This will be a 7 night, 8 day backpack trip into the rustic Dolomite Valley, Isabella Lake and Devon Lakes, exiting via the North Molar Pass to Mosquito Creek.  This is one of the most breathtaking parts of the Rockies.  It feels more remote and is less travelled.  Camping in the Dolomite Valley, Isabella Lake and Devon Lakes are a real experience in the backcountry, as there are no designated camping spots.  It is possibly one of Banff’s best kept secrets!

Location: Banff NP, S end of Icefields Parkway, E of Bow Lake

Round Trip: ~84 km

Hiking Time: 7 nights, 8 days

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Elevation Gain: 1270 m in, 823 m out

Elevations: Helen Lake 1833 m, Katherine Lake 2412m, Dolomite Pass 2781m, Isabella Lake 1840m, Siffleur Campground 2000m, Devon Lakes 2329, Pipestone Pass 2457m, Fish Lakes 2240 m,

North Molar Pass 2590m, Mosquito Creek Campground 2000m, Mosquito Creek Trailhead 1880

Itinerary

 What to expect

• Hiking style is slow and steady.  This hike is not a heads down and storm through.
• Terrain will be moderate and at times very challenging.
• Hikers can expect to have to ford streams on this backpack.

Gear

• Hikers must have their own gear.
• Hiking poles are highly recommended, as we will be fording on this trek. A sturdy pair of water shoes or sandals will also be required. 
• There is no established campgrounds in the Dolomite Valley, at Isabella Lake and Devon Lakes, which means no convenient bear-proof food storage.  In the Dolomite Valley and at Isabella Lake, we will be able to hang our food from the trees. There is a large boulder with rocks in place to store our food for the night at Devon Lakes. You will need some sort of bear proof container or bag (I have the UrSack).
• In the absence of an outhouse in the Dolomite Valley, at Isabella Lake and Devon Lakes, you may wish to bring a small shovel.
• Come prepared with bear safe Bug Spray, certain areas along this hike are known to have bugs.

Backcountry Permits

• Bookings will be attempted on January 28, 2022 @ 8am MST (7am BC time)

• Fees – A non-refundable reservation fee applies to all bookings: $11.50 online reservations; $13.50 telephone reservations.  Overnight, per person $10.50.

• Maximum group size is 10 people, 5 tents.
• The maximum length of stay at one site is 3 consecutive days.
• All backcountry visitors must make reservations for overnight backcountry trips. A backcountry permit is also required for random camping and can only be obtained in person at Parks Canada visitor centres in Banff and Lake Louise, or by calling 403-762-1556 in Banff or 403-522-1264 in Lake Louise. A non-refundable reservation fee applies to all bookings.

• Backcountry permits are required for random camping at Dolomite Valley, Isabella Lake and Devon Lakes and can only be obtained in person at Parks Canada visitor centres in Banff and Lake Louise, or by calling 403-762-1556 in Banff or 403-522-1264 in Lake Louise. A non-refundable reservation fee applies to all bookings.

* Nicole will arrange all necessary backcountry permits and on trail campsite bookings.  Once all bookings are confirmed I will ask for payment up front.  In the event you cannot come you will loose your booking fees, unless you can fill your space with another hike leader approved hiker.

• Parks Canada passes will also be required for access to Banff National Park (Adult $72.25/Senior $61.75). If you are carpooling it’s a good idea to buy the Family/Group Discovery Pass ($145.25).  These can be purchased at the kiosks or prior to travel online (well in advance).

 Accommodations off the Trail

• Spend a few nights at the HI Mosquito Creek Wilderness Hostel or HI Lake Louise to explore more trails in the area!
• Another option would be the Mosquito Creek campground across from the Mosquito Creek trailhead.

Links of Interest:

• Backcountry Trails in Banff
• *** https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/alberta/fish-devon-katherine-ox-mosquito
• ***https://monkeystale.ca/2020/07/29/hiking-around-canadas-dolomite-peak/
• ***http://www.hikingwalking.com/destinations/ab/ab_rockies/banff/helen_dolomite/helen_dolomite_detail
• https://www.10adventures.com/backpacking/banff-national-park/devon-lakes-backpack/
• https://mattclay.zenfolio.com/devon_lakes