4-Day Guided Hiking Itinerary for Skoki Valley

• Day 1:

  Pre-trip meeting only: Canmore, AB

  We will have our pre-trip meeting at 5 p.m. in Canmore, Alberta. You will meet your guide here to review your gear and what is needed. Group gear and any required rentals will also be divided. You can ask any last-minute questions. We will then confirm a meeting time and carpool to the trailhead for the trip.

• Day 2:

  10 km - 600 meters gain, 100 m loss.

  Meet at the Fish Lake parking lot near Lake Louise Ski Resort. The hike will start on the Lake Louise ski-out; the travel is on a road as we climb upwards and start to take in the amazing scenery and incredible wildflowers.

  After the road, we will enter Corral Creek and go up to the Halfway Hut, as myths have it. This hut is haunted; let your guide tell you the story of this hut.

  After we pass the hut, we will enter Hidden Lakes campground and take in the beautiful scenery and the majestic sub-alpine bowl with Mount Richardson looming above. Once we set up camp, we will wander to Hidden Lake's shores.

• Day 3:

  8 km - 300 meters gain, 400 meters loss.

  Additional loop from Merlin Meadows Campground 5kms- 200m gain - 200 loss. (Day pack).

   From Hidden Lakes Campground, we will continue to Ptarmigan Lake, take in the vast expanses of sub-alpine beauty and an array of wildflowers, and make our way up the incredible Deception Pass.

  Once we reach the Pass, we will head down to Skoki Lodge. A short way past the lodge, we will set up camp in the lovely Merlin Meadows. After we get our tents up, we can explore the magical places and take in the beauty of Merlin Lake.

• Day 4:

  5 - 10 km - 300 - 700 meters elevation gain. 

  Today is a special day, it is a day we will truly unplug and enjoy the backcountry. 

  We will basecamp from Merlin Meadows, and we will enjoy lighter packs today, as we will be day hiking from Merlin Meadows Campground.

  After having a leisurely morning, savoring the views, alpine coffee and a delicious breakfast we will have a relaxing day exploring the area and learning from your guide about the history, flora and fauna. 

  Bring a book, today you can have some extra time to relax, unplug from all the distractions and demands of everyday life.

• Day 5:

  12 km - 300 m gain, 150 m loss Merlin Meadows - Baker Creek

  What a day we have in store today! We will wake up, enjoy our delicious breakfast and coffee, and get started on another beautiful hike.

  As we pass below Skoki Mountain, we will feel like we are out in the wild. A short way along the trail, we will come to yet another beautiful lake where we can set up our tents and admire a subalpine wetland. The flowers and wildlife that live here are truly unique.

• Day 6:

  13 km - 150m gain, 650m loss Baker Creek - Skoki Loop Trailhead

  Today, we will enjoy our last day away from real life and immerse ourselves in the beauty of Baker Creek. We will then descend back to the trailhead leisurely.

  From here, we can look forward to treating ourselves in Lake Louise! Here, we will say goodbye to our fantastic guide and feel good about completing a four-day backpacking trip in Banff National Park.

   

• Packing Tips:

  • Essentials: Tent, sleeping bag, rain gear, sturdy boots, water filter, first aid kit, and bear spray.
  • Food: Plan for 5 days of lightweight, non-perishable meals. Pack extra snacks for energy boosts along the way.
  • Water: Water sources are abundant, but make sure to treat or filter all water.
• Safety:

  • Be prepared for variable weather – mountain conditions can change quickly.
  • Follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the beauty of this wilderness trail.

Included:

• Backcountry skills learning
• 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, navigation and learning 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, supper on the last day
• Personal Gear (Can be arranged for an additional fee)
  Personal Gear List