R. Bray
Backcountry Guide
Skyline
Semi-Primitive
Download a printable PDF version (3.1 MB)
An exceptionally beautiful backpacking route: the highest trail in Jasper National Park.
- Suggested itineraries
- Directions to trailhead
- Safety in the backcountry
- Leave No Trace
- Backcountry equipment checklist
- Share Your Experience
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No fires permitted. |
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No bikes permitted between Maligne Lake and Signal fire road. |
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Caribou range. Dogs are not allowed. |
The Details
With almost 25 km of this trail hiked above treeline, the Skyline is Jasper’s highest and possibly most scenic trail. The high elevation allows for amazing views that extend over much of the park, encompassing vast meadows, windswept ridges and the chance to spot wildlife in the distance. Crossing three mountain passes, the Skyline trail offers a variety of flora, fauna and scenery unique to Jasper National Park. Be prepared for all weather conditions, and always check current conditions before setting off. Snow can fall any time of the year, and the section of trail called “the Notch” can be impassable early in the season.
What you need to know
The Skyline trail is Jasper’s most popular backcountry hiking trail, so we recommend booking in advance. This trail can only be hiked in the summer months, typically typically early July to early October.
Special considerations
The Skyline trail has two trails which can be used as escape routes during poor weather. The Wabasso trail is a long, rough 15-km trail with a steep descent of 1100 m, which ends on the Icefields Parkway, 14 km south of Jasper. The Watchtower trail is a 13.2-km trail which descends 985 m to the Maligne Lake Road. This trail is typically quite muddy throughout the season. and in high water for the Maligne river can be an issue.
Be prepared for all weather conditions when hiking the Skyline trail, as sudden weather changes can occur.
The skyline trail has one outfitter lodge:
- The Skyline Trail - Shovel Pass Lodge (250) 838-0972
Suggested itineraries
The recommended direction to hike the Skyline is from south (Maligne Lake) to north. Most hikers walk the Skyline trail in 2-3 days, although one can spend an extra day to explore the alpine areas along the way. Hikers need to consider weather conditions and high altitudes when planning their length of stay.
- 44.1 km, 2-3 day hike
- Elevation from Maligne Lake: 1410 m gain, 1928 m loss
- Maximum elevation: 2510 m
Option one: 2 days
Start at Maligne Lake and hike 20 km to Curator campground. The following day, hike the 24 km out to the north trailhead on Maligne Lake Road.
Option two: 3 days
Start at Maligne Lake and hike 12 km to Snowbowl campground. The following day hike 18 km to Tekarra campground. The third day will be a 14-km hike out.
Trail distances (in km)
Maligne |
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4.8 |
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8.3 |
3.5 |
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12.2 |
7.4 |
3.9 |
Snowbowl |
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21.3 |
16.5 |
13.0 |
9.1 |
Curator |
|||
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30.9 |
26.1 |
22.6 |
18.7 |
9.6 |
Tekarra |
||
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35.6 |
30.8 |
27.3 |
23.5 |
14.3 |
4.8 |
Signal |
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Signal Trailhead |
44.1 |
39.3 |
35.8 |
31.9 |
22.8 |
13.2 |
8.5 |
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Elevation Profile
Campground information
Campground |
Description |
# of sites |
Fire pit |
UTM |
Evelyn Creek (Elevation: 1824 m) |
A small, quiet campground by a creek, good for hikers getting a late start in the day. |
4
|
|
11U 452481-5843006 |
Little Shovel |
A campground with beautiful views over Maligne Lake and the Bald Hills, situated below Little Shovel Pass. This campground is great for campers who want to avoid the busier Snowbowl campground. |
8
|
|
450097-5843025 |
Snowbowl |
Popular campground located in a spectacular meadow, sheltered by trees, with easy access to water. |
8
|
|
11U 447313-5844782 |
Curator |
Popular with hikers taking 2 days to hike the Skyline trail. This campground is situated |
8
|
|
11U 442215-5849105 |
Tekarra |
A beautiful campground with great views, located next to a fast moving creek. |
8
|
|
11U 437992-5855673 |
Signal |
A quiet campground at the top of the Signal fire road. There are great views over Jasper and surroundings from the hills above the campground. |
4
|
|
11U 434058-5858562 |
Directions to trailhead
Maligne Trailhead (south)
Take Highway 16 East towards Edmonton. Two km from Jasper, turn right across the bridge onto Maligne Road. Continue for 46 km south on the Maligne Road to Maligne Lake. Continue on the road past the chalet and across the bridge to the parking lot on the west side of the lake. The trailhead is on the right-hand side of the road, just before you reach the parking lot.
Signal Trailhead (north)
Drive 8 km south on the Maligne Lake Road. Parking area is on the right.
Safety in the Backcountry
You are responsible for your own safety. Be prepared for extreme weather and mountainous terrain. Cell phone coverage is unavailable in most areas.
Trail report
Before leaving, check the Jasper National Park trail report for up-to-date conditions at www.pc.gc.ca/jaspertrails
Trail offices
Trail Information, 780-852-6177
General information
Jasper Information Centre, 780-852-6176
www.pc.gc.ca/jasper
EMERGENCY: call 780-852-3100
877-852-3100
Carry a topo map
NTS
Medicine Lake 83C/13
Athabasca Falls 83C/12
Gemtrek
Jasper and Maligne Lake
National Geographic
Jasper South.
Leave no Trace
Food Storage
To reduce your campsite’s attractiveness to bears, all food, garbage, toiletries and cooking equipment must be hung from the food storage cables provided at designated campsites. In wildland camping areas, bear-resistant containers are strongly recommended to store food. All campgrounds are equipped with a bear pole for food storage. There are picnic tables present.
Human Waste
There are barrel toilets at all campgrounds. When there are no facilities nearby, select a spot away from trails, campsites and at least 70 m from water sources. Dig a hole 12 to 16 cm into the dark-coloured, biologically active soil layer. Loosely fill the hole with soil afterward. Use as little toilet paper as possible.
Garbage
Please—Pack it in and pack it out! You are responsible for everything you take into the backcountry and this includes garbage. Do not dispose of garbage in pit toilets—it may attract animals.
Washing
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 70 m away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Strain out those last bits of food waste and pack them out. Disperse strained water on land.
Please camp only at the campsites indicated on your Backcountry Camping Permit and use the tent pads (where provided).
Campfires
If fires are allowed, use the metal fireboxes provided, keep your fire small and use only deadfall. Tend to your fire at all times and extinguish it completely before you move on. Gas stoves are cleaner and more efficient for cooking. We recommend you use one.
Shortcutting trails
Shortcutting between trail switchbacks damages both the soil and plant life. This not only ruins the look of an area, but makes it susceptible to further damage by erosion.
Collecting natural or cultural objects
Rocks, fossils, horns, antlers, wildflowers, nests and all other natural or historical objects in a national park are protected by law. Leave them as you found them for others to enjoy.
For more information on low impact travel in the backcountry contact: leavenotrace.ca
1-877-238-9343
Backcountry equipment checklist
Have you got it?
This is a list of suggested equipment for Jasper's backcountry trails.
Mountain weather is unpredictable; be prepared for winter conditions at any time of the year. Snow may persist in high mountain regions into the summer and avalanche danger may occur in any season. This equipment list does not account for the special knowledge and equipment required to travel in avalanche terrain.
Clothing |
Shelter |
Other essentials |
Optional |
Long underwear Wool sweater, down vest, or fleece jacket Raingear - pants and jacket, gaiters Hat and gloves / support and good soles Sandals or runners for fording streams and at camp Life jacket Extra warm clothes in waterproof bag
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Tent with waterproof fly Food should include enough for an extra day Water filter, purification tablets or extra fuel for boiling your water Waterproof bag to store food at campgrounds
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Wilderness pass Bear spray and the knowledge to use it Topographic map Compass Waterproof matches &/or lighter Insect repellent Flashlight and extra batteries First Aid kit Signaling device (whistle or mirror) Toilet paper Rope - approx. 8m. A throw bag works well Waterproof bags for all gear |
Binoculars Altimeter Field guide(s) GPS SPOT™ Device or
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Backcountry camping permits
A backcountry camping permit is mandatory for all overnight trips and can be obtained online at reservations.pc.gc.ca or by calling 1877-737-3783.
Share your Experience
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 facebook.com/JasperNP twitter.com/JasperNP |