GROUP 12
Updated March 2, 2020
Departure: Sunday, September 20 (early - 6:00 am appx.)
Bus Number: TBA
Return: Saturday, September 25 (after dinner)
Departure: Sunday, September 20 (early - 6:00 am appx.)
Bus Number: TBA
Return: Saturday, September 25 (after dinner)
LAKE O'HARA PLANNING ITINERARY: SUBJECT TO CHANGES - YOUR CHAPERONE WILL CONFIRM ALL ROUTES
Skoki Valley - Group 12
Day 1 - Sunday: Meet your group in the OKM parking lot bright and early to board your assigned bus. Gear will be stored in chaperone support vehicles and you will only need your jacket and bagged lunch on the bus. First stop will be a bathroom break in Sicamous. From there we will travel to the Roger’s Pass Visitor Information Center for a safety presentation. From here it is approximately 4 hours to the Lake Louise Campground on Hwy 1. After arriving at Lake Louise, you will set up your camp, enjoy your car camping meal and prepare to set off on your through hike tomorrow morning. If you have time, your group can night hike up to Lake Louise via the Louise Creek Trail (6km return).
Day 2 - Monday - Fish Creek to Baker Lake (13.2 km/710 m elevation gain - moderate): Up early and on your assigned bus by 9:00 am. Your bus will drop you off at the Fish Creek / Skoki Valley Trailhead. This first day of hiking will put your legs to the test! The first 3.9 km on the road past Lake Louise Ski Hill is a bit dull but you can work out the kinks, adjust the packs and get to know each other walking two-by-two or in small groups. At the Temple Day Lodge and trail board you will see that the road ends and a wide trail begins. Follow this to Halfway Hut or Ptarmigan Lake for a lunch break before dropping that last 1.5 km down to Baker Lake campsite. Try to get the tent pads with the lake view! Set up camp, have dinner and then do a sunset or night hike to the outflow of Baker Lake. There is a gorgeous waterfall overlooking a huge valley.
Day 3 - Tuesday - Baker Lake to Red Deer Lakes (5.2 km - easy): Relax in camp in the morning and head out towards Red Deer Lake a short 6km away. There is not a lot of elevation today as you cross over Cotton Grass pass. Depending on precipitation levels, be prepared for mud! At the junction with Jones Pass or Red Deer Lakes, head towards Red Deer Lakes. After an early dinner you could go on a night excursion to explore Cyclone Cabin, Hatchet Lake or if you have a very keen group Natural Bridge which is about 6km from camp. Remember your first aid kit and headlamps for your night hike.
Day 4 - Wednesday - Red Deer Lakes to Merlin Meadows (4.9 km - easy - plus day hike option to Merlin Lakes 6.2 km): This is a grand hiking day so get up early so that you can complete the optional Merlin Lakes hike from merlin Meadows. Head back towards the junction with Jones Pass and hike through Jones Pass. You will see another junction between Deception Pass and Skoki Lodge - head towards Skoki Lodge. Skoki Lodge was built in 1931 and has been a must visit for generations of backcountry skiers and hikers. If you happen to pass by between 2:00 and 4:00, you can enjoy afternoon tea! From Skoki Lodge continue 1.2 km to Merlin Meadows. Hang all food in the bear poles or in storage lockers. Once camp is set up, head up the Merlin Meadows trail passing Skoki Lodge and crossing a wooden bridge before seeing Merlin Lake (6.2 km return). This lake is the main attraction in the Skoki Valley. Once at the lake head out towards Merlin Ridge and crest it near Merlin Castle. This is a large outcropping of rocks that are shaped somewhat like a castle. Kids can climb on the castle but have spotters for anyone that is not strong at bouldering. Remember you are a long way from help and a rolled ankle is a trip buster. After lunch around the Castle travel back towards Skoki Lodge via the Merlin Lake Trail. This is a really cool trail cut out of the hillside. Once at Skoki Lodge turn North and head back to camp.
Day 5 - Thursday - Merlin Meadows to Hidden lake (8.5 km/375 m elevation gain - moderate): Pack up and head out early as you have one of your most beautiful days ahead. There are two options to get to Hidden Lake campsite. One is more beautiful and eventful than the other but it is not marked on most maps.
Day 6 - Friday - Hidden Lake to Fish Creek (7.3 k - easy): Today is your day to get back to civilization. The bus is picking you up from Fish Creek trailhead at 9:30 am. It is a downhill, easy hike out. Pack up the support vehicles with the gear and get ready to see the rest of the groups.
We will rendezvous at Roger’s Pass Monument (Time TBA) with all the other groups. A group picture will be taken here. Then we will proceed to Revelstoke for a lunch break at the fast food strip on the left-hand side of the highway at the main intersection.
Let your parents know once you have an idea when you will be home so they can arrange for you to be picked up (usually around dinner time).
Skoki Valley - Group 12
Day 1 - Sunday: Meet your group in the OKM parking lot bright and early to board your assigned bus. Gear will be stored in chaperone support vehicles and you will only need your jacket and bagged lunch on the bus. First stop will be a bathroom break in Sicamous. From there we will travel to the Roger’s Pass Visitor Information Center for a safety presentation. From here it is approximately 4 hours to the Lake Louise Campground on Hwy 1. After arriving at Lake Louise, you will set up your camp, enjoy your car camping meal and prepare to set off on your through hike tomorrow morning. If you have time, your group can night hike up to Lake Louise via the Louise Creek Trail (6km return).
Day 2 - Monday - Fish Creek to Baker Lake (13.2 km/710 m elevation gain - moderate): Up early and on your assigned bus by 9:00 am. Your bus will drop you off at the Fish Creek / Skoki Valley Trailhead. This first day of hiking will put your legs to the test! The first 3.9 km on the road past Lake Louise Ski Hill is a bit dull but you can work out the kinks, adjust the packs and get to know each other walking two-by-two or in small groups. At the Temple Day Lodge and trail board you will see that the road ends and a wide trail begins. Follow this to Halfway Hut or Ptarmigan Lake for a lunch break before dropping that last 1.5 km down to Baker Lake campsite. Try to get the tent pads with the lake view! Set up camp, have dinner and then do a sunset or night hike to the outflow of Baker Lake. There is a gorgeous waterfall overlooking a huge valley.
Day 3 - Tuesday - Baker Lake to Red Deer Lakes (5.2 km - easy): Relax in camp in the morning and head out towards Red Deer Lake a short 6km away. There is not a lot of elevation today as you cross over Cotton Grass pass. Depending on precipitation levels, be prepared for mud! At the junction with Jones Pass or Red Deer Lakes, head towards Red Deer Lakes. After an early dinner you could go on a night excursion to explore Cyclone Cabin, Hatchet Lake or if you have a very keen group Natural Bridge which is about 6km from camp. Remember your first aid kit and headlamps for your night hike.
Day 4 - Wednesday - Red Deer Lakes to Merlin Meadows (4.9 km - easy - plus day hike option to Merlin Lakes 6.2 km): This is a grand hiking day so get up early so that you can complete the optional Merlin Lakes hike from merlin Meadows. Head back towards the junction with Jones Pass and hike through Jones Pass. You will see another junction between Deception Pass and Skoki Lodge - head towards Skoki Lodge. Skoki Lodge was built in 1931 and has been a must visit for generations of backcountry skiers and hikers. If you happen to pass by between 2:00 and 4:00, you can enjoy afternoon tea! From Skoki Lodge continue 1.2 km to Merlin Meadows. Hang all food in the bear poles or in storage lockers. Once camp is set up, head up the Merlin Meadows trail passing Skoki Lodge and crossing a wooden bridge before seeing Merlin Lake (6.2 km return). This lake is the main attraction in the Skoki Valley. Once at the lake head out towards Merlin Ridge and crest it near Merlin Castle. This is a large outcropping of rocks that are shaped somewhat like a castle. Kids can climb on the castle but have spotters for anyone that is not strong at bouldering. Remember you are a long way from help and a rolled ankle is a trip buster. After lunch around the Castle travel back towards Skoki Lodge via the Merlin Lake Trail. This is a really cool trail cut out of the hillside. Once at Skoki Lodge turn North and head back to camp.
Day 5 - Thursday - Merlin Meadows to Hidden lake (8.5 km/375 m elevation gain - moderate): Pack up and head out early as you have one of your most beautiful days ahead. There are two options to get to Hidden Lake campsite. One is more beautiful and eventful than the other but it is not marked on most maps.
- Via Deception Pass - a straightforward journey up and over the obvious pass back into the Skoki Valley
- Via Packers Pass - a slightly more adventurous take on the traditional Skoki loop, involving some light scrambling, but rewards rewards you with stunning lakeside views
Day 6 - Friday - Hidden Lake to Fish Creek (7.3 k - easy): Today is your day to get back to civilization. The bus is picking you up from Fish Creek trailhead at 9:30 am. It is a downhill, easy hike out. Pack up the support vehicles with the gear and get ready to see the rest of the groups.
We will rendezvous at Roger’s Pass Monument (Time TBA) with all the other groups. A group picture will be taken here. Then we will proceed to Revelstoke for a lunch break at the fast food strip on the left-hand side of the highway at the main intersection.
Let your parents know once you have an idea when you will be home so they can arrange for you to be picked up (usually around dinner time).