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Exploring the backcountry Please leave no trace!

Backcountry Guide

JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Fryatt Valley

Jasper National Park is the largest and most northerly of Canada’s mountain

national parks. It protects over 11,000 square kilometres of the Rocky Mountains,

a beautiful and dramatic landscape supporting a rich variety of plants and animals.

Many of the park’s backcountry trails were established by early travellers including

First Nations people, fur traders, explorers and adventurers.

With nearly 1000 km of trails and routes to choose from, backcountry camping is a great

way to experience the rugged and untamed wilderness of Jasper National Park. This

guide will help you plan a trip that is exciting, safe, and has low environmental impact.

For more detailed backcountry planning and trip information, visit www.pc.gc.ca/

jasperbackcountry. Before setting out on a trip, check the latest trail conditions at

www.pc.gc.ca/jaspertrails

Planning your trip

On the trail

Welcome to the backcountry

Safety

Where to go?

The ideas on the back of this guide are a good starting

point for selecting a trip that meets your needs and

abilities. For more information, visit the Jasper National

Park website or talk with park information centre staff,

who can provide you with up-to-date information (see

Information Sources).

When to go?

The summer season usually begins in May in the

valley, but most alpine areas are still snow-bound until

late June. At this time of year low-elevation trails are the

best option. Be prepared for mud.

The best time for an alpine trip is late June to mid-

September, although snow often persists in high

passes until the middle of July. Even in summer,

mountain weather can be unpredictable. Always be

prepared for rain. Freezing temperatures and snow

are not uncommon above 1500 metres. Trails are

the busiest at this time of year.

Mid-September though October can be a lovely

time of year on the trails, the bugs are dead and there

are fewer people on the trails. But temperatures are

much colder with a greater chance of snowfall, and the

days are shorter.

November to April is winter in the mountains. Winter

travelers need to be prepared to cope with cold

temperatures, short days, deep snow and avalanche

danger. Winter guidelines are in effect at this time of

year. pc.gc.ca/mountainsafety

Reservations

Campsite reservations are strongly recommended. You

can make a reservation by phoning the Trail Office

780-852-6177 up to 3 months before your departure

date. A non-refundable registration fee applies.

Book early for semi-primitive and primitive campsites

(see map), as these are most popular.

Backcountry camping permits

A backcountry camping permit is mandatory for all

overnight trips and can be obtained by phoning the Trail

Ofﬁce (780) 852-6177.

Frequent backcountry travellers can purchase an

annual backcountry pass, valid in all the mountain

national parks for a full year after purchase date. If

you have an annual backcountry pass, you also need

a backcountry camping permit for each trip. Annual

backcountry pass holders pay only the reservation

fee for their backcountry camping permit.

Note to Alpine Club of Canada hut users:

If you are staying at an Alpine Club of Canada hut you

must either obtain a backcountry camping permit

from the Alpine Club, or bring along your annual

backcountry pass.

Voluntary Safety Registrations

If you do not have a reliable local contact to leave your

detailed backcountry travel information with, you can

safety registration ensures that if you do not return by

the date and time recorded, a search will be initiated

on your behalf. If you use the service, you must

report back immediately upon your return to a park

information centre.

Fees

Backcountry camping fees, excluding the reservation

fee, are entirely refundable up to 48 hours before your

proposed date of departure. If your plans change,

please take advantage of our refund policy and make

your space available to others.

For updated fee information visit:

pc.gc.ca/jasperfees

Weather

The most predictable thing about mountain weather is its

unpredictability. Rain or snow can fall at any time of

the year and freezing temperatures are possible even

during the summer. The best way to deal with the

weather is to prepare for all conditions. For a detailed

weather forecast, contact the Environment Canada

Weather Office at 780-852-3185 or visit their website

at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca.

Guidebooks on Jasper’s trails

Guidebooks and maps are available at the Friends

of Jasper or bookstores.

The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide

by Brian Patton and Bart Robinson

Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies

by Graeme Pole

Jasper-Robson: A Taste of Heaven

by Don Beers

Hiking Jasper and Mount Robson

by Rob Bryce

Maps of Jasper

Government of Canada NTS topographic maps,

1:50,000

Gemtrek Jasper and Maligne Lake, 1:100,000,

Columbia Iceﬁeld 1:75,000, Best of Jasper 1:35,000

National Geographic Trails Illustrated 1:100,000,

T903, Jasper North, T902, Jasper South

Map-it-First: mapitﬁrst.ca

For more information on each trail, trip planning and

topographical maps visit:

pc.gc.ca/jasperbackcountry

Travelling with Horses

Park information centres have information about guided

day or overnight horse trips in the park. The Horse

Users’ Guide (pc.gc.ca/jasperhorses) provides detailed

information to individuals or groups planning a horseback

trip. Call the Trail Office to obtain backcountry camping

and grazing permits (see Information Sources).

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is permitted only on trails designated

for bike use. Refer to the map for trails open to

mountain biking.

Climbing, Mountaineering

and Glacier Travel

Mountaineering parties can apply at a Parks information

centre to bivouac in non-vegetated areas. Special

restrictions may apply. A voluntary safety registration

is recommended. Visit pc.gc.ca/mountainsafety for

more information.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in many backcountry lakes. A

National Park Fishing Permit is mandatory. Provincial

fishing permits are not valid in National Parks.

Permits are sold at park information centres and

Jasper retail outlets that sell angling supplies. Get a

copy of the current Fishing Regulations Summary

with your permit. Visit pc.gc.ca/jasperﬁshing for

more information.

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.

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.

Camping

Please camp only at the campsites indicated on

your Backcountry Camping Permit and use the tent

pads (where provided). Check with park staff for

special restrictions.

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.

Campﬁres

Campfires are a luxury in the mountains and are not

permitted in some areas (see map). If you choose to

have a fire, 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.

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 required to store food.

Human waste

Use the pit toilets provided. 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. to the dark-coloured, biologically active soil layer.

Loosely fill the hole with soil afterward. Use as little

toilet paper as possible.

For more information on

low impact travel in the

backcountry contact:

leavenotrace.ca or

1-877-238-9343.

Managing Our Use

Humans have an impact in all areas of the park. The

backcountry is especially vulnerable to our use. Park

management regulations are in place to minimize our

environmental impact. They include quota restrictions

on trails and campsites, a limit on group size, a permit

system and restrictions on special use.

Uniformed Parks staff you encounter in the backcountry

may ask to see your Backcountry Camping Permit.

Jasper National Park offers a range of backcountry opportunities. Trails

and campsites are designated as semi-primitive, primitive or wildland.

Here’s what you can expect*:

Playing it safe

All outdoor activities involve some degree of risk.

Rapidly changing weather, steep, rugged or unfamiliar

terrain, avalanches (at any time of year), cold, swift-

flowing streams, canyons, rapids and waterfalls,

glacial crevasses, falling rocks and wild animals are all

backcountry hazards visitors may encounter. Caution

and self-reliance are essential.

Water

Giardia lamblia is a parasite carried by humans and

some domestic and wild animals. These parasites

can occur in any surface water in the park and may

contaminate the water supply. Boil your drinking

water or purify it with a water ﬁlter or iodine tablets.

Wildlife

Never forget that park animals are wild and can be

dangerous. Any animal can become aggressive if it

feels threatened, so keep your distance — 30 metres

from most animals, and at least 100 metres from bears.

Bears

Both black and grizzly bears are of special concern

to backcountry travellers. Learn more about how to

reduce the risk of bear encounters by reading the

wildlife safety brochures available at park information

centres or on the web at pc.gc.ca/jasper-bears.

Dogs

Wild animals see dogs as either prey or predator. They

can provoke confrontations with wildlife and affect

your safety. This is why dogs must be kept on leash

while in a national park. Please note that dogs are not

allowed in some backcountry areas to protect caribou.

Remember - YOU are responsible for your

own safety.

Semi-primitive Primitive Wildland

Receive the highest level of

service. Expect windfall to be

cleared and bridges, corduroys and

signs maintained. Campsites are

equipped with cable food-storage,

picnic tables, throne pit privies and

ﬁreboxes (where ﬁres are permitted).

You are very likely to meet

others on the trail.

Receive a lower level of

service. Expect windfall to

be cleared and bridges to be

maintained annually, but may not

be maintained prior to your trip.

Campsites are equipped with

bear poles and pit privies.

More remote. You may meet

others on the trail.

Little or no maintenance.

Provide opportunities for

experienced, self-reliant

users to travel and camp

in unmaintained areas

of the park

Many of these areas are

extremely remote.

*While we aim to achieve the above standards, inclement mountain weather and events can considerably

change trail, river and campsite conditions instantly. Self-reliance is important in all backcountry areas.

Brazeau in September

Jonas Pass

How to properly store your food

At least 4 m from ground and

1.3 m from the top and side

supports

Sleeping area

metre

50 metres

Cooking/eating area

Geraldine Lakes

Marmot

Tonquin Valley

Spruce Grouse

Photo: R. Gruys

Photo: J. Nadeau

Photo: C. Roy

Photo: M. Bradley

Grizzly Bear

Photo: M. Bradley

Photo: A. Zier-Vogel

Photo: R. Gruys

Photo: N. Gaboury

Filtering water

Photo: N. Gaboury

North Boundary Trail - Photo: A. Graham

Printed on recycled paper.

Printed in 04•2013

Également offert en français

Information

Parks Canada Trail Ofﬁce

JASPER TOWNSITE INFORMATION CENTRE

500 Connaught Dr. • 780-852-6177

Wilderness Passes, safety registrations (in person only),

trail reservations/information. [email protected] • pc.gc.ca/jasper

Weather forecasts 780-852-3185 • weatherofce.ec.gc.ca

Winter avalanche information

1-800-667-1105

pc.gc.ca/avalanche

Trail conditions 780-852-6177 • pc.gc.ca/jaspertrails

Park safety information • pc.gc.ca/mountainsafety

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL 911.

Cell phone reception outside of the Jasper townsite is unreliable.

Additional Contacts

PARKS CANADA INFORMATION, ICEFIELD CENTRE

(mid-May to early Sept) 780-852-6288 • jasper.ice[email protected]

Wilderness Passes, safety registrations (in person only), trail

information. 103 km south of Jasper on the Iceelds Parkway.

Public Safety Ofﬁce 780-852-6155

Information on mountaineering, ice climbing, public safety.

Parks Canada – General inquiries

1-888-773-8888 (Canada) 613-860-1251 (international)

[email protected] • pc.gc.ca

Friends of Jasper National Park 780-852-4767

Retail outlet at the Parks Canada information centre in Jasper.

[email protected] • friendsofjasper.com

Mt. Robson and Hamber Provincial Parks

Ph (250) 566-4325 (year round) 566-9174 (summer)

Reservations: 1-800-689-9025 • bcparks.ca

Checklist

Select a trip which best suits your party’s

abilities and experience, interests, equipment

and the time you have available.

Familiarize yourself with the trail you have

selected. This includes using additional reference

guides and topographic maps.

Obtain a Backcountry Camping Permit from a

Park Information Centre.

Check trail conditions and weather prior to

departure.

Be prepared to be self-sufﬁcient during inclement

and rapidly changing mountain conditions by

packing the right clothing and camping gear.

Let a friend or family member know about your

travel plans – or use Parks Canada’s safety

registration service.

Check the trailhead kiosk prior to your hike.

It contains valuable information about closures

and warnings.

For further details on PLANNING YOUR TRIP

visit pc.gc.ca/jasperbackcountry.

Sharing the Trail

Hikers, horse parties and

mountain bikers often share

trails and campsites in certain

parts of the park. Respect

for others can go a long way toward reducing

conflicts. Make noise if you are travelling

quickly or silently, move off the trail to allow

larger parties to pass, and avoid sudden

movement around horses as they may spook.

Share the trails

Partageons les sentiers

Skyline Trail

Photo: N. Gaboury

North Boundary

Photo: A. Graham

Snake Indian Falls

Photo: R. Gruys

1 2

Summary of Contents

Page 1 - Welcome to the backcountry

Exploring the backcountry Please leave no trace!Backcountry GuideJASPER NATIONAL PARKFryatt ValleyJasper National Park is the largest and most norther

Page 2 - Trip ideas

JASPERNATIONALPARK Iceﬁeld CentreIceﬁeld CentreAthabascaAndromedaSnow DomeColumbiaTangleKitchenerStutﬁeldWoolleyAlbertaAthabascaGlacierClemenceau Iceﬁ