Skyline trail (Jasper, AB, Canada)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 28.36 mi
- Elevation gain
- 4,544 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 6,145 ft
- Max elevation
- 8,299 ft
- TrailRank
-
54
4.7
- Min elevation
- 3,863 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- 10 hours 30 minutes
- Coordinates
- 3991
- Uploaded
- September 1, 2013
- Recorded
- August 2013
near Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta (Canada)
Viewed 6245 times, downloaded 204 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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The route called "Skyline trail", in the Jasper National Park, province of Alberta, Canada) is among the most famous high mountain crossings in the Canadian Rockies. It has a length of 45.5 km, which extends between the beautiful Lake Maligne (1,697m) to the start of the road that climbs up to the lake (1,177m), reaching a maximum height of 2,529m on the route. The path runs through forests, meadows and also purely Alpine terrain.
Normally, in the mountain guides, it is planned to be completed in 2 or 3 days. However, we consider that it is possible to complete the tour in 1 day because, as can be seen in the profile, the gradient is saved gradually and the path, in general, is of good quality (except in some sections in those that there are stones). In any case, to do it in a day is necessary a very good physical shape and experience in mountain crossings.
You start ascending progressively through a forest of firs and spruces leaving behind the lakes Mona and Lorraine. At 8.3 km you reach the "Little Shovel Pass" (2,240m). From there, some altitude is lost through a field of meadows and streams, to later go up to the Big Shovel Pass (2,320m, 17.5 km). Then, the path descends towards Lake Curator (20.4 km, near which there is a private refuge). Then, a steep ascent begins by a channel where the path narrows and runs through a little compact terrain. Finally, you reach the Notch Pass (22.1 km, 2,510m high, key point of the crossing). From that point, the views become especially impressive, getting to see Mount Robson (top of the Canadian Rockies that is about 80km). The route continues without major changes in altitude (reaching km 24.9 at 2,529m) and through a stable path, so the pace can be kept high. Starting at km 25, a sharp zigzag descent begins along a rather stony path, until you reach a stream (very suitable for refreshing your feet after over half the route), from which you continue along a stretch of prairie (and two lakes) maintaining a stable altitude until reaching the Tekarra camp (2,060m, km 30). From that point, a stream is crossed and lightly gains height again through a forest, until leaving to the treeless area known as Signal, from where the definitive and continuous descent begins to the point of arrival, passing the last 9 km by a track between firs and deciduous scrub. Finally we completed the tour in just over 10 hours, with an average speed of 5 km / h.
In conclusion, it is a really attractive journey through the variety of landscapes (forests, meadows, streams, alpine terrain, lakes), the possibility of seeing wildlife and the spectacular views from the central part.
Normally, in the mountain guides, it is planned to be completed in 2 or 3 days. However, we consider that it is possible to complete the tour in 1 day because, as can be seen in the profile, the gradient is saved gradually and the path, in general, is of good quality (except in some sections in those that there are stones). In any case, to do it in a day is necessary a very good physical shape and experience in mountain crossings.
You start ascending progressively through a forest of firs and spruces leaving behind the lakes Mona and Lorraine. At 8.3 km you reach the "Little Shovel Pass" (2,240m). From there, some altitude is lost through a field of meadows and streams, to later go up to the Big Shovel Pass (2,320m, 17.5 km). Then, the path descends towards Lake Curator (20.4 km, near which there is a private refuge). Then, a steep ascent begins by a channel where the path narrows and runs through a little compact terrain. Finally, you reach the Notch Pass (22.1 km, 2,510m high, key point of the crossing). From that point, the views become especially impressive, getting to see Mount Robson (top of the Canadian Rockies that is about 80km). The route continues without major changes in altitude (reaching km 24.9 at 2,529m) and through a stable path, so the pace can be kept high. Starting at km 25, a sharp zigzag descent begins along a rather stony path, until you reach a stream (very suitable for refreshing your feet after over half the route), from which you continue along a stretch of prairie (and two lakes) maintaining a stable altitude until reaching the Tekarra camp (2,060m, km 30). From that point, a stream is crossed and lightly gains height again through a forest, until leaving to the treeless area known as Signal, from where the definitive and continuous descent begins to the point of arrival, passing the last 9 km by a track between firs and deciduous scrub. Finally we completed the tour in just over 10 hours, with an average speed of 5 km / h.
In conclusion, it is a really attractive journey through the variety of landscapes (forests, meadows, streams, alpine terrain, lakes), the possibility of seeing wildlife and the spectacular views from the central part.
Comments (2)
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Hola! la ruta se puede recorrer en bici de montaña? gracias, slds
I have followed this trail View more
Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
Great trail, best done after June