I have done the skyline twice and I agree it is one of the best backpacking trails in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. Camped both times, but I don’t believe the lodge you referred to was there at the time (25/20 years ago). The fist time I did it solo in three days, two nights. First day was nice, but mainly in the woods. Second day was spectacular. Third day was torrential rain, so just hiked out as fast as I could go. The second time I did it was with a friend and I believe we did five days, four nights. Did lots of side hikes up to various peaks along the way. Weather was perfect every day and scenery was outstanding. If I could do it again, I would go the five day option. Got a bad knee now, so hiking with a back pack would not be an option. Small pack to the lodge and some day hikes would be interesting to try. It is a bit shorter trail to just get to the lodge is the ‘spur’ trail that starts just before Medicine Lake (might be called the watchtower trail).
I think the lodge has been there for quite a long time but I'm not sure for how long it's been a guest house. At any rate, it was super convenient and comfortable. There is a trail that hikes straight in to the lodge that the pack horses use to bring in supplies but I've heard it's not the nicest hike in the world.
I have done it both directions on horseback. Up until about 1990 the shovel pass lodge was a horse camp with canvas bunk tents and a cook house. Booked Skyline campsites for August long weekend as part of hiking the great divide trail from Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing.
They’ve definitely upped their game since the 90s. It’s quite the operation these days. The owners are actually based near Vernon, I think and last I heard, they were trying to sell it.
We did it in two days. Because we stayed in the refuge, we didn’t need to bring tents, sleeping bags or food so our bags were very light and manageable. The second day was about 26kms so it would have been a. Lot more difficult with a full pack.
I don’t disagree, but it’s a hell of a way to do it. Plus, a weekend staying at an Airbnb in Vancouver or Kelowna would probably be more expensive than that!
Great video! Really helpful for us trying to do this route this week 😁
I have done the skyline twice and I agree it is one of the best backpacking trails in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. Camped both times, but I don’t believe the lodge you referred to was there at the time (25/20 years ago). The fist time I did it solo in three days, two nights. First day was nice, but mainly in the woods. Second day was spectacular. Third day was torrential rain, so just hiked out as fast as I could go.
The second time I did it was with a friend and I believe we did five days, four nights. Did lots of side hikes up to various peaks along the way. Weather was perfect every day and scenery was outstanding.
If I could do it again, I would go the five day option. Got a bad knee now, so hiking with a back pack would not be an option. Small pack to the lodge and some day hikes would be interesting to try. It is a bit shorter trail to just get to the lodge is the ‘spur’ trail that starts just before Medicine Lake (might be called the watchtower trail).
I think the lodge has been there for quite a long time but I'm not sure for how long it's been a guest house. At any rate, it was super convenient and comfortable. There is a trail that hikes straight in to the lodge that the pack horses use to bring in supplies but I've heard it's not the nicest hike in the world.
hi, great video. we're going to Jasper next spring and i was wondering what are you filming with?
I shot this with an insta360 X3, but now I use an X4. There’s also some footage mixed in that I filmed with my Fujifilm X-T5.
I have done it both directions on horseback. Up until about 1990 the shovel pass lodge was a horse camp with canvas bunk tents and a cook house.
Booked Skyline campsites for August long weekend as part of hiking the great divide trail from Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing.
They’ve definitely upped their game since the 90s. It’s quite the operation these days. The owners are actually based near Vernon, I think and last I heard, they were trying to sell it.
Did you do it in 2 or 3 days?
We did it in two days. Because we stayed in the refuge, we didn’t need to bring tents, sleeping bags or food so our bags were very light and manageable. The second day was about 26kms so it would have been a. Lot more difficult with a full pack.
Bruh isn't that hiking refuge $300ish night?!?! In all seriousness, it looks lovely but likely outside of most budgets.
I don’t disagree, but it’s a hell of a way to do it. Plus, a weekend staying at an Airbnb in Vancouver or Kelowna would probably be more expensive than that!
Is Maligne pronounced "ma-line" or "ma-leen"? I used to live near there, and everyone said "ma-leen".
I always read it as “ma-line” but you’re right, I think it’s anglicized from French where it’s likely better pronounced “ma-leen”.
yes , it is pronounced ma-leen
The background music on the video in annoying
Not pronouncing correctly.