Total cost: gas ~$250/2, backcountry camping permit ~$65/pp (4 nights including change fees), lift and bus tickets ~$40, hostel ~$210 (~6 nights + annual membership) + food (we both brought way too much food).
I'll definitely come here again. Mountains are bigger. However, too many people, no sense of wilderness (all backcountry camping is highly regulated and expensive: CA$11 reservation fee + CA$10 per person per night in national parks. BC park charges $6 reservation fee per day + $10/pp/night). Everyone is carrying either bear spray or bells, even on the most trafficked routes. Flower variety is very limited. Most prominent is fireweed, paintbrush, arnica and western anemone. After seeing so many larches, I want to come back in 2nd-3rd week of September. Permits should be easier to get then. Here're some trails I want to do next time (no particular order):
- Rockwall Trail in Kootney NP (I had the permit, but all backcountry was closed. Need permit at Helmet Falls - hike to Goodsir Pass, Tumbling Creek & Floe Lake. A detailed description.)
- Iceline Trail to Little Yoho (get permit at Little Yoho, or day hike)
- Berg Lake in Robson PP (45Km RT), need permit at the further end of the lake for 2 nights and scramble up a pass (~18Km RT)
- Skyline Trail in Jasper NP (44/55?Km one way, need permits for 2 nights. A detailed description)
- Tonquin Valley in Jasper NP (43Km U-shape oneway, mosquitoes. A detailed description)
- Nigel Pass - Brazeau Lake in Jasper NP (81Km loop or 54Km one way)
- Indian Ridge from SkyTram (day hike) in Jasper NP
- Helen Lake from Crowfoot viewpoint (7.4 mile RT, 1600' to Helen Lake, 10 mile RT 1800' to Dolomite Pass) by Icefield Parkway
- Bow Summit (day hike) on Icefield Parkway
- Kananskis Country in Alberta and Bugaboo PP in BC.
logistics
BC provincial park camping reservation: https://discovercamping.ca/ Park Canada reservation: https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/ Border regulation http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/ Wilderness HI: https://www.wilderness.hihostels.ca:447/iqreservations/asp/IQHome.aspI don't like any of the hostels (except for the location of Whiskey Jack, Edith Carvell and Lake Louise), because all the rooms are too hot. I like their kitchens, and opportunity to find hiking info from fellow travelers.
I think I'll camp next time, hopefully with hot shower. There're many along the way. Waterfowl Lake Campground looks really pretty, can be a base for day hikes next to Icefield Parkway. Non-reservable. Need to arrive by 4pm.
