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* Kananaskis
* Brazeau Loop
* Rockwall
* Clearwater River
* Purcell Wilderness
* West Coast Trail
What is included in this price?
** All transportation from Canmore/ Return,
including: Canmore to Trailhead, all shuttles and luggage shuttles from trail's
end to Canmore
** All Park Fees, including: Park entrance fees and
backcountry user fees
** All food and trail snacks from the first day's
lunch on the trail, to the last day's lunch.
** 2 guides/naturalists per
party of 8
** All pre-trip planning information
** Complete camping gear: tents, sleeping bag, sleeping
pad, backpack, rain gear (rudimentary), utensils etc.
All-Inclusive packages include:
Deluxe Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Banff
or Canmore before and after your Rocky Mountain adventure.
This package does not include:
** Personal equipment such as clothing, boots,
toiletries
** Gratuities - your guides diligent efforts need to be
considered and appropriately rewarded
** Alcoholic Beverages
** As you
will not need a vehicle on this holiday we can arrange a pick up and drop off
at the Calgary airport, for an additional fee.
** Accommodation in Canmore for the night before and after the hike for the Basic package.
** 7% Goods & Services Tax
Terms:
Deposit 50% - Balance due 45 days before departure
date. Cancellation: $100.00 processing fee. If written notice is
received 45 days prior to departure, we can provide a full refund less
processing fee. No refund is possible on notice less than 45 days, unless the
space can be resold. Cancellation insurance is available.
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 Backpacking Series:
Purcell Mountains
Purcell Wilderness Odyssey: 6 days, 5 nights
Meadows, passes and solitude
This journey is an off trail adventure through pristine ranges of complex ridges and basins. Traveling over varied terrain, the walking is sometimes challenging, yet always interesting. Because we are not on established trails, we do not cover as much distance each day as on a trail hike. However, navigating through untouched terrain is an intense experience that is highly rewarding. We enjoy a strong feeling of self reliance with constant changes in scenery. You do not have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy this trip, but bring your sense of adventure.
ITINERARY:
Pre-trip
We begin with an orientation where you will meet your guide and the rest of your party. The route and safety issues are discussed as well as a distribution of equipment and group gear. This meeting is usually the evening before day 1.
Day 1
After departing Canmore, we drive 2 hours west to Golden, B.C. From here we find our way up gravel roads that extend nearly to treeline. Our first day of hiking is an easy introduction to the Dogtooth Range. We hike 3 km on a good trail through old forest, then climb across rocky slopes beneath towering cliffs. Our camp is at a designated site with outhouses and picnic tables on the shores of glistening, Gorman Lake. Surrounding the lake are spectacular peaks lined with avalanche slopes.
Distance 3 km. (2 miles)
Elevation - 2135 metres (7000 feet)
Day 2
Leaving the trails behind us, we climb up rocky slopes to two unname d passes. At our first pass, we can look down Holt Creek to a magnificent turquoise lake hanging above high cliffs. From the top of the second pass, our highest point on the trip, we will glimpse the highest glaciated peaks of the Selkirk Mountains to the west and the Rockies far to the east. We descend moderate slopes to open meadows with numerous cascading creeks. Walking easily across vegetated slopes we traverse our third pass on animal trails, watching for mountain goats as we hike. Grizzly Pass is the gateway to the expansive meadows of Canyon Creek. We will camp immediately below the pass in the upper reaches of this vegetated valley.
Distance 7 km. (4.5 miles)
Elevation - 2510 metres (8230 feet)
Day 3
 Walking down Canyon Creek provides us with one of the most enjoyable days of the trip. Thousands of flowers like Western Anemones and Indian Paintbrush bristle from the meadows. As we wander through this valley we will stop at several icy tarn lakes set on a bench on the valley's side. Our day finishes with a steep climb up open slopes beneath a small glacier that gives us access to the upper reaches of the remote Baird Brook.
Distance 6.5 km. (4 miles)
Elevation - 2430 metres (7970 feet)
Day 4
Our most challenging day starts with a stunning walk along the high meadows of Baird Brook. Progressing down the valley, the slopes steepen as we descend through forest into a deep basin. Lichen draped over the trees and a carpet of moss gives this valley an ancient, isolated atmosphere. We must then regain the high ridges over boulders and snow. From Tilted Pass, high above, we can see many kilometers to the south along the spine of the Purcells. We will enjoy the dramatic backdrop of distant mountains while perched on the shore of a secluded tarn lake near the pass.
Distance 5 km. (3 miles)
Elevation - 2410 metres (7900 feet)
Day 5
A most glorious day of meadow walking! The entire day is spent meandering across west-facing slopes replete with alpine flowers. Numerous small ridges bisect our path, offering a series of wide panoramas alternating with secluded basins where small creeks make perfect rest stops. We will luxuriate in the intense solitude of this remote valley side.
Distance 6 km. (3.5 miles)
Elevation - 2200 metres (7210 feet)
Day 6
Our final day follows a rollercoaster of ridges and tiny basins taking us to Maclean Creek. Our views constantly change as we follow goat trails to vantage points and descend through meadows to tiny creeks. As we near Maclean Creek we will climb to a final high pass for our helicopter pickup. From this secluded spot, we will say goodbye to these remote mountains for a reluctant return to civilization. Flying out of the range, we will gain distant vistas of the Dogtooth Range that we traversed.
Distance 5 km. (3 miles)
Elevation - 2370 metres (7775 feet)
Please Note:
Changes in this itinerary may be necessary due to snow or weather conditions, trail safety or closures.
2005 TRIP DATES & PRICES
Dates Basic:
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2005 Dates available October 15
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Dates All Inclusive:
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2005 Dates available October 15
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Price Basic
All Inclusive
Single Supplement *
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2005 Prices available October 15
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* Applies to all inclusive package only.
Owners/Operators: Bud Ettinger and Genia Luchka
Address:
2010 3rd Avenue
Canmore, Alberta CANADA
T1W 2J8
Tel: (403) 678-6606
Fax: (403) 678-0910
info@backofbeyond.ca
Toll-Free Inquiries:
1-800-732-7251
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