sunshine meadows to mt. assiniboine.
The back country of Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park on the Alberta / BC border is a real camper’s paradise. Wide open fields, mountain ranges, lakes, and boulder gardens litter the path between the highest ski lift at Sunshine Ski Resort and Mt. Assiniboine, the “Matterhorn” of the Rockies. Mt. Assiniboine is one of the more isolated peaks in the southern Canadian Rockies, with either a helicopter ride in or a 29 km hike awaiting any visitor. There are plenty of options for an overnight stay on the lengthy hike in. Many times of the year these backcountry camping areas are empty, and can leave you completely alone with nature. Pack enough food for at least 4-5 days of camping & hiking and be prepared for all weather elements, even in the summer. High winds, rain, hail, sleet, snow are not uncommon in the mountains and while there are sheltered sections of the trail, the majority of this hike will leave you exposed.
The trail begins at the top of Sunshine Meadows. You can either hike up here from the Sunshine Ski Resort parking lot below or get a lift with a shuttle service that will take you right to the top of the chairlifts for $25 (whitemountainadventures). The trail starts off with a moderate incline that, while carrying your heaviest backpack of the trip, may plant seeds of doubt into a less experience hiker and their endurance levels. Stick with it. The trail flattens out after awhile and you will begin to get used to the heavier load on your back. The scenery in Sunshine Meadows is fantastic with wide open views of the surrounding landscape. The first campsite available is at Howard Douglas Lake (reserve ahead of time), about 6 kilometers in. If you're really worn out at this point then it serves it's purpose as a convenient resting point along the route. If you have some extra energy and plenty of daylight then push on, the Howard Douglas campsite is usually wet and not much to look at.
Citadel Pass is one of the first "major" highlights of the hike, at approximately 9.3 kilometers in. After crossing, be sure to stay on the Og Lake / Assiniboine trail down the valley along a set of switchbacks. At the bottom of the valley, exiting the main trail on the right, is the Porcupine Campground. It's a long hike down (and back up in the morning) but Porcupine is a nice, sheltered campground with a great spring running alongside the trail to fill up water. This is BC now so the campsite is on a first come first serve basis with a self-check in system. If you still have the extra energy and aren't ready to set up camp yet then press on to Og lake, avoiding the extra side trail down to Porcupine and the grueling hike out. Instead, stay on the main trail that stays halfway up the side of the valley and enter the Valley of the Rocks.
The Valley of the Rocks section of the trail is marked by boulders of all sizes in every direction, left over from an ancient landslide. There is NO water during this 6 kilometer section of the hike so make sure to stock up at the stream near Porcupine or at Howard Douglas Lake before you start. At the end of the Valley of the Rocks (22km) lies Og Lake and your first glimpse of Mt. Assiniboine. Here lies another self check-in campsite right next to the lake. You're exposed to high winds here but it's a great spot with beautiful views every way you look. There are a fair number of spots available here and while it does lie right on the main trail, it is not going to be nearly as busy as Lake Magog, most hikers final destination.
There are another 7 kilometers left before arriving at the Lake Magog campground. Don't over exert yourself making the final push, there are tonnes of great day hikes in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park that are waiting for you after your arrival. There are also a few amenities available at the nearby Assiniboine Lodge (shower, phone, towels, etc..). There are also a limited number of smaller cabins dotted around the area available for rent. Get whatever your night's accommodation is going to be set up, pat yourself on the back, and enjoy one of Canada's more pristine, yet still accessible wildernesses.
Don't forget to take a quick pic of you and your campsite, goofy face optional...
