Parking
Use the Mount Shark Trailhead lot, about 7 km beyond the Shark Mountain turnoff on the Spray Lakes and Smith-Dorrien route. Check road access and current Kananaskis vehicle-pass requirements before departure.
Overview
About Assiniboine Pass Trail
Why go
- Bryant Creek meadows open to views of Mount Cautley.
- A high pass gives the long approach a clear destination.
Heads up
- The upper hiking route climbs steeply after a long approach.
- Remote one-way logistics often require an overnight plan.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,717–2,198 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
- ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Assiniboine Pass Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Banff audio tour- 185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 162 trails, 90 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Trail guide
Hiking Assiniboine Pass Trail
Route and commitmentThe Mount Shark approach to Assiniboine Pass is a one-way, 21.8 km (13.
The Mount Shark approach to Assiniboine Pass is a one-way, 21.8 km (13.6 mi) point-to-point backcountry route. It follows the Watridge Lake and Bryant Creek corridors, then climbs to the high pass at the Alberta–British Columbia boundary. Allow about six to eight hours. This route ends at the pass crest; Lake Magog is roughly 4 km farther and is not included. Returning to Mount Shark along the same trail makes the walk about 43.6 km.
From Mount Shark to Bryant CreekThe first six kilometres are broad, mostly gentle and roadlike.
The first six kilometres are broad, mostly gentle and roadlike. The Watridge Lake junction comes near 3.7 km, followed by a descent and two bridge crossings: Upper Spray River at about 5.9 km and Bryant Creek near 6.6 km. Beyond Bryant Creek, the route follows a quieter, mostly forested corridor beside the creek. Expect the scenery to feel enclosed for several kilometres rather than alpine from the start.
Meadows and the pass climbAround McBride’s campground and the warden cabin, roughly 13–14 km in, trees give way to open…
Around McBride’s campground and the warden cabin, roughly 13–14 km in, trees give way to open meadow and views toward Mount Cautley. The Wonder Pass branch is nearby but is a different route. Farther on, the high hiking route separates from the lower horse trail. Stay on the signed hiking line: the final climb is steep and open, and an old horse track can lead toward Og Meadows. The pass is the endpoint for this entry; continuing to Magog Lake adds about 4 km.
Conditions and wildlifeSnow can linger on high trails into late June, and streams are commonly highest in June and…
Snow can linger on high trails into late June, and streams are commonly highest in June and July. The upper pass is exposed to fast-changing mountain weather. Carry bear spray where it is accessible, travel with a group, and check current conditions and route restrictions before committing to this remote crossing.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
123 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
466 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
