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Some of the most stunning mountain scenery in Canada on this hike
Some of the most stunning mountain scenery in Canada on this hike

Hiking the Nublet, Mount Assiniboine Park

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If you’re looking for the classic Mount Assiniboine view then hiking the Nublet is essential. It’s an easy day hike from either the Lake Magog Campground or from Mount Assiniboine Lodge. Strong hikers can continue on to Nub Peak for the ultimate view in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.

Hiking the Nublet happened for us in the second week of September after a big early season snowstorm came through leaving the area looking very wintry. Although it wasn’t much fun getting into the park the day before – due to horrendous driving out of Calgary, the payoff – incredible beauty of the snow covered peaks along with deep blue skies. 

Our hike starts in front of Mt. Assiniboine Lodge
Our hike starts in front of Mt. Assiniboine Lodge

Starting point for hiking the Nublet

We started our hike right in front of Mount Assiniboine Lodge. If you’re camping at Lake Magog, it’s very easy to find the signed trail to Nub Peak. The distance between the lodge and the campsite is 1.6 km.

Within minutes of starting out on the trail, we ran into the bird pictured below. It seemed totally unafraid of us – and was probably far more interested in just trying to stay warm. The temperature first thing in the morning was -16°C – in September.

This poor bird was all fluffed up because of the cold
This poor bird was all fluffed up because of the cold

From this intersection, it was a steady climb to the ridge below the Nublet. The views as you’ll see in the photos left me with my mouth open in awe.

We are heading in the direction of Nub Peak
We are heading in the direction of Nub Peak
Beautiful everywhere you look on the way towards the Nublet
Beautiful everywhere you look on the way towards the Nublet
Looking back in the direction of Mount Assiniboine Lodge
Looking back in the direction of Mount Assiniboine Lodge
View over Cerulean Lake
View over Cerulean Lake
The view from part way up the Nublet
The view from part way up the Nublet
Some of the most stunning mountain scenery in Canada on this hike
Some of the most stunning mountain scenery in Canada on this hike

Easy route-finding up the Nublet

Once we got to the ridge, we had to break trail with snow knee-deep in places. But even with the trail snow covered, it was easy to find a route up to the top of the Nublet.

The last steep pitch to the summit of the Nublet
The last steep pitch to the summit of the Nublet
Looking out to Elizabeth Lake from the Nublet
Looking out to Elizabeth Lake from the Nublet

Our original plan had been to climb to the summit of Nub Peak. To get there, you must traverse an airy ridge from the Nublet which is really more of a scramble, but under snowy conditions I wasn’t feeling “it”.

Chances of falling were slim but still it wasn’t in me to continue. Plus I wasn’t in the mood that day to hike for another three hours so after climbing about a third of the way along the ridge, I talked John into turning around. I don’t do that often, but after a wildly busy summer, I think I was just a little burnt out.

John heading towards Nub Peak
John heading towards Nub Peak

The return hike was a snap. I think we were back at the signed intersection in less than an hour – and in the two-three hours since we’d started hiking, the temperature had climbed enough that the snow started to melt.

Looking at the Nublet from the ridge to Nub Peak
Looking at the Nublet from the ridge to Nub Peak
Major wind and snow to cause this
Major wind and snow to cause this
Mount Assiniboine dominates the landscape on the Nublet hike
Mount Assiniboine dominates the landscape on the Nublet hike
By afternoon much of the snow is gone
By afternoon much of the snow is gone

I feel like I have unfinished business in this park. I would like to return and explore the area in more depth – and summit Nub Peak.

Getting to the Lake Magog Campsite & Mount Assiniboine Lodge

You have three options for getting to the Lake Magog Campsite – and Mount Assiniboine Lodge. Two are difficult and one is easy but expensive.

Easy but expensive

Fly in via helicopter. It’s about a 10 minute flight from the Mount Shark Trailhead. From what I was told, you have to be staying at either the Naiset Huts or Mount Assiniboine Lodge to get on a flight. It hasn’t always been this way, so I don’t know if I just got bad information.

Hike via Citadel Pass

Hike in starting at the Sunshine Trailhead. It’s accessed via a ride on the gondola from the Sunshine Village Ski Resort, located 18 km west of Banff. From the resort it’s a 29 km one way hike – that many people split up by spending a night at Og Lake.

Hike in from the Mount Shark Trailhead

Hike in from the Mount Shark Trailhead, located 38 km south of Canmore via the Smith-Dorrien Trail. Much of the hiking is tedious but it’s a shorter route – around 25 km one way. It too can be broken up by staying at the Bryant Creek Shelter. Once you get to Marvel Lake it gets more interesting.

In my opinion, the ultimate trip would involve hiking in from Sunshine Village, spending a few nights at the Lake Magog Campsite and then hiking out over Wonder Pass to the Mount Shark Trailhead. But you’d need to arrange a car shuttle or pick-up to do that.

Checked out the campsites and the cooking shelter
We checked out the campsites and the cooking shelter – note the bear lockers

Further reading on things to do in the Mount Assiniboine area

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Hiking the Nublet - one of Canada's most beautiful hikes in Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park, BC

 

 

 

 

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