Mt
Assiniboine Park
At 3,618 metres, Mount Assiniboine bears a
striking resemblance to the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Upon the urging of the Alpine
Club of Canada, British Columbia set aside 5,120 hectares of the area on February 6, 1922
as Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. In 1973, the park was increased seven-fold to
its present size of 38,600 hectares.
The park is roughly triangular in shape. Apex of the
triangle is at the junction of the boundaries of Banff National Park, which forms the
eastern boundary, and Kootenay National Park, which forms the western boundary. The
southern boundary follows the height of land above Daer Creek and Extension Creek from
Kootenay National Park to the Mitchell River, then easterly to Banff National Park and the
Continental Divide.
Wilderness scenery in the park is as beautiful as any in the Canadian
Rockies - jagged peaks, shimmering lakes, glistening glaciers and sun-dappled alpine
meadows. A score of peaks in the park exceed 2,700 metres. Mount Assiniboine,
Mount Magog, Mount Sturdee, The Marshall and Lunette Peak all touch or exceed 3,100
metres. No point in the park is below 1,500 metres.
Lakes dot the park. The largest, Lake Magog, lies at the northern
foot of Mount Assiniboine. Boreal forests of spruce, intermixed with stands of
alpine fir and lodgepole pine, cover the lower elevations. In more open areas,
scattered patches of false azalea, buffalo berries, twinberries, white rhododendrons and
occasionally, red elder may be found.
Between 2,100 and 2,400 metres, open stands of alpine larch occur
associated with alpine fir and Engelmann spruce, with a ground cover of red and white
heather and grouseberries. Dense thickets of various species of low growing willows
associated with bog birch can be found along mountain streams and in boggy areas.
Large areas of rocky slopes and ridges are covered by stonecrop, white
flowering mountain avens, moss campion, cinquefoil, arctic willows and several species of
saxifrage. Alpine meadows blaze with colour of western anemones, alpine arnica,
columbine, Indian paintbrush, spring beauty, alpine fleabane, mountain daisies and
hundreds of other species of wildflowers during the midsummer blossoming period.
Animals that may be seen in the park are elk, black and grizzly bears,
mule deer, moose, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. The chattering of Columbian and
mantled ground squirrels and chipmunks or the call of the hoary marmot and pika is often
heard. Wolverine, wolf, badger, marten and coyote inhabit the park but are seldom
seen.
Ninety-three species of birds have been sighted in the park, among the
more common are northern harrier, gray jay, Clark's nutcracker, white-tailed ptarmigan,
pine grosbeak, rosy finch, pine siskin, boreal chickadee, chipping sparrow and
white-crowned sparrow.
Weather conditions are typical of the Rocky Mountains. Snow
mantles the peaks year-round and remains at lower elevations until early summer.
Daytime temperatures in July, August and the first part of September can be warm but
nights are cool with occasional dips below freezing. Mount Assiniboine Provincial
Park is relatively undeveloped to keep the park as unspoiled as possible. Trails provide
the primary access; helicopter access is permitted Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays and
statutory holiday Mondays from 11 am to 5 pm. Hiking, mountaineering and the
spectacular scenery are the main attractions. Anglers try their luck but the glacial
lakes and streams support small fish populations. In winter, cross-country skiers
and ski-mountaineers visit the park frequently.
How to get to the park:
Highway 93 to Lake Magog: Trail starts at the junction of
the Vermilion and Simpson Rives near Highway 93, about 56 km north of Radium Hot Springs
and follows the Simpson River to its junction with Surprise Creek, a distance of 9.6 km -
hiking time 2-3 hours. From this point, one trail follows Surprise Creek via Rock
Lake to Ferro Pass, a distance of 10.6 km - 2-3 hrs - then to Sunburst Lake, 9.1 km - 2-3
hrs - then to Lake Magog Campground, 1 km. Another trail continues along the Simpson
River through Golden Valley and the Valley of the Rocks and along Og Creek to Lake Magog,
a distance of 32 km. Elevation change 1,250 m, maximum elevation 2,287 m. The
risk of grizzly bear encounters between Scoup and Porcupine Camps on the Simpson River
Trail is higher than in other areas of the park.
Spray Reservoir to Lake Magog: Access to the trails
entering the park originate from the Spray Reservoir Road located south of Canmore, AB.
The road leads south from Canmore for approximately 15 km to the junction of the Smith
Dorian Highway. Follow the Smith Dorian Highway for approximately 39 km to the
turn-off marked Shark Mountain. There is a parking lot located 7 km from this
turn-off. The trail to the park starts at this point and leads along the shore of
Watridge Lake, crosses two bridges and meets the Bryant Creek Trail. From this
point, the trail follows Bryant Creek to Assiniboine Pass, a distance of about 21 km -
six hrs, then to Lake Magog 4 km - one hr. Elevation change 520 m, maximum elevation
2,195 m.
An alternative trail follows Bryant Creek and skirts Marvel Lake on its
way to Wonder Pass, a distance of 22 km - six hours, then to Lake Magog 4.5 km - 1.25 hrs.
Elevation change 700 m, maximum elevation 2,378 m.
Highway 93 to Lake Magog via the Mitchell River: A little
used trail starts beyond a mine on the Mitchell River. To reach the trailhead follow
Settlers Road from Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park for about 14 km and cross the
Kootenay River. Follow a good logging road along the Cross River for 18.4 km and
turn left up the Mitchell River. Parking is at the mine 6 km further. Large ore
trucks are hauling on these roads - use extreme caution. For your own
safety, permission must be obtained from the mine operators to cross their property.
Just above the crusher, a 4x4 road leads from the property and stops abruptly at a
steep grade. The trail starts at the base of this hill and follows the Mitchell
River to Wedgewood Lake, and then to Lake Magog. Distance of about 30 km - about 8
hrs. Elevation change 1,100 m. The trail crosses the Mitchell River in numerous
locations. It is not necessary to make all of the crossings. Short and very
easy bushwacks connect the crossings. Stay on the east side to the ford, then cross
over to the west.
Sunshine Ski Village to Lake Magog: The access road to
Sunshine Village is 10 km west of Banff on Highway 1 in Banff National Park. Public
traffic is permitted to Bourgeau parking lot only, a distance of 9 km. From this
point, visitors may hike 6 km to Sunshine Village or ride the gondola (July to September
5). From Sunshine Village, the trail leads to Lake Magog via Quartzridge, Citadel
Pass, Golden Valley and Valley of the Rocks, distance 27 km - 8 hrs. Elevation
change 488 m, maximum elevation 2,408 m.
Day Hikes: (Routes)
There have evolved over the years several day hike routes from the core
area. For the most part, they are without trails but offer tremendous opportunities
to view the park.
Sunburst Valley: Nublet to the Nub, descend the ridge
leading down to Elizabeth Lake. From here several options: a) continue to
Sunburst Lake via trail, b) walk Chucks Ridge and connect with Ferro Pass Trail and then
to Cerulean and Sunburst Lakes c) follow Elizabeth Lake Trail to Ferro Pass Trail and
complete the circuit via Cerulean and Sunburst Lakes.
Og Valley (East): Follow the trail to Og Pass and then
trail to Windy Ridge, descend from ridge via smooth rock slope to the north end of Og Lake
and then follow the trail back to your starting point.
Og Valley (West): Follow the trail to Og Lake, branch off
and head for a) pass between Jones Hill and Nub, or b) ridge at the eastern toe of Jones
Hill. Either route brings you out into Nub Basin. Pick a route down through to the
main valley.
Day Hikes: (Trails)
Mt Assiniboine Lodge to:
Og Lake
5.6
km, easy
Gog Lake
1.8
km, easy
Nub
4 km, moderate
Mt Cautley
4.8 km, strenuous
Wonder Pass Viewpoint 5.6 km, easy
Windy Ridge
5.7 km, strenuous
Sunburst Lake to:
Rock Lake
11.3 km, moderate
Elizabeth Lake
1.7 km, moderate
Wedgewood Lake
5.1 km, moderate
Sunshine Meadows: There are a number of excellent day
hiking trails in the Sunshine Meadows area. Starting at Sunshine Ski Village in
Banff National Park, various loop trails traverse representative alpine meadows and lakes
in the boundary area of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. An alternative is to ride
the Standish Chairlift from the village to the Continental Divide for a panoramic view.
The meadows in this area are very sensitive. Please use extreme care at all
times and stay on the trails.
Facilities:
Winter: An increasing number of cross-country skiers are
visiting the park during the winter. Telemark skiing is also popular. The
Assiniboine Pass is the most popular route into the park. Use the trailhead
facilities in Peter Lougheed Provinical Park, Alberta, from Mount Shark along the Karst
Trail to Watridge Lake. From there, follow the trail around the northeast shore to
the Bryant Creek trailhead in Banff National Park. Follow the Bryant Creek Trail
over Assiniboine Pass. When skiing this route in reverse, caution must be taken not
to miss the Bryant Creek/Watridge Lake connection. This route is safe from avalanches as
long as the basic route finding techniques are used. In normal years, conditions for
ski-touring are generally good from December 15 to April 30. Naiset Cabins for
overnight stays require reservations from December 1 to May 31.
Camping: The main camping area is on a bench above the west
side of Lake Magog. A fee per site/party per night is charged at this camping area.
Nearby springs and small streams provide water. A primus-type stove must be
used for cooking. Tents may be erected at designated sites only. A group
camping area with accommodation for up to 25 persons is located at O'Brien Meadows.
Reservations are required for this site. Camping is also permitted at the north end
of Og Lake.
Cabins: Four alpine cabin shelters, known as Naiset Cabins,
with accommodation for 31 persons, are located on the south side of Magog Creek. A
fee is charged for use of the cabins. Shelters may be occupied, so come equipped to
camp.
A climbing shelter known as the R.C. Hind Hut is located in the
Assiniboine Bowl. The hut accommodates 16 and serves as a base camp for mountain
climbers. Other cabins are located at Surprise Creek, Mitchell River and Police
Meadows.
Horses: Horses are allowed in the park under permit.
The letter of authority will outline camping locations, grazing areas and trails open to
horse traffic.
Angling: Fishing in the glacial lakes and waterways is
unpredictable. Rock Isle, Larix and Grizzly Lakes are closed to angling.
Open fires: The core area, Citadel Pass, Eohippus Lakes and
vicinity of Sunshine Village trails are closed to open fires. Fires are permitted in
the heaters in the Naiset Cabins and at other camping locations throughout the park.
Cooking is not permitted inside the Naiset Cabins.
Mountain biking: Mountain bikes are allowed only on the
Assiniboine Pass Trail in the park. Cyclists are requested to store their bikes
while visiting the park and to walk their bikes on the trails connecting Park
Headquarters, Naiset Cabins, Mount Assiniboine Lodge and Magog Rim campground.
Commercial Facilities: A concessionaire-operated resort,
Mount Assiniboine Lodge, is situated near Lake Magog. Reservations for overnight and
meals are required.
For further park information, please link:
wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/mtassini.htm
FOR INFO ON SUMMER AND WINTER RECREATION:
Sepp & Barb Renner, Box 8128, Canmore, AB T1W 2T8
PH: 403 678-2883
FX: 403 678-4877
Email: assinilo@telusplanet.net
Website: CanadianRockies.net/assiniboine