Mountain Series: Banff, Jasper and Yoho

Several airlines offer affordable direct flights from Newark to Calgary International Airport. Upon landing, your Discover Outdoors guide will drive you and your fellow hikers to Field, B.C., where we will settle into our hostel and unwind before an afternoon of casual hiking. This afternoon we will explore the hiking trails around Lake Louise and the most iconic natural wonders of Banff National Park. This evening will be a time for relaxing on the deck or by the fire in the hostel, or exploring the tiny village of Field while getting to know your group. Over dinner, we will go over the itinerary for the days ahead and discuss any questions you have.

THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

Four contiguous national parks comprise the Canadian Rockies’ UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our Mountain Series explores three of these parks: Banff, Yoho and Jasper. This wild playground is home to over 13,000 square miles of protected land encompassing countless high peaks, shifting glaciers, emerald lakes, glistening streams and wildlife of all kinds. The Canadian Rockies are part of the American Cordillera, an uninterrupted mountain range that stretches from Northwestern Alaska to Southern Patagonia.

On your first morning in the park, your guides will welcome you with hot drinks and a hearty breakfast while reviewing the plan for the day. Our destination today is Paradise Valley, a place-name that needs no introduction. Starting from the southern outskirts of Lake Louise Village, the hiking trail parallels the strong waters of Paradise Creek through lush pine forests and wildflower meadows.

As the trail approaches treeline, the first views of Mt. Temple are guaranteed to shock your sense of scale. With continued elevation gain, you will hike past turbulent waterfalls, wide open alpine plateaus and massive glaciers to compliment the high peak grandeur. Today’s hike ends at Moraine Lake, a glacially fed body of water so captivating that its image found its way to the Canadian twenty dollar bill and has served as inspiration for countless artists.

After a substantial day on the trail, we return to our hostel for a well-earned shower and some rest and relaxation over Hors d’oeuvres. Evening activities include attempting to edit the digital images of the day, a game of cards in the lounge, shootin’ the breeze over a cold beer on the deck, or just curling up with a good book. As always, a hearty dinner will be prepared by your Discover Outdoors guides.

TRAIL STATS

• Hiking Distance 10.4 miles
• Elevation Gain 3,000 feet

Today, we trade trail shoes and trekking poles for crampons and ice axes. Our destination is the Columbia Icefields in Jasper National Park, about a 1.5 hour drive from Field. No experience is necessary to navigate these massive glaciers; our specialty glacier guides will ensure that you are properly outfitted and guided safely across the glacier. Over the course of the day, we will traverse the lower Athabasca Glacier, trekking over frozen hills and valleys and culminating with an ascent into one of the massive icefalls on the glacier. This is a guided interpretive hike designed specifically for the adventurous person with a desire to explore the world of glacier ice.

Back at the hostel, well-deserved cold beverages and lip-smacking dinner await. After dinner, we will review the logistics for tomorrow’s backcountry cabin adventure, and give you a chance to pack your bag for an overnight in the wilderness.

TRAIL STATS

• Hiking Distance 4.8 miles
• Elevation Gain 500 (glacial) feet

Today, we continue our easy-living routine by rising with the sun and fueling our bodies with a hearty breakfast. However, when we depart the hostel for the day, we will not return until the following night. For the next two days, we will trek through Yoho National Park and stay at the Stanley Mitchell Cabin, nestled in the hanging valley of Little Yoho.

We begin the two day trek at the Twin Falls trailhead, a short drive from our hostel. From Twin Falls, the trail snakes its way through a mesmerizing abundance of waterfalls with names like “Angel Falls” and “Laughing Falls,” all within the lush, forested canopy of green pines and greener mosses. The trail continues into the heart of Yoho to our final destination and home for the night at the Stanley Mitchell cabin. At 6,742 feet, this remote yet surprisingly comfortable cabin is tucked away behind the President Mountain range, and at the edge of the impressive Emerald Glacier.

Once settled into the cabin, you can unwind and watch the setting sun from one of the most peaceful settings on earth.

TRAIL STATS

• Hiking Distance 7.4 miles
• Elevation Gain 1,800 feet

Waking up in the Canadian Rocky wilderness is an experience few get to behold. The stillness of the morning is interrupted only by the rushing of a nearby river, the chirping of mountain birds, or the bugle of an elk. This morning, we will enjoy a hearty backcountry breakfast, load up our packs and head for the Iceline Trail- the premiere hiking trail in the region.

Throughout the course of the day, we will rise above the thick forests and enter the glacial moraine zone. We will hike along the edge of the Emerald Glacier and Vice President Mountain before eventually descending into the expansive high-alpine Yoho plateaus. The Iceline trail affords visitors to Yoho a chance to witness glacial activity in person, as the Emerald Glacier deposits rock moraines, large boulders and receding scars across the trail. Finally, we end our journey at Emerald Lake, a micro-climate of rich biodiversity and vivid watercolors. Offering the most mesmerizing landscapes in all of the Canadian Rockies, the Iceline Trail and Emerald Lake provide a capstone experience to our Mountain Series of the Canadian Rockies and a chance to emphatically yell “Yoho!”

Tonight we celebrate and toast to new friends and to an amazing week of Rocky Mountain adventures.

TRAIL STATS

• Hiking Distance 10.4 miles
• Elevation Gain 1,500 feet

After sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we pack up our bags and say goodbye to our beloved hostel and the Canadian Rockies. Your guides will drive you to the Calgary International Airport for your flight home. Keep your camera out for the drive along Bow Valley, as the Trans-Canada highway bisects Banff and can offer some amazing last minute panoramas for your collection.

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Activity

  How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.

• Distances

  You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.

• Surfaces

  What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.

• Elevation Change

  The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.

• Altitude

  The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for one to three hours. Take a long walk around Central Park to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active for at least a two-hour period.

• Distances

  For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. Think about this distance in terms of the width of Manhattan. Walking from the Hudson to the East River via 14th street is just under two miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, trying walking three flights of stairs and back.

• Altitude

  Less than 3,000 feet.

Level 2 trips will give you a taste of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for four to six hours. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles around Central Park.

• Distances

  Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be doing up to six miles on this trip. You can imagine this distance in terms of the full Central Park loop, which is 6.1 miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain. You can expect rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to an accumulative 1,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 6,000 feet.

Level three hikes will challenge you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

• Activity

  We’ll be out on the trails for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to ten miles today before heading back to the city. This is the distance between Battery Park and Washington Heights in Manhattan.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be walking on rolling or mountainous terrain. This will require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to 2,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 10,000 feet.

Deep inside you is a desire to push past your limit. On these hikes you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 4 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regiment, trying to get your mile time below 7 minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 4 hikes can be up to 16 miles. This is the distance between Wall Street and Yonkers.

• Surfaces

  These trails will be mountainous with exposed terrain, uneven trails and steep ascents/descents. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 14,000 feet.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate outdoor experience. If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, this is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best.

• Activity

  You should be ready for at least ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles a day. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and up keeping your hiking skills.

• Surfaces

  On Level 5 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Altitude change could also reach up to 14,000 feet.