The path up to the Little Shovel Pass is one of three places where the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park ascends significantly. But with views like this on offer, those ascents are well worth it.
Hikers, get your packs set, lace up your shoes, and get ready to take a stroll on one of the great paths in all of the Canadian Rockies: the Skyline Trail.
The trails checks in at a hefty 44.1 kilometers and features an elevation change of 1.38 meters (4,526 feet). Yes, this is a walk and a half, which is why it is normally taken over two days – though if you really want to make a leisurely stroll over it, we urge you to give yourself three or even four days for it.
Hey, there’s plenty to see on the way. You won’t get bored! And the scenery … oh, my. Twenty-five kilometers of the Skyline Trail are at or above the tree line, which means views. Lots of views of the mountains and valleys of Jasper National Park!
We’re going to take you northward on the trail from Maligne Lake, partly because we love Maligne Lake and can’t think of a better place to begin a hike, and partly because there’s an 800-meter elevation change toward the end of the trail at Signal Mountain, and frankly, we’d much rather take that one going down, not up!
What, us, lazy? Whatever gave you that idea?
There are, actually, two ways to enter the trail at this end. Most folks set off at the trailhead inn the Maligne Lake parking lot, which takes you on a nice, meandering path through the forest past Lorraine and Mona lakes, then crosses the Evelyn Creek bridge to a campground. It’s such a nice beginning!
However, if you’re up for a challenge and don’t mind working a bit harder, you can climb the Bald Hills on a well-known shortcut to a view of Maligne Lake. It’s a beautiful sight, but you’re adding four kilometers and and a 500-meter climb to the path. Still, it’s pretty smooth sailing after the viewpoint; you’ll head down a fireroad and join the trail on the way to the Evelyn Creek bridge.
One of the many nice things about the trail is that there are many campgrounds along the way. The Evelyn Creek campground is a fine place, but it tends to be crowded; we prefer moving on up the climb through Little Shovel Pass. There’s a campground partway up the climb that offers a welcome respite from the incline! Little Shovel Pass is the first of three challenging climbs that await you (and aren’t you glad you’re going northward, and don’t have to face another climb at the very end!).
One of those ascents, by the way, can be found at 22 kilometers along the path. Just past the junction to the Wabasso Trail, the Skyline Trail passes Curator Lake and then climbs abruptly to the Notch, which at 2,511 meters is not only the highest point of this trail but also the highest section of trail in all of Jasper National Park.
It’s important to note that the Wabasso Trail serves as a nice escape path if the weather suddenly turns bad on you. You’re very high up along much of the Skyline and the weather can be iffy. It’s a good idea to keep that in mind as you travel.
Now, if the stunning scenery isn’t enough to entice you out onto the trail, you should know that the Skyline is a wildlife watcher’s dream. Wolves and mountain lions roam along the path searching for prey. Grizzly bears are spotted fairly regularly. And if you’re very lucky, you might see a woodland caribou. It’s a threatened species, and the trail has been recognized as critical caribou habitat.
One last thing to note: The Skyline is a very popular trail, so reservations to hike it must be made in advance. Call 1-780-852-6177 for information.