Day Hike - Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

Updated 1/14/2020:

Meet 10:30am with cargo ready at Mt Shark helipad, for 11am checkin

Mt Shark helipad is located S. of Canmore AB, about 1 hr

Updated 5/17/20:  TRIP WILL BE CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19 HEALTH/SAFETY RISK ISSUES (SMALL SHARED HUT, HELI, ETC).  FULL REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED TO ALL PARTICIPANTS.

4/24 Leader not accepting new permission requests while park closed to 6/19 (for overnight use) per BC provincial order and international border crossing is closed, and until COVID-19 health and safety risks reassessed and improved per Mountaineers and BC official guidance.

Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park (overnight) Facilities and services closed until June 19, 2020 DUE TO BC Provincial ORDER. 

See  http://bcparks.ca/advisories/2020/orders/20200408-BCParks-Executive-Directors-Order-Full-Closure.pdf

5/1 Overnight re-opening & closure status updates at:  http://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/mt_assiniboine/

IMPORTANT NOTE:  US/Canada border crossings temporarily closed for non-essential travel (ie recreation & tourism) due to COVID-319.   Leader will update border crossing status and advise if trip will be rescheduled.  Crossing info/updates at:  https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/pm-covid19-eng.html . 

5/1 border crossing update (closed):  https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

MOUNTAINEER MEMBER PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY. 

NO NEW PERMISSION REQUESTS  DURING PARK/BORDER CLOSURE:  LEADER PERMISSION WILL BE REQUIRED.  Use leader permission link and leader will follow up with brief questionnaire. A current passport, valid during trip dates, is required prior to leader approval. 

Mt. Assiniboine Prov Park image gallery:  https://www.gettyimages.fi/photos/mt-assiniboine-provincial-park?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=mt%20assiniboine%20provincial%20park

ike/photo and blog links:  https://www.inafarawayland.com/hiking-guide-mount-assiniboine-provincial-park/

https  ://leerentz.wordpress.com/tag/mount-assiniboine/

see Assiniboine Day 1-3 at http://taylorduncanphotography.com/blog/a-week-in-the-banff-national-park-area

Payment for participant hut space cost is due at time of registration.   Hut trip fee is $100US for 4-nights hut space and shared cost of presto logs (for heating hut).  Hut spaces are not refundable  (by lodge to leader or participants), once reserved by leader, unless a wait list participant will fill the space. US fees based on current exchange rate $1.30Cdn/$1US.

Additional local trip costs:  Round trip heli cost $360Cdn (approx $277US) +5% tax payable 5-7 months in advance to Mt Assiniboine Lodge, excess cargo weight ($3Cdn, per pound) inbound and/or outbound flight, and personal purchases at Mt Assiniboine Lodge (afternoon tea snack, beer, wine). 

Drive time to Banff or Canmore, 11-12 hours from Seattle area.  Camp, B&B or motel accommodations are recommended night prior to heli flight day.  1 hour drive from Canmore to Mt. Shark helipad.

Trip leader is very familiar with trail hikes and the abundant photo opportunities, after several trips.  Fall larch season is especially beautiful for photography.

Photograph autumn colors and dramatic mountain scenery in Canadian Rockies' spectacular setting of Mt Assiniboine, the "Matterhorn of the Rockies." Moderate day hikes from backcountry huts to photograph high peaks, lakes, glaciers, meadows, cascading streams, golden larch-covered slopes and wildlife.  Sunrise and evening (star trails, aurora) photo opps possible near huts, lodge and Lake Magog.

We'll hike 5-11 miles (700-2,000' gain) each day from our backcountry hut base 7200,’  at leisurely to moderate pace, with short to extended stops for photography and enjoyment of nature.  Our trails include Sunburst Valley lakes (Sunburst, Cerulean, Elizabeth) and Chuck's Ridge, Nublet to Nub Peak summit, Windy Ridge, Wonder Pass and Wonder (Siri's) Lookout.  Carry personal bear spray.   Be prepared for temps  25-70F (near freezing nights).   

Daily hike itinerary (days 2-4 may be interchanged): day 1 - Wonder Pass and if time Wonder (Siri's) Lookout) 5-7.8mi  mi rt, 700'-1070' gain; day 2 - Sunburst Valley circuit (Sunburst, Cerulean, Elizabeth Lks) and Chuck's Ridge) 5.4mi+ rt, 650' gain;  Day 3 - Nub Peak, Nublet, 7mi rt, 900-1800' gain; day 4 - Og Valley East via Og Pass to Windy Ridge - 8.4mi rt 1620' gain; day 5 - Wonder Pass and Wonder (Siri) Lookout - 7.8mi rt 1070' gain.  Depending on conditions, we'll aim for daily sunrise/early morning light at Lake Magog and nearby tarns; evening light (starry skies and trails, aurora) near Lake Magog.

We'll be staying in one of the Naiset huts, likely shared with other people.  Naiset hut facilities include 5/6/8 person with padded bunks, wood stoves, cooking shelter and water supply nearby, pit/composting toilets.  The huts are located about 10 minutes via trail from the lodge.   More hut info:  https://assiniboinelodge.com/what-naiset-huts

See Outdoor Photographer, December 2019 issue:  Cover Shot of Mt Assiniboine, Sunburst Peak and Cerulean Lake, and page 10 info.  You could be there this September!

MORE PHOTO HIKES IN CANADIAN ROCKIES:  Consider extending your visit to Canadian Rockies  and golden larch season:  explore on your own the abundant scenic opportunities in nearby parks or look for 2-3 day September photo hike trips to premier scenic larch trails in Banff NP/Lake Louise and Kananaskis (S of Canmore), September 18-21 prior to  Mt Assiniboine trip.

Hiking guidebook:  Canadian Rockies Trail Guide (Patton and Robinson).