 1,525 meters (5,003 feet) above Lake Magog, at 3,618 meters, it is the highest peak in the Southern Continental Ranges of the Canadian Rockies. The town of Banff is 48 km to the southwest of it.
Due to its exceptional natural beauty, the provincial park—which was founded in 1928—was inducted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. The National Parks of Kootenay and Banff surround it. Compared to its neighboring parks, it is a small area of wilderness, covering 39,050 hectares.
How to Go to Assiniboine Mountain
In summer, there are two ways to get to Assiniboine Provincial Park. Visitors must take a chopper ride or hike as there are no roads leading into the park. Combining the two is a common choice; you fly in with a big pack and hike out.
Since there are no day-trip flights allowed and the closest parking lot is 25 km away, the majority of visitors will stay overnight in the park. This calls for a reservation at a campground, hut, or lodge, which can be difficult to get. However, there is little human impact in the area because of its remote location and small number of reservations. The effort needed to get to the gorgeous park is well worth it.
The Mount Assiniboine helicopter
To book a helicopter to Mount Assiniboine, there are two locations. Flying from Canmore or the Mount Shark Helipad in Kananaskis Country, which is located just past Mount Engadine Lodge, is an option for tourists. If you intend to fly in and out, the flight from Canmore is far more convenient, despite being more expensive. Limited spots are available due to the daily flight from Canmore, so make your reservation as soon as possible.
It’s a fifty-minute bumpy drive down the gravel Smith Dorrien Highway to the Mount Shark Helipad. On the other hand, you should park at the Mount Shark Helipad close to the trailhead if you intend to hike and fly. No matter which flight you select, each passenger is permitted to bring up to 40 pounds (18 kg) of luggage. Since flights are reserved one way, if you intend to travel in and out, the cost will need to be doubled.
The eight-minute flight from Mount Shark Helipad provides breathtaking views for travelers. Specifically, it boasts a fantastic view of Spray Lakes or Marvel Lake. The view of Marvel Lake is incredible, so we advise taking the left side of the helicopter when entering and the right side when leaving.
The flight service into Mount Assiniboine is provided by Alpine Helicopters located in Canmore. Nevertheless, reservations for flights must be made via the Mount Assiniboine Lodge. At the lodge, hut, or campsite, reservations are required for flights. To check flight availability or make a reservation, call the lodge; they will help you through the process.
Cost of flights to the Provincial Park of Mount Assiniboine
Once a reservation is confirmed, campers can book helicopter flights online. When making a reservation, a reservation number needs to be given. A $50 cancellation fee will be applied to any reservations made without a working camping confirmation number.
The cost of a one-way flight to Mount Shark is $205 per person plus 5% tax.
Flight to Canmore: $235 per person, one-way, plus 5% tax (limited seats available, as this is a single flight).
Only the flying gear costs $5 per pound for each one-way flight (tax included).
Overweight baggage costs $5 per pound for each one-way flight (tax included).
*Every visitor flying in from Mount Shark or hiking must purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass in order to leave a car at the trailhead or heliport.
The Assiniboine Mountain Trek
Hike into the park if you’d rather take a more cost-effective, eco-friendly, or peaceful route. We would be sad to miss the hike, and it’s a beautiful way to get to the park. There are two hiking routes that hikers can take to get to the park. There are two starting points for the route: the Mt Shark Trailhead in Kananaskis Country and Sunshine Village in Banff.
The 30-kilometer route from Sunshine Village can vary since you can cut several kilometers by taking the picturesque gondola. Although it is about a 25-kilometer journey from the Mt. Shark Trailhead. The easiest hike to Mount Assiniboine is thought to start from Sunshine Village and gain less elevation.
Given their comparable lengths, neither one is inherently superior to the other. Combining the two, a well-liked multi-day route arrives via Sunshine Village and leaves from the Mt Shark Trailhead. This is a point-to-point hike, so you’ll need two vehicles or other plans. A few hikers take the Smith Dorrien Highway and hitchhike back to Canmore.
Rather than making the entire trip in a single day, there are multiple opportunities to camp along the way on both routes. It is possible, though, to hike in and out in a single day if you have strong legs.
The hike from Sunshine Village to Mount Assiniboine
Although it is longer, the route from Sunshine Village is technically simpler. Hikers have two choices at the trailhead: hike the access road, which will increase the hike’s elevation gain by 6.5 km and 500 meters, or take the picturesque gondola to Sunshine Meadows.
Og Lake and Assiniboine Mountain You can hike into Assiniboine in a single, long day with the help of the gondola, which costs about $40 CAD. Having said that, the majority of hikers will camp at Magog Lake or Porcupine Creek. The hike from Sunshine is longer than the one from Mount Shark, but the first part of the route is much less taxing and offers more breathtaking views.
Mount Assiniboine to Mount Shark Trail
Traveling down the Smith Dorrien Highway, the Mount Shark Trailhead and parking area are located 40km south of Canmore. Although it’s a gravel road with occasional dust and corrugations, even a small car can manage it. There is enough room in the spacious parking lot for every hiker.
Mount Shark Trail hiking Starting along the same trail, there are two routes that lead to Assiniboine from the Mt Shark Parking Lot. Following an old road, the first section of the trail stays the same for both routes and leads to the Bryant Creek Warden Cabin and Campsite.
Because it’s easy to navigate and wide, you can go through the distance quickly. On the first day, there are three campgrounds to choose from: McBrides Camp (BR14), Marvel Lake Campground (BR13), and Big Springs Campground (BR9), which is 9.6 kilometers away.
There are two options from the Bryant Creek Shelter for hikers and campers along the trail. Wonder Pass and Assiniboine Pass are the two choices.
Through Assiniboine Pass, Mount Shark To Mount Assiniboine
Since it’s the simplest route, this is the most taken to reach the Assiniboine. It is not nearly as picturesque as the other two hiking trails, though. The trail heads northwest from the last campsite until it reaches the short, steep climb that crosses Assiniboine Pass.
Due to its prime grizzly habitat, the route is closed to hikers from August to September. Hikers can still use the horse trail, a narrow single track through the forest. It should be mentioned that the route is noisy overhead and takes the same approach as the helicopters.
Wonder Pass From Mount Shark To Mount Assiniboine
The most picturesque route to and from Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is via Wonder Pass. Additionally, it is the most direct path to Assiniboine Lodge or the Naiset Huts. The Marvel Lake Campground trail leads to the trail, which veers off from the Bryant Creek Warden’s Hut.
The trail gradually climbs in elevation as it continues along Marvel Lake’s west side from the campground or Warden Cabin. Along the route, vistas of Marvel Lake and the breathtaking valley become available.
There are several switchbacks on the steep ascent to the pass. The trail is in good shape and the climb isn’t technical, but an hour of hiking is a serious workout, especially if you’re carrying a big backpack.
Views of the park open up once you reach the summit of the pass, and they descend through a valley of larches to Og Lake, Assiniboine Lodge, and the Naiset Huts. One of the park’s highlights, the pass offers an excellent day hike or way to get out of the central area. Still, it’s a strenuous one-day hike, covering 27 km to the campground and an elevation gain of about 1,000 meters.
The Most Beautiful Path
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park’s most picturesque path is a point-to-point thru-hike from Sunshine Village to the Mt Shark trailhead, or the other way around. Since Sunshine Village offers more scenery than Bryant Creek and Assiniboine Pass, this route takes that route.
Natasha Assiniboine Backpack The Assiniboine trail departs at Mt. Shark, crossing Wonder Pass and re-joining the Bryant Creek trailhead. Hikers can arrange a hiker shuttle service with White Mountain Adventures and take a shuttle from Banff to Sunshine Village. The distance traveled on this route is about 53 km.
A Mount Assiniboine trail run
By all means, I would never advise the novice to do this. Actually, it is primarily limited to park veterans or locals who are able to hike long distances at high altitudes in a single day. Even though I was unable to make the cutoff list this year, I fully intend to do so the following year; we will revise our plan as soon as we have that information.
The main issue with trail running, though, is that it puts you in the middle of the park’s main area during the day. This implies that the idyllic moments of dawn or early morning will be gone. Therefore, if you’re interested in backcountry travel and trail running, that would be your best bet. It’s an amazing experience to spend the night at the base of Mount Assiniboine.
Accommodations In Mount Assiniboine
The only campground in the central region of Assiniboine Provincial Park is located at Magog Lake. Because it is the most plentiful, it is the most preferred choice for an overnight stay. This place charges $10 per camper per night for reservations, on top of the online booking fee. Because they sell out every season, reservations must be made well in advance. Reserve a campsite over the phone at 1-800-689-9025 or on the camp reservation website of BC Parks.
Reservations can be made up to four months ahead of time. They go quickly, so I’d advise making a reservation as soon as you can! About 85 walk-in, wilderness campsites can be found in Assiniboine Provincial Park. During the summer, these locations are in great demand and sell out most nights.
Og Lake is in Assiniboine Provincial Park, not in the core area, but if you plan to enter via Sunshine Village, you will need to make reservations. During the busiest months (June 26 to September 30), reservations are necessary for any overnight stays in the central region of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park (Og Lake and Lake Magog campgrounds).
If you are unable to get a reservation in the central area, it may also be an option, though getting there will involve a short day hike. Every campsite has a long drop toilet, a water source, and bear bins.
Naiset Huts
Almost a century ago, in 1925, A.O. Wheeler, the founder of the Alpine Club of Canada, constructed five Naiset Huts. Situated just below Wonder Pass, the huts are close to the lodge and the park ranger cabin. Every hut is a one-room, wood-burning cabin with three to eight beds that can be found inside.
We lodged at the Assiniboine Naiset Hut Forget Me Not Naiset Huts. The brand-new Wonder Lodge Cooking Shelter, a shared area with tables, pots and pans, is located next to the hut. Huts now need to be reserved in full. These days, reservations for the huts must be made in full. Huts can have five, six, or eight beds, and they cost $150, $180, or $240 per night depending on the size.
In the summer and winter, reservations must be made well in advance, as every night is sold out. The Assiniboine Lodge accepts reservations by phone or email. (+1 403-678-2883), which is the number to call when reservations are open. Throughout the season, they’ll also occasionally list openings and cancellations on their website.
Assiniboine’s Wonder Cooking Hut Despite all of COVID’s drawbacks, there was one benefit. Since BC Parks required visitors to reserve the huts privately and many were forced to cancel their reservations, we were fortunate to be able to secure the Forget-Me-Not hut. To have a private hut in mid-September, complete with a bunk bed and a warm wood stove, while the snow gently fell outside.
Even if you intend to hike in and/or out, you must schedule your stay to coincide with the helicopter schedule. Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are when the helicopter is in operation (long weekends see Mondays instead of Sundays).
Assiniboine Lodge
The Assiniboine Lodge is far more opulent than camping and costs far more than the other two options combined. With views of Mount Assiniboine and Lake Magog, the lodge is in an incredible location, making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The cost of a room can range from $395 to $5800 CAD per person, depending on whether it is a cabin or a lodge room. There are no helicopter flights included.
In addition to having hot showers, flush toilets, and saunas, all meals are included! It’s as good as it gets in the middle of nowhere, in the wilderness. Though reservations are made through the lodge office, they sell out nearly a year in advance, despite the high price. For almost anyone who is fortunate enough to get a reservation, it’s a dream stay.
Top Mount Assiniboine Trails and Lookout Points
The park is great for hiking and photography, so you don’t just hike in and out of it. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park has reasonably easy-to-follow, clearly marked trails.
The Nub/Nublet
One of the most recognizable vistas in the Canadian Rockies is the one seen from the top of Niblet. Hikers can see Mount Assiniboine, Lake Magog, Cerulean Lake, Sunburst Lake, and Sunburst Mountain from the rocky outcropping. It was also mentioned in Alec Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins’ “The Edge.” (Well worth watching!)
The hike is short, taking about two hours total round trip. There are two trails leading to the viewpoint—one from Cerulean Lake and the other from the lodge—so the hike can be completed in a loop.
Hiking to Cerulean Lake, up to the Nublet, and back to the lodge is something we recommend. Hikers can proceed ridgeward from the Nublet to the summit of Nub Peak. The 9.2 km ascent to Nub Peak from the lodge gains 615 meters in altitude.
Wonder Pass
The breathtaking view of one of British Columbia’s most exquisite lakes, Lake Magog, is right in front of the Assiniboine Lodge. When you return here, it will be impossible for you to overlook.
Sunburst Lake
The campsite is fifteen minutes’ walk from Sunburst Lake, which is situated beneath Sunburst Peak. Hiking there several times on your trip is well worth it.
Cerulean Lake
Adjacent to Sunburst Lake, Cerulean Lake is an exquisite lake offering breathtaking views of Sunburst Peak’s rock face.
Wonder Peak & The Towers
In Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, scramblers have two popular options to choose from. They are the Towers and Wonder Peak. These are located to the east of the park and provide breathtaking views of the central park area, Marvel Lake, and Mount Assiniboine.
How to Visit the Provincial Park of Mount Assiniboine
Reservations
Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible because they do sell out quickly. It makes no difference if you want to camp, stay in huts, or stay at a lodge. There aren’t many spaces available between these, which is fantastic because it keeps the number of people in the park to a minimum but makes getting a reservation challenging. The websites of Assiniboine Lodge and BC Parks have additional information.
Weather in the Canadian Rockies
In Banff, snowfall occurs throughout the year, so be ready for chilly, bad weather at all times. If you are planning to visit in June or September, be ready for some cold weather.
I advise dressing for any combination of sun, wind, rain, sleet, and snow, regardless of the forecast. It poured in the evening on our first day, turning to snow in the night as the temperature dropped.
Of course, since hiking with a pack is strenuous, you should still be ready for heat and sun exposure. When camping, our best recommendation is to bring appropriate clothing, a tarp, a sleeping bag, and don’t forget your rainfly!
Helicopters
We may be getting old and grumpy mountain people, but we don’t really like that helicopters fly right into the park. When the helicopters do fly, it makes a lot of noise in the middle of the day as they transport aspiring hikers into and out of the park.
Restricting the flight to lodge guests only might be the best course of action. Because of this, if you would rather be in a more natural setting, like the Berg Lake Trail, Lake O’Hara, or somewhere even more remote, it might be worthwhile to think about going on a different backcountry trip. Whether you’re going to be camping, staying in huts, or staying at the lodge, you should check the days that the helicopters fly and adjust your itinerary accordingly.
After securing a campground reservation, summer campers can schedule helicopter flights online. You will be required to enter your body weight and the confirmation number of your campground reservation when making a reservation. Each passenger is only permitted to bring 40 pounds of neatly packed luggage on each flight (winter visitors may also bring one pair of skis and poles). Should you go overweight, there is an additional bag fee of $5.00 per pound/flight.
Make sensible objectives in Mount Assiniboine
It’s advisable to keep plans and expectations in check. I wouldn’t recommend hiking the entire trail in a single day if you haven’t done much hiking in general or with a backpack.
The better, the earlier they begin. Rather than arriving in the dark and trying to set up a tent or check into my accommodations, I would prefer to arrive at the campsite and spend the afternoon or evening relaxing.
Don’t Overpack
Overpacking your backpack is not a sign of proper packing. You’ll be carrying all of this up a mountain, so you’ll want to minimize your weight.
Include any additional items that you might find useful in an emergency along with what you anticipate needing. (Items such as an emergency blanket, first aid kit, extra energy bar, and pocket knife).
Wildlife in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Experienced hikers are not the only ones who encounter wildlife. As is the case at Mount Assiniboine, visitors to the Canadian Rockies should be ready to encounter wildlife. Never venture outside without bear spray. Additionally, each member of the group needs to have their own bear spray; do not use one bear spray for everyone.
