Mount assiniboine provincial park
Known as the “Matterhorn of the Rockies”, the iconic Peak of Mt. Assiniboine and its surroundings spans the border of Alberta and British Columbia. With numerous routes to visit this stunning area of natural beauty, it’s a hikers paradise.
In late September 2018 we opted for the 32km route from Sunshine Ski Resort Meadows, via Citadel Pass & Og Lake to reach our campsite at Lake Magog. From here we explored the local lakes: Assiniboine Lake, Sunburst Lake, Cerulean Lake, Elizabeth Lake as well as the famous vistas of the Nublet - a three tier mountain with views over the entire area. Assiniboine Lodge offers a welcome rest stop with afternoon tea served daily to hikers and guest alike; a great stop off after taking a trip up to Wonder Pass. We finished our trip with a scenic heli flight back to Canmore over Marvel Lake and the Spray Valley.
In August 2020, we revisited this beautiful spot. This time we started from Mt Shark in Spray Valley PP. We left late afternoon (around 5pm) after work and rode our bikes the 7km to trail junction (where bikes aren’t permitted past due to bear activity). We locked our bikes up and hiked the next 8km to our camp for the night - Marvel Lake. When we arrived at the campsite, it was already over capacity (13/9 spots taken). We believed this to be due to the COVID-19 outbreak and lots out people being out of work and chancing it with a free spot. As it was after 9pm now, we made the decision to hike the extra 1.6km to the edge of Marvel Lake. Here we found some ideal spots to wild camp, we hung our food and turned in for the night. The next morning we woke to the most amazing view as a pastel sunrise lit the peaks that reflected in the still waters. We enjoyed a breakfast and coffee, then stashed our tents and sleeping pads in the trees and headed off. We reached Lake Magog & Assiniboine via Bryant Meadows and Assiniboine Pass - a gentle climb for the most part. This year we opted to stay in the Naiset Huts (owned and operated by Assiniboine Lodge), at $120 for the entire hut, we thought it was a steal! We were glad of the shelter as a storm rattled over our heads for most of the night, so the woodstove was very welcome. The next morning we enjoyed sunrise at the shore of Lake Magog before heading up and over Wonder Pass before descent down and along to the head of Marvel Lake where we collected our gear and heading back to our bikes.
This is an unforgettable trek, witnessing some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in Canada.
