Skyline Trail (Jasper National Park)

Skyline Trail (Jasper National Park)

The Skyline Trail is located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

It is well known for its scenic views, with much of the hike being located above the treeline. It is also infamous for its variable weather; as it is above the treeline, this can become a problem for hikers.

NTS Map: 083C13 Elevation Gain: 1,380 m (4,526 ft).

The Skyline Trail has recently been recognized as critical Woodland Caribou habitat. The Woodland Caribou is a threatened Species-at-Risk in Canada. In an attempt to reduce stressors on this disappearing icon of the Canadian wilderness Parks Canada has banned dogs from all Caribou habitat in Jasper National Park.

The Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park is recognized as one of the best backpacking trails in the Canadian Rockies. Ben Gadd, who is from Jasper, said that it is "the best hike in the Rockies." With 25 km of the total 44.1 km of the trail at or above the treeline, it offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It is normally hiked over two days from Maligne Lake to the bottom of Signal Mountain, but it alternatively may be hiked at a more moderate pace over 3 to 4 days. It is recommended to hike the trail south to north from Maligne Lake, as the fire road descending to Signal Mountain on the north end is an 800m elevation loss. There are three challenging passes to conquer, including the highest section of trail in Jasper National Park. There are campgrounds at 5 km, 8 km, 12 km, 19 km, 30 km, and 35 km, offering options for hikers of any persuasion (Evelyn Creek, Little Shovel, Snowbowl, Curator, Tekarra, and Signal respectively). The campgrounds are well established, offering tent pads, picnic tables, bear poles with metal cables and conncectors and toilets. Hikers must bring their own stoves as campfires are banned.

There are two main ways to enter the Skyline Trail. The majority of visitors people opt for the main trail; from the parking lot at Maligne Lake, the hike begins with a gentle walk through the forest past Lorraine and Mona Lakes, before crossing the Evelyn Creek bridge to the campground. The second option, adding 4 km and 500m of elevation gain, is to climb the Bald Hills by using a well-established short cut for a magnificent view of Maligne Lake before heading down the fireroad and joining the trail to the Evelyn Creek bridge.

Evelyn Creek campground is a beautiful camping spot in the forest adjacent to the creek, but it is recommended that it be passed over for campgrounds at higher elevations. Following Evelyn Creek Campground the trail climbs to Little Shovel Pass. Because the campground after Little Shovel, Snowbowl, is heavily used, if possible Little Shovel Campground is an excellent option for an overnight stay, especially as it is situated part way up Little Shovel Pass so it offers a respite from the steady climb. From Little Shovel Campground, the trail breaks out of the trees into the upper subalpine, continuing its climb to Little Shovel Pass at 10 km. Entering the Snowbowl, the Skyline Trail can be seen meandering through open meadows until it enters the trees wherein the Snowbowl Campground is sheltered.

Snowbowl is equally popular in winter as it is in summer, as it contains a small cabin called Shangrila, built by the legendary Jasper guide Donald "Curly" Phillips in 1936 for skiing enthusiasts. The cabin, administered by the Maligne Lake Ski Club, is not available to summer hikers. Call 1-780-852-3665 for more info.

From Snowbowl Campground, the beautiful, slow ascent rises through flower-filled meadows to Little Shovel Pass at 17 km. In 1911 Jack Otto guided the very famous Mary Schaffer to this pass on the way to her survey of Maligne Lake, but unfortunately found the way blocked by snow. This did not stop the intrepid adventurer, and the party dug their way through the pass using shovels fashioned from trees. The shovels were then left behind, and Mary declared the pass "Shovel Pass." The shovels are now displayed at the museum in Jasper.

Crossing into the Curator Basin, the trail swings right, past the junction with the Watchtower Trail. A 4 km descent into this valley leads to the Watchtower Campground, an excellent option as Curator Campground is heavily used and often fully booked, and a fitting destination in its own right.

Returning to the trail section in the Curator Basin, the Skyline Trail continues to the Wabasso Creek Trail junction at 19 km. Less than 1 km further along this trail is Curator Campground. A little further still is Shovel Pass Lodge, which does allow use by hikers; more frequently, however, horse trips use this lodge as a waypoint. Both the Watchtower and Wabasso trails are good foul weather escape routes off the Skyline, which as mentioned can be necessary as the weather along the Skyline Trail can be treacherous. Beyond the Wabasso junction the Skyline Trail passes Curator Lake then makes a sudden, steep ascent to the Notch at 22 km the highest point on the Skyline at 2511m.

The next 4 km of the trail are along the crest of the Maligne Range, which is completely exposed to both breathtaking mountain views and precarious mountain weather. The descent to Tekarra Campground follows a tortuous trail through rocky valley with Mount Tekarra on the left and Excelsior on the right. Centre Mountain dominates the head of the valley, lending its name to the creek and lakes below. Following Lower Centre Lake, the trail enters Tekarra Campground at 30 km. From Tekarra Campground, the trail crosses Centre Creek and borders the shoulders of Tekarra and Signal Mountains to the junction with the Signal Mountain Fire road. The fire road climbs uphill for 1 km to the old Signal Mountain fire lookout site, which is recommended if time and energy allow. Descending to the right, the fire road passes the junction into Signal Campground, then quickly descends further into the forest for the final leg of the trip. 800m of vertical are surrendered over the final 9 km. The Maligne Lake Shuttle offers frequents trips back to the Maligne Lake Parking Lot for those without two vehicles, but as they are often busy reservations should be made.

The Skyline Trail is one of the busiest in the Rockies and therefore reservations must be made. The Jasper Trail Office at 1-780-852-6177 accepts reservations up to three months in advance.

The Friends of Jasper (www.friendsofjasper.com) organization is an excellent source of maps such as Gemtreks "1:100000 Jasper and Maligne Lake," or more detailed topographical maps are offered by the Government of Canada, such as the 1:50000 "83C12 Athabasca Falls" and "83C13 Medicine Lake."