Skyline Trail (Jasper National Park)

Skyline Trail
180 degree panorama, centre is looking east.
Length	44 km (27 mi)
Location	Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Trailheads	Maligne Lake, Maligne Canyon
Use	Hiking
Elevation
Elevation gain/loss	1,410 m (4,626 ft)
Highest point	Notch (2,511 m (8,238 ft))
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	intermediate (3 day hike)

The Skyline Trail is a hiking trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is well known for its scenic views, with much of the hike being located above the treeline. It is also infamous for its variable weather as it is above the treeline; this can become a problem for hikers.

The trail is recognized as one of the best backpacking trails in the Canadian Rockies. With 25 km of the total 44.1 km of the trail at or above the treeline, it offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It is normally hiked over two days from Maligne Lake to the bottom of Signal Mountain, but it alternatively may be hiked at a more moderate pace over 3 to 4 days. It is recommended to hike the trail south to north from Maligne Lake, as the fire road descending to Signal Mountain on the north end is an 800m elevation loss. There are three challenging passes to conquer, including the highest section of trail in Jasper National Park.

There are campgrounds at 5 km, 8 km, 12 km, 19 km, 30 km, and 35 km, offering options for hikers of any persuasion (Evelyn Creek, Little Shovel, Snowbowl, Curator, Tekarra, and Signal respectively). The campgrounds are well established, offering tent pads, picnic tables, bear poles with metal cables and connectors and toilets. Hikers must bring their own stoves as campfires are banned.

Camping is only permitted at the designated campgrounds, which must be reserved in advance. Visitors are recommended to book sites as early as possible, as the Skyline Trail is one of the busiest backpacking trails in the Rockies.

There are two main ways to enter the Skyline Trail. The majority of visitors opt for the main trail; from the parking lot at Maligne Lake, the hike begins with a gentle walk through the forest past Lorraine and Mona Lakes, before crossing the Evelyn Creek bridge to the campground. The second option, adding 4 km and 500m of elevation gain, is to climb the Bald Hills by using a well-established short cut for a magnificent view of Maligne Lake before heading down the fireroad and joining the trail to the Evelyn Creek bridge.

Evelyn Creek campground is a camping spot in the forest adjacent to the creek, but it is recommended that it be passed over for campgrounds at higher elevations. Following Evelyn Creek Campground the trail climbs to Little Shovel Pass. Because the campground after Little Shovel, Snowbowl, is heavily used, if possible Little Shovel Campground is an excellent option for an overnight stay, especially as it is situated part way up Little Shovel Pass so it offers a respite from the steady climb. From Little Shovel Campground, the trail breaks out of the trees into the upper subalpine, continuing its climb to Little Shovel Pass at 10 km. Entering the Snowbowl, the Skyline Trail can be seen meandering through open meadows until it enters the trees wherein the Snowbowl Campground is sheltered.