Explore the Dogtooth - Group Backpacking Experience​

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This backpacking trip is the ultimate opportunity to enjoy the backcountry and make lifelong memories! With this off-the-beaten-path itinerary, you'll be rewarded for the extra effort with stunning mountain vistas that are some of the least-visited spots in Western Canada. Be ready to experience the backcountry at its best, as you get to meet the other hikers in your group and bond over this experience of a lifetime. 

 

This adventure will take you through the lush valley meadows and jagged ridgelines of the Dogtooth range, just outside of Golden, British Columbia. Long a destination for intrepid explorers and mountaineers, the Dogtooth offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in the area, with sheer cliffs rising thousands of feet above tranquil creeks, turquoise lakes and wildflower-filled meadows. Nestled between the much more popular Canadian Rockies to the east, and the glacier-covered Selkirks to the west, the Dogtooth mountains offer a perfect destination for those seeking solitude, within a few hours drive from Calgary airport.

 

With stunning creeks, waterfalls, alpine passes, bright blue lakes and glaciers waiting to be discovered, don't delay! Book or inquire about your trip of a lifetime today.

 

Price

$1899 CAD + GST(5%)

Maximum number of backpackers: 6

Minimum required to confirm the trip: 3

 

Dates

September 4th - 7th 2026​

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Is this Trip for me?

This trip is rated as challenging, based on distance, elevation gain and terrain.

We will travel between 9-13 kilometers/5-8 miles per day with a variable elevation of up to 1,500 meters/4,900 feet with a backpack weighing up to 16 kg/35 lbs. Participants will carry their clothing and personal effects as well as a fair share of the group's equipment (food, tents, stoves, fuel, etc.).

Most of the trip will be off trail - meaning that your guide will be navigating through the terrain, and selecting the best route based on the current conditions. Over the course of the trip you will travel on dirt tracks, rocky slopes, dense forest, open meadows, as well as alpine ridgelines and passes. 

There are no planned creek or river crossings on this trip, but water levels can always change based on seasonal conditions. As such, it is still required for participants to bring a pair of creek-crossing shoes (see the equipment list below for more details).

Prior backpacking experience is not required but it is not recommended that individuals take this trip as their first experience of backcountry travel. You must be in good physical condition and we suggest that you train before going on this expedition.

 

Itinerary

Duration: 3 nights/4 days + 1 evening meeting

Location: Dogtooth Mountains, Golden, British Columbia

 

Day 0: Evening meeting

Duration: Approximately 1h30m

This is a chance for you to meet your guide face-to-face, go over all the details, and ask any last minute questions! The discussion will include:

• Route overview - a final confirmation of our planned route, with distances, elevations as well as what we can expect to see and other highlights!

• Equipment check - please have all of your backpacking equipment with you so that your guide can confirm that you have all necessary items

• Collect additional equipment - your guide will give you your tent, sleeping pad, shared group gear, as well as any requested items.

• Confirm pickup time and location for the next morning

• Discussion of possible hazards

• Signature of liability waiver, and confirmation of health/travel insurance

• Any other questions

 

Day 1: Transport and start of the adventure! 

Driving duration: Approximately 2h45m from Banff/3h15m from Canmore

Your guide will pick you up for an early start, as we make our way to the trailhead. You won't want to sleep though, as your drive will take you along the stunning Trans-Canada Highway over Kicking Horse Pass and through Yoho National Park. You'll make a quick rest stop in the town of Golden, before heading south, along an old, un-paved mining road that winds up into the heart of the mountains, and the start of your adventure!

 

The first morning will be spent on a well maintained hiking trail, allowing the group to slowly warm up and get used to those packs! The trail disappears at the top of a beautiful waterfall - making a great lunch stop - before continuing the rest of the adventure on unmarked terrain. A steep ascent to the top of your first peak gives stunning 360 views of both the Rockies and Purcell mountains, before you plunge into the next valley, and set up camp in a secluded opening, within the endless evergreen forest of British Columbia.

 

As you set up your tent and relax from the day, your guide will be busy preparing a hearty - and well-earned - meal for the group to enjoy together. After dinner, hikers are free to relax, chat, play games, or simply stare up at the sky as night rolls in and countless stars begin to show themselves overhead. When you're ready, head to bed and sleep well - it's going to be a big day tomorrow! 

 

Distance: 9.1 km/ 5.7 miles

Lowest elevation: 1,681 m/5,515 ft

Highest elevation: 2,526 m/8,287 ft

Accumulative elevation gain: 944m/3,097 ft

Duration: 8 hours, approx.

Difficulty: Moderate

 

Day 2: High Effort, High Reward

Wake up, and greet your guide, as you start the day with a delicious, warm breakfast, and - more importantly - a hot cup of tea or coffee! Once everyone is fed, you'll pack up camp and get ready for the next day on the trail. Day 2 is the longest of this trip, but well worth it, as you head into the heart of the Dogtooth range.

 

Leaving camp, you'll head out of the forest into a wide-open meadow that leads to a low pass, between two rocky peaks. Dropping down into the next valley, you'll skirt the edge of the forest, before climbing a slope that leads to a jewel of a lake, with a cliff-top view of the wild valley stretching out below.

 

Up and over the next alpine pass brings you to a broken and shattered, rocky valley - clear signs that mighty glaciers have recently uncovered this hidden landscape. As you progress through this glaciated terrain, you'll see icy remnants high on the cliffs above you, and may even spot some glacial ice hiding in the scree underfoot.

 

As you leave the glacier valley behind, you'll finish your longest day by descending into a lush, south-facing valley, filled with meadow grasses and wildflowers. Take a load off, because this will be your camp for the night! Soak your feet in the cool creek as your guide prepares another well-earned meal. 

 

Distance: 13.1 km/ 8.1  miles

Lowest elevation: 1,982 m/6,502 ft

Highest elevation: 2,504 m/8,215 ft

Accumulative elevation gain: 1,558 m/5,111 ft

Duration: 11 hours, approx.

Difficulty: Challenging

 

Day 3: Wandering the Alpine

After such a long day yesterday, enjoy a slower start this morning, and soak in the beautiful views of the sun hitting the glaciated Selkirk peaks in the distance. After another hearty breakfast, your hike begins by skirting the southern slopes of the same mountains that cast their shadows over you the day before. Whilst the northern aspects show signs of recent glaciation, these south-facing slopes will be covered in lush vegetation, and may even be the home to some of the local mountain fauna - keep your eyes open for mountain goats, marmots, and even the elusive grizzly bear!

 

After crossing several rocky ridgelines and lush valley bottoms, you'll make one last descent, before following a creek up to a small lake - the perfect spot for a mid-afternoon break. As you continue, you'll rejoin the trail you started out with on day 2, and follow it back to your first campsite of the trip, where we'll be staying for night 3! Eat well, and enjoy your last night in the wilderness before turning in for the night.

 

Distance: 10 km/ 6] miles

Lowest elevation: 1,972 m/6,469 ft

Highest elevation: 2,370 m/7,775 ft

Accumulative elevation gain: 768 m/2,519 ft

Duration: 7 hours, approx.

Difficulty: Moderate

 

Day 4: Final Glimpse of the Landscape

It may be the last day of your adventure, but that doesn't mean you're home just yet! Before you get back to civilisation you have an incredible day of ridgeline walking ahead - 360 degree views for most of the day. What better way to end the trip of a lifetime!

 

After striking camp, you'll begin by ascending a slope of dense forest, and quickly make your way out onto rocky slopes which traverse the side of the mountain. As you angle upwards, you'll eventually gain the ridgeline, which you'll follow for the next few hours. To the east: the endless chain of the Canadian Rockies, to the south: the sharp and dramatic peaks of the aptly named Dogtooth range, and to the west: the vast, tumbling glaciers of the iconic Selkirks. Soak it all in, and don't forget to breathe!

 

As you reach the end of the ridge, you'll pick up an established trail that will provide an easy route from the alpine back to the trailhead and the vehicle. Once back, congratulate yourselves on a job well done! You'll begin the return drive to Banff and Canmore, with a quick rest-stop in the town of Golden on the way. Say your goodbyes to the group, and we'll see you next time!

 

Distance: 10.7 km/6.7 miles

Lowest elevation: 1,685 m/5,528 ft

Highest elevation: 2,610 m/8,562 ft

Accumulative elevation gain: 709 m/2,326 ft

Duration: 7 hours, approx.

Difficulty: Moderate

 

What's included:

Professional Hiking Guide

Your trip will be led by one of our experienced hiking guides - you can check out their bios on our website: https://www.banffhikingcompany.com/banff-local-certified-hiking-guide 

 

They are all certified ACMG (Association of Canadian Mountain Guides) hiking guides, as well as Professional Interpreters with the IGA   (Interpretive Guides Association) and Wilderness First Responders. In addition, they hold the ACMG winter hiking accreditation and AST 1 (Avalanche Safety Training Level 1).

 

Equipment

We provide all cooking equipment, tents and sleeping pads for the group, as well as hiking poles. In addition, the guide has emergency communication devices, bear spray, water purification filters and an emergency first aid kit, suitable for remote areas. You will need to bring your personal clothing and your own expedition gear (see equipment list below).

 

Food

We provide all meals and snacks for this expedition; from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. We prepare healthy and nutritious meals to keep your energy up throughout the program. You will be consulted for your dietary preferences and allergies when booking. Clients are free to bring any additional snacks or food items if they wish.

 

Transportation

We provide transportation from your accommodation in Banff or Canmore to the trailhead and back. If you would like us to pick you up from a location other than those listed above, we will need to discuss this beforehand. We can also offer you a shuttle from Calgary to Banff or Canmore or Lake Louise at a reasonable rate.

 

Camping and National Park Fees 

Backcountry camping fees and your National Park "access permit" are included.

 

Not Included 

• Sleeping bag (can be rented)

• Camping equipment or clothing outside of the provided service 

• Transportation outside the provided service

• Park entrance fees outside the provided service 

• Accommodation outside of the provided service

• Food outside of the provided service 

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