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ROCKWALL TRAIL


Backpack the Rockwall Trail.
The Premier Trek in the Canadian Rockies

The Rockwall Trail is a 55 km (34 mile) trek in the Canadian Rockies. Traversing three alpine passes in Kootenay National Park, you'll hike through subalpine meadows, past impressive hanging glaciers, and around vibrant turquoise lakes. The trail’s defining feature is a single, massive limestone cliff, towering in some locations more than 900m (2953 feet) above the trail below. This hike is a truly remarkable experience!
Show up with only your personal gear and let us take care of the rest! Enjoy coffee served to your tent in the morning, delicious home made meals at night, and watch the sun set as you kick back and reconnect with nature.

Dates and Bookings

Adventure Dates 2025:

  • July 23 - 29
  • Please note: these dates are tentaive and will not be 100% confirmed until Parks Canada releases thier campsite booking in late January. If you sign up now, we will inform you of any date changes.

Disappointed the trips are sold out? Contact us to join our waitlist

Have a group of friends who want to get out? We can put together a private trip just for you! 

 

Adventure Rates:
  • Participants:

    CAD $1410 + applicable taxes

  • Information package will be given upon registration

  • We value small groups - limited to 6 adventurers

  • This is a co-ed trip

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Itinerary and Gear

Planned Itinerary

  • Day 1:
    Today is for the pre-trip meeting only. Our meeting will take place in person at 7pm in Canmore. Location TBD. We will make sure everyone has everything they need, introduce the group, laugh lots, and distribute the group gear. Virtual attendance is also an option.
  • Day 2:
    We will wake up full of excitement and anticipation. With a green mindset, we will carpool from Canmore, Alberta to the Paint Pots trailhead. Today will be spent exploring the vivid colours of the Paint Pots, the beautiful waterfalls, and the lush forests! We will rest our heads at the Helmet Falls campground – 14.3 km, 285m of elevation gain.
  • Day 3:
    Enjoy your morning coffee, pack your bag, and lace up your boots. Today we will get our first glimpse of the mind-blowing Rockwall and it's hanging glaciers. We will Take time to enjoy the views from Rockwall pass and learn about the surrounding area. We will spend the night at Tumbling Creek - 12 km, 475m elevation gain, 350m elevation loss.
  • Day 4:
    Sleep in and let your body rest. Today is a shorter day, although what it lacks in distance it makes up for in magnificence! Our route will go over another mountain pass and take us by several glacial lakes that calmly sit below the hanging glaciers. This is most certainly one of the most beautiful parts of the entire trail. We will spend the night at Numa Creek - 7.5 km, 320m elevation gain, 715m elevation loss.
  • Day 5:
    Today we get teased off the start with a surprisingly flat trail. Immediately after Numa Creek, a suddenly steep switchbacks transports you through the thick forest. Thankfully, our packs will be nice and light as we will have eaten the majority of our food by this point. Once we make it to Numa Pass the views are incredible to both the south and the north. We'll be able to see the bottom of the valley we just came from and Tumbling pass off in the distance! After we've conquered Numa Pass we only have a short distance to the most scenic campsite of the trail, Floe Lake - 10 km, 810m elevation gain, 315m elevation loss.
  • Day 6:
    After basking in the magnitude of the Rockwall reflecting in Floe Lake during breakfast, we'll start our last day. Heading back to civilization the trail switchbacks steeply, quickly losing most of the elevation gained on the previous day. Once back at the parking lot we will celebrate our success and enjoy a tasty supper as a group in Canmore or Banff, Alberta - 10.5 km, 715m elevation loss.
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Level of Difficulty

This trip is designed for those with an intermediate fitness level. Being self sufficient for 5 days will create a heavy pack. You should have the ability to carry ~40 lbs (18 kg) for up to 6 hours over 500 m elevation gain.

If you have the fitness level, minimal experience is needed for backpacking; let me teach you!

6 week hiking fitness program      Hiking Fitness Series  

Have questions swirling around, don't hesitate to contact me. I am here to help!

Wanting a little more help getting ready for this adventure? Get Outside has partnered with women-owned Omnia Movement & Performance based out of Canmore, AB. Chelsea will collaborate with you to develop a plan that will help you get the most out of your hike. Her programs are designed to help you physically and mentally prepare for all of the challenges you'll face along the trail, even those steep sections.

 

Gear, Food and Lodging

Included:

  • Backcountry skills learning
  • Wilderness pass for each night
  • Tents for camping - we prefer people from the same "bubble" share tents as some campgrounds have limited tent platforms. Strangers will not be paired together unless requested to help decrease pack weight
  • Amazingly delicious food from the evening on day 1 to lunch on the last day
  • The expertise from an ACMG Guide
  • All group gear - stoves, pots, food storage materials, water treatment, sunblock, bug spray
  • All safety equipment - bear spray, first aid kit, emergency communication device, and tarp

Participants must provide:

  • Accommodations the night before getting on the trail
  • Transportation to the trailhead

  • National Park Vehicle Pass (This can be purchased at a Parks gate or at the Parks Information Center)

  • Breakfast and lunch day 1 and supper on the last day
  • Personal Gear (Can be arranged for an additional fee)
    Personal Gear List  

Optional Reading

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