• Being surrounded by stunning mountain scenery that is jaw droppingly beautiful
  
• Hiking well marked trails to glaciers, over passes, past waterfalls, and through forests of spruce, fir, and larch
• Chatting with the international hiking community that stays at the hostels
• Gazing at alpine meadows carpeted in bright wildflowers
• Visiting the town of Banff and the Lake Louise Chateau

The Canadian Rockies offer some of the most varied and scenic hiking anywhere in the world. This vast area features amazing mountain formations, ice capped peaks, and sparkling glaciers. Alpine meadows carpeted in bright wildflowers add color to an already stunning landscape, and forests of spruce, alpine fir, and larch add their sweet scent to the clean air. Hiking opportunities are practically unlimited so we've chosen the best of the best for our active exploration of this fabled land.
This trip is currently full. Please let us know if you would like to be added to the waiting list.

women in very good physical condition who enjoy hiking 8-10 miles in hilly terrain. Previous hiking experience is extremely useful.

• two nights at the famous Lake Louise Hostel (double occupancy rooms)
• three nights at the brand new Fireweed hostel in Field (2 bunkbeds to a room)
• one night at the smaller and more remote Whiskey Jack hostel (dorm style lodging)
• two nights at a motel in Calgary

• a Canadian and American guide
• seven nights lodging
• all meals from lunch Saturday through dinner the following Friday with the exception of two lunches. We will go out to restaurants for some meals, where you can order off the menu, and cook in the hostels for other meals.
• round-trip transportation from Calgary to the Parks
• park entry fees
• whitewater rafting on Wednesday is an optional cost

Arrive at the Holiday Inn Airport in Calgary by 10 am on July 18

Depart Calgary anytime July 25 (our hotel has a shuttle)

summary of this information, packing list, notes on packing list, general information, itinerary

The following itinerary should be considered a general guideline, intended to give a sense of the possibilities. We may follow it exactly, or we may vary it depending on the weather, the interests of the group, or new opportunities. In addition women may opt to turn around sooner on some trails, thereby decreasing the distances hiked.

Friday:  The trip doesn't officially start until tomorrow but we think most of you will need to arrive the evening before so we're including a first night at the Holiday Inn in the trip price.

Saturday: arrive Calgary by 10am and meet at the Holiday Inn. After introducing ourselves and talking about the trip, we load into the van and head for Lake Louise. We settle into the Alpine Centre in Lake Louise and then visit the world famous Chateau Lake Louise, located in one of the most beautiful settings you'll ever see. We'll also go for a short hike to Lake Agnes above the actual Lake, the perfect introduction to this amazing land. Overnight Lake Louise

Sunday: Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass/Paradise Valley Loop. 11 miles. Of the major trails in the mountain parks, Sentinel Pass at 8,566 feet is the highest. Sandwiched between two peaks, this barren pass offers us a glimpse into the world of mountaineers. Starting in the Valley of the Ten Peaks we will walk above Moraine Lake to the beautiful Larch Valley and onto Sentinel Pass. After lunch at the pass with its outstanding vistas in all directions, we descend to Paradise Valley for a gradual walk out to the road. Overnight Lake Louise

Monday: Plain-of-Six Glaciers Hike. 8.2 miles round trip. The Plain of Six Glaciers is an accurate name! Actually the forefront of the Lower Victoria glacier, six glaciers are visible from it. Passing through some of the most interesting glaciated scenery in Banff National Park, our trail rises from Lake Louise to a spectacular viewpoint at the base of Mount Victoria. The teahouse at the end of the trail was built in 1924 by Swiss guides who were employed by the railway. The baked goods now served there provide an extra reward for our hiking endeavors. An additional 30-minute walk leads us to an even better viewpoint, from where we can see the Abbott Pass Hut. We will relocate this evening by crossing the Great Divide and checking into the remote and rustic Takkakaw Falls hostel where the sound of the nearby waterfall will lull us to sleep.

Tuesday: Iceline Trail. 10 miles. This trail starts from the front door of our hostel and will give us spectacular overviews of the Yoho Valley. Scratched from glacial rubble, the trail follows a sensational line, contouring the edge of Emerald Glacier for 2 miles. Panoramic vistas of the Yoho valley (Yoho is from a Cree expression meaning awe and wonder) are your reward for venturing into this rocky domain. In late afternoon we will move over to the brand new Fireweed Hostel in Field, BC.

Wednesday: There are two excellent and very different options today. If you want to give your legs a rest, the nearby Kicking Horse River offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the Rockies. Whether you choose a shorter or longer trip, the rafting is guaranteed to be excellent (this is not included in the price of the trip). If you just want a day off you can wander around the quaint village of Field, BC and do some short walks around town. Overnight Fireweed Hostel

Thursday: There are lots of hiking options in this area and our final choice will depend on our energy. One option is to the world famous Burgess Shale Fossil Beds. The hike is steep but the chance to see some of the most rare fossils in the world make it well worth the effort.  Overnight Fireweed Hostel

Friday: After a leisurely morning, we'll drive back to the city of Banff. Along the way we'll stop for a three mile hike along the tumbling waters in the deep cleft of Johnson Canyon. This asphalt-covered path is one of the most popular in the Park and no wonder- its gentle grade up to spectacular waterfalls is outstanding. Once in town there are a number of possible things to do, including a visit to the famous cave and basin hotsprings, a ride up the sulphur mountain gondola or a visit to the Whyte Museum. There will be time to shop for last minute souvenirs. We'll have an early dinner there and then drive back to Calgary for final farewells. Overnight Calgary

Saturday: You are free to depart anytime for home. We will be staying at a motel that has a shuttle to the airport. But Calgary is also an interesting town in its own right and you might want to spend the day visiting it before heading home.