The Karst Backpacking Trip
Castle Parks, near Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Remarkable scenery and cave landscapes
The Karst Backpacking Trip with Uplift Adventures
The Karst Backpacking Trip with Uplift Adventures
The Karst Backpacking Trip with Uplift Adventures
The Karst Backpacking Trip with Uplift Adventures
The Karst Backpacking Trip with Uplift Adventures
THE KARST BACKPACKING TRIP
Castle Parks, near Crowsnest Pass
A karst is a landscape predominantly derived from limestone and has been eroded over thousands of years to produce fissures, sinkholes, caves, and more. The karst backpacking trip takes you on a journey of exploration of moon-like landscapes. After a scenic day of backpacking, you will reach camp and want to immediately explore this awe-inspiring area. You will want to keep your eyes peeled for visitors though and it is common to see mountain goats and sheep carefully watching you from the alpine mountain slopes.
This backpacking trip can be done two different ways for private trips. You can do this as a 3-day backpack and have a basecamp at a junction point to the valleys. This will allow you to explore two valleys over three days, or book onto a 2-day trip staying high in the mountain environment.
This backpacking trip is designed for an intermediate to advanced backpacker.
2023 DATES
2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT
JULY 29 - 30
AUGUST 12 - 13 (sold out)
SEPT 9 - 10 (sold out)
* Available for private bookings
$424
per person
* price includes meals, group gear, professional guide, and more
** price does not include taxes
Prepare for your trip!
Packing for your trip
We have the ultimate backpacking list for you on our website. Check it out. If you have more questions, ask ahead of time and ease your mind.
The day of your trip
An email is sent out at least a week before your trip. Ensure you read this email as it will review the meeting location and other information important for your trip.
We will meet up the evening before for a pre-trip briefing. If this is your first backpacking trip, please let us know and we can review even the smallest details. If you enjoy your trip, then we are happy! We are here to help you... cough, cough.. to guide you. All questions are welcome.
Highlights of this tour
- Viewing karst landscapes and exploring a cave
- High potential of seeing alpine wildlife such as goats and sheep
- Expert knowledge from our locals guides
- River crossings
- True backcountry experience
INCLUDED
Food on Day 1 (lunch, snacks, supper)
Food on Day 2 (breakfast, lunch, snacks)
Safety equipment (carried by guide: bear spray, first aid kit, satellite communication device, repair kit, guide tarp, maps)
Group equipment (water filter / purification, cooking pots, cooking utensils, soap and scrubby, dishes, stoves, fuel, bear hang, rope)
Professional guide (our backpacking guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides and are Wilderness First Responders)
Permits
Small group sizes
NOT INCLUDED
✕ Transportation to trailhead
✕ Personal Gear (gear can be rented at an additional and discounted cost, such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks)
✕ Accommodations before and after the trip
✕ Breakfast on Day 1
✕ Supper on Day 2
✕ Cancellation insurance
✕ Gratuity
Tentative Trip Itinerary
|
Day 0 |
|
|
7 – 9PM |
Meet the night before in Crowsnest Pass to organize gear, go over logistics, distribute food, and make sure we are set up for success! |
|
Day 1 |
|
|
8AM |
Meet in Crowsnest Pass at the designated location discussed the night before. |
|
8AM – 8:30AM |
Travel to trailhead. |
|
8:30AM – 2PM |
You will quickly enter the stunning Castle Parks wilderness on your backpack trip. During the day, you will have several unbridged creek crossings to give you the ultimate experience of remoteness. You do not want to forget a quality pair of water shoes on this trip! Flip flops are not recommended. With your group, you will enjoy the beautiful mountain valley and follow a stunning creek before arriving at a talus slope. Listen for pikas as your make your final ascend into camp. After dinner and setting up your campsite, you can venture to a small cave and explore around the landscape. Distance: 7.5km |
|
Day 2 |
|
|
10AM – 2PM |
Enjoy the spectacular morning views and take in the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Your hike out today will be the same trail you took yesterday. On the way back, you can take a side trail to a hidden waterfall. Just remember that you have a few creek crossings, just to make your life a little more interesting. Distance: 7.5km |
Total Distance: 15 km*
* Not including optional hikes from camp
Meeting Location (Day 0): In Crowsnest Pass
A pre-trip meeting will be held the night before your trip. We ask all participants to attend.
The exact location will be emailed to you the week leading up to your adventure.
Tours can be offered to private groups with a minimum of four people between July and September. Please contact us for a private booking.
Book an upcoming tour now!
Select a date on the calendar to book your tour, or contact us to book a private tour.
Searching Availability...
OTHER TOURS YOU MIGHT LIKE
WATERTON WINTER WONDERLAND
Best experience during Waterton's winter
SCIENCE ICE WALK
Become a scientist-in-training
ADVENTURE CLUB
Weekly trips around Crowsnest Pass
"I had a wonderful weekend adventure with Uplift Adventures! I highly recommend this service to anyone heading out to the south Canadian Rockies and looking for a little fun and guidance to spice up your trip. Whether you're experienced or not, the team will make you feel comfortable and will not fail to make you smile..."