BACKCOUNTRY
VISITORS GUIDE
BANFF NATIONAL PARK
OF CANADA
CANADA
OF
Where to Go?
Reservations
When to Go?
The hiking season usually lasts from May to October.
From mid-May to late June, many passes are still
snow-bound with most trails accessible only at lower
elevations or on drier, south facing slopes. Trails tend
to be muddier during the spring. Towards the
middle of July, most passes are usually open.
Transportation
Trailheads can be difficult to get to without a vehicle.
Public transportation to outlying park trailheads is
limited. Park Information Centre staff can assist you
with information about available options.
The Basics
Select a trip which best suits your partys
abilities and experience, interests, equipment
and the time you have available.
The maximum group size is 10 people.
Familiarize yourself with the trail you have
selected.This includes using additional
reference guides and topographic maps. These
are available through the Friends of Banff
National Park.
Dogs
Water
Giardia lamblia and other water borne parasites are
spread by humans and some domestic and wild
animals. These parasites can be in any surface
water and may contaminate the water supply.
Boiling, filtering or treating the water is
recommended.
Permits
Playing it safe
Wildlife is Wild
Information Sources
Main Contacts
For Wilderness Passes, safety registrations (in
person only), trail reservations & information:
Banff Information Centre
224 Banff Avenue, Banff, AB
tel (403)762-1556; fax (403)762-1551
e-mail: banff.trails@pc.gc.ca
Lake Louise Information Centre
Samson Mall, Village of Lake Louise, AB
tel (403) 522-1264; fax (403) 522-1212
e-mail: LL.info@pc.gc.ca
Parks Canada-Calgary Service Centre
13 flr, 635-8 Avenue SW
tel (403) 292-4401
Additional Contacts
Banff National Park Website
More detailed trip planning information including:
weather, trail, road and avalanche reports
www.pc.gc.ca/banff
Trail Report tel (403) 762-1305
Weather Report tel (403) 762-2088.
Winter Avalanche Report tel (403) 762-1460.
Mountaineering Information:
Banff Warden Office tel (403) 762-1470
Lake Louise Warden Office tel (403) 522 -1220
Friends of Banff National Park
Retail outlets for guidebooks, topographic or
recreational maps
tel (403) 762-8918, www.friendsofbanff.com
Bears
ON THE TRAIL
What to Expect
Backcountry Camping
Sharing
the Trail
multi-purpose trail
sentier usages multiples
YIELD
CDEZ
Random Camping
If your route passes through a random camping
area make sure your campsite is a distance of 5 km
or more from the trailhead. Choose a campsite at
least 50 m off the trail and 70 m from the nearest
water source. The maximum length of stay at one
site is 3 consecutive days. Sleep well away from
food storage and cooking areas. If you have a fire,
remove all traces, including stone fire rings before
moving on.
Food Storage
To reduce your campsites attractiveness to bears,
all food, garbage, toiletries and cooking equipment
must be suspended from the food storage cables
provided at designated campsites. In random
camping areas, if you do not have a bear resistant
storage canister, find two stout trees and hang your
food at least 4 metres above the ground and
1.3 metres from each tree trunk (bring two 20 m
lengths of rope along with you). Please remember
that food left in vehicles may encourage damage by
bears. Avoid leaving excess food in your vehicle.
Cooking
and
Campfires
Consider campfires a luxury and bring a stove.
Campfires are not permitted in some backcountry
areas (see map on reverse). Keep your fire small and
use only deadfall. At designated campsites, fires are
permitted only in metal fire rings where
provided. Tend your fire at all times and ensure it is
completely out before moving on.
Washing
Wash well away from any lakes, streams or rivers
and keep the use of soap to a minimum. Even
biodegradable soaps are pollutants. When washing
dishes, strain out those last bits of food waste and
pack them out. Disperse grey water on land,
spraying it around over an area that is a good
distance from water sources and campsites.
Human Waste
Use the pit privies provided if possible. If there are
no facilities nearby, select a spot away from trails,
campsites and at least 70 m from water sources. Dig a
hole 12 to 16 cm deep with a stick, the heel of your
boot or a small trowel to reach the dark-coloured
biologically active soil layer. Fill the hole with soil
afterwarddo not pack it down. Use as little toilet
paper as possible. Pack out feminine hygiene
products.
Garbage
Please, if you pack it inpack it out. By law, you are
responsible for everything you take into the
backcountry and this includes garbage. Litter in the
backcountry is both unsightly and hazardous.
Animals may be injured by scavenging in garbage
left lying around. Do not dispose of garbage in pit
priviesit may attract animals.
Fishing
Horse Use
Be prepared to encounter horses, since many park
trails are shared with equestrians. Be aware that
some areas are frequented by commercially guided
horse trips. Park Information Centres have
information about guided day or overnight horse
trips in the park. Consult the Horse Users Guide
and the Banff Warden Office to obtain information
about a backcountry horse trip and required
permits and fees.
Trail Bicycling
Bicycling is only permitted on designated trails. All
other park trails are closed to bicycles. Ask for the
Banff National Park Mountain Biking and Cycling
Guide publication at Information Centres.
Backcountry Wardens
National park wardens conduct backcountry
patrols throughout the year. They are there to assist
you in case of emergency, provide information, and
ensure that the parks natural and cultural
resources are protected. Any park warden you
encounter in the backcountry will ask to see your
Wilderness Pass and Fishing Licence. Since their
duties require them to travel long distances, you
should not count on being able to find a warden in
case of emergency. Prepare to be self-reliant.
WAN
VE
Mount
Lyell
Lyell
Icefield
Mount
Erasmus
Mistaya
Lake
berr
Helen
Lake
Bo
w
La
ke
Crowfoot
Glacier
ow
pe
Pi
Ba15
ria
ctocier
i
V la
G
ar
Ck
Temple
Jo29
AN
dg
Ba ss
Pa
Cr31
Cr37
Jo18
Sawback
Lake
Cr15
Mount
Aylmer
Jo9
Ml22
Mi
Mount
Bourgeau
Sp6
ly
ste
ea
E5 H
W
BO
Cree
Bw10
VE
Sp16
Sp
k
ee
Cr
Fatigue
TR
y
ra
Ck A
AN
Sp23
Allenby
Pass
ASSINIBOINE
Br
nt
Br17
ya
PROVINCIAL
Sp35
Br14
Br13
PARK
Mount
Assiniboine
Lake
Gloria
HIGH
CA NA DA
WAY
COUNTRY
er
Riv
H
IS
IT BIA
BR UM
L
CO
MOUNT
KANANASKIS
TA
ER
LB
Citadel
Peak
RI
Br9
l
Cre
rve
ek
MaLake Owl
Lake
40
Mt Shark
Trailhead
ay
Spr
Marvel
Pass
762
Us15
er
Riv
Canmore
Sunshine
Ski Area
Su8
Mount
Rundle
ew
Egypt L.
Banff
Br
93
AY
Ck
E13
1a
Pilot
Mt.
Re16
Re21
Mount
Ball
Re
Mt.
Norquay
Ski
Area
PARK
dow
Sha.
Re14
L
a
de
h
Pharao
Tw7
Re6
Twin
Lakes
Lm31
Storm
Mt.
Lm20
ee
PA
NATIONAL
Ck
Cr
River
Lm22
Lm11
Lake
Minnewanka
Cascade
Mt.
Fm10
le
Bo1c
rth
Lm8
93
ek
VA L L
E
Ghost
Lm9
Cr6
t
For
Cre
AY
r
ve
B OW
L.
to
HW
Fm19
Elk
Lake
Ek13
ns
de
Ri
Castle Rockbound
Mt.
Lake
GHOST
RIVER
WILDERNESS
AREA
sca
h
Jo
AD
KOOTENAY
Flint's
Peak
Ca
HI
Boom
THIS IS NOT A
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP.
IT IS NOT SUITABLE
FOR ROUTE FINDING.
Bonnet
Peak
er
Jo19
Luellen
Lake
Ta6
Taylor
Lake
Assiniboine Loop 55 km
The trail begins and ends at the Mt. Shark
trailhead in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
Travel through three contiguous
protected areas and behold the beauty of
the sixth highest mountain in the
Canadian Rockies (Mt. Assiniboine).
Seasonal trail restrictions on Allenby
Pass and Assiniboine Pass during
buffalo berry season.
Campsites: Br 14 McBrides Camp
(night 1); Lake Magog Campground or
the BC Parks trail shelter, Mt. Assiniboine
Provincial Park (nights 2 and 3) where
separate BC Parks campground fees will
be collected on-site; Br 13 Marvel Lake, or
stay at the Bryant Creek trail shelter
(night 4).
Topographic maps: 82 J/14, 82 J/13. Gem
Trek recreational map: Banff and Mount
Assiniboine
Mountain Peak
Fm29
Pa10
Mount
Pulsatilla
Pass
Sk11
Moraine
Lake
PARK
Glacier
the
n
Pa
ee
Douglas
Lake
Dormer
Mt.
er
Riv
Mount
Douglas
AN
NATIONAL
Lake
O'Hara
as
kP
Cr
Merlin
Lake
Skoki
Lakes
Sk5
Lake
TR
Sn
Sk19
Lake
Louise
Lake
Louise
Trail Shelters
Cr
ow
Mount
Drummond
Cyclone
Mt.
Sk18
YOHO
Mount
Victoria
River
Deer
Red
ee
Louise
Ski Area
Field
Drummond
Glacier
93
Fires Permitted
(Note: Campground designation number indicates
approximate distance from nearest TRAILHEAD.
e.g. Lm9 is 9 km from trailhead)
Sn
Creek
AY
KW
Mount
Daley
CAMPGROUNDS
Ya Ha Tinda
Trailhead
Backcountry Lodges
eld
Tomahawk
Mt.
Mo16
ola
ke
Hiking Only
Hiking, Horse Use
Hiking, Commercial Horse Use
Hiking, Horse, Mountain Biking
Limited Access Road
Condor
Peak
Cl
Fish
Lakes
R
PA
ik
Icefi
La
er
Mount
McConnell
Wap
ut
FIELDS
He5
Hector
TRAILS
r
ve
Ri
t
wa
ar
Mo
18
u it o
ICE
Icefield
Katherine
Lake
Mo5
eek
Cr
Wapta
Cr
BANFF
NATIONAL
PARK
Devon
Lakes
k
ee
Peyto
Lake
a
Bl
Clearwater
Mt.
Sf
Cr
D
Glacelta
ier
Freshfield
Icefield
Martin
Lake
mite
Dolo
Mount
Freshfield
Icefall
Mt.
e Pa
ss
ian
Hows
ad
ee
AREA
Mount
Malloch
Isabella
Lake
5681710
5678510
5679356
5679110
5682330
5715400
5721888
5724000
5770382
5689661
5671610
5669106
5665610
5665410
5735139
5703280
5704900
5709414
5710081
5665092
5654809
5683367
5673910
5627882
5624720
MAP LEGEND
he
ve
Ri
Coronation
Mt.
Siffle
ur
r
Fo
Mount
Noyes
Chephren
Lake
s C
be ree
Mount
Chephren
ve
Ri
Mount
Forbes
Northings
612419
618620
619995
620920
588203
555500
555610
548300
507081
552259
578319
573804
576719
572219
544180
562661
567200
563298
566341
602964
587919
563523
571219
610597
611746
WILDERNESS
ya
sta
Mi
River
Mount
Sarbach
ws
Ho
Glac
Eastings
82 0/6
82 0/3
82 0/6
82 0/6
82 0/5
82 N/9
82 N/9
82 N/9
83 C/2
82 N/8
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 N/16
82 N/8
82 N/8
82 N/9
82 N/9
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 N/8
82 0/4
82 J/14
82 J/14
Universal Transverse Mercator Projection Zone 11 Datum NAD 83 (Bolded numbers are for military UTMS)
SIFFLEUR
Lake
d
In
ier
A
RT
Saskatchewan
Crossing
Gl9
BE
AL
H
IS
IT BIA
BR UM
L
CO
LOOKING FOR
TRIP IDEAS?
5661010
5662446
5681910
5676810
5683762
5690410
5752781
5714554
5683278
5688410
5688410
5693010
5681710
5682104
Mount Inglismaldie
Mount Costigan
The Narrows
Ghost Lakes
Mystic Valley
Molar Creek
Fish Lakes
Mosquito Creek
Norman Lake
Paradise Valley
Lost Horse Creek
Shadow Lake
Pharaoh Creek
Ball Pass Junction
Siffleur River
Hidden Lake
Baker Lake
Merlin Meadows
Red Deer Lakes
Mount Rundle
Howard Douglas
Taylor Lake
Twin Lakes
Birdwood
Leman Lake
Resevoir
N.
RI
ER
V
RI
SASKA
TCHE
582419
577142
595019
592219
589533
586619
511415
546234
581990
577019
576319
573619
609719
611002
NAME
Lm11
Lm20
Lm 22
Lm31
Mi22
Mo16
Mo18
Mo 5
No 5
Pa10
Re 6
Re 14
Re16
Re21
Sf
Sk 5
Sk11
Sk18
Sk19
Sp 6
Su 8
Ta 6
Tw 7
Us15
Us18
Lake
AN
EW
Mount
Wilson
5700300
5677203
5637159
5638903
5639892
5641943
5660210
5682910
5689502
5696064
5693710
ray
Amery
11
Baker Creek
an
ex
No 5
CH
AT
SK
SA
River
a Mount
r
d
Sun
s
Pas et
s
River
Cs
Al
Pinto Lake
Mount
Coleman
Mount
Saskatchewan
Northings
568600
580127
607078
604389
604026
601167
594319
602119
597596
586053
581419
Sp
93
l C
k
Castleguard
Mountain
RT
H
rra
E
G
FI Saskatchewan
Co
ie
lac
82 N/8
82 0/4
82 J/14
82 J/13
82 J/13
82 J/13
82 0/4
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 C/3
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 0/5
82 0/4
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 N/15
82 N/9
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/6
82 0/6
CAMPGROUNDS
ne
CE
LD
CO
ise
Mount
Athabasca
BI
LU
WILDERNESS AREA
Wildflower
Bow River / canoe
Big Springs
Marvel Lake
Mcbrides Camp
Allenby Junction
Brewster Creek
Cascade Bridge
Stony Creek
Flints Park
Block Lakes Junction
Castleguard
Healy Creek
Egypt Lake
Elk L. Summit
Mount Cockscomb
Mystic Junction
Sawback Lake
Glacier Lake
Hector Lake
Larrys Camp
Johnston Creek
Luellan Lake
Badger Pass Junction
Lake Minnewanka
Aylmer Canyon
sto
pta
Sunwa
Pass
Mount
Snowdome
Rive
PARK
NAME
Ba15
Bo1c
Br 9
Br 13
Br 14
Br17
Bw10
Cr 6
Cr 15
Cr 31
Cr37
Cs
E5
E 13
Ek13
Fm10
Fm 19
Fm29
Gl 9
He 5
Jo 9
Jo18
Jo19
Jo29
Lm 8
Lm 9
ad
NATIONAL
WHITE GOAT
Nigel
Pass
Mosq
JASPER
BACKCOUNTRY
Woodland Caribou
are a threatened
species, which are
sensitive to human
disturbance.
Please
Abraham
Lake
do not approach
them and, if feasible,
leave the area to
avoid disturbing
them. Your
observations are
important. Report
sightings to Park
Information Centres.
Us18
Burstall
Pass
Leman
Lake
PETER
LOUGHEED
Palliser
PROVINCIAL
HEIGHTPass
OF-THEROCKIES
PROVINCIAL
PARK
0
0
4
2
Kilometres
8
12
5
PARK
16
10
Miles
20