Description

Distance: 38.54
Elevation Gain: 1304m
Surface: Maintained trail (Mainly single track)
Trail Type: Loop
Parking: Fish Creek Parking Lot

The Skoki backcountry is one of the most stunning destinations in Banff National Park. Located just east of the Lake Louise Ski Area, this area offers a variety of terrain, from huge open meadows to beautiful alpine lakes. Some of the highlights include Skoki Lodge, the oldest commercial ski lodge in Canada, and Deception Pass, a high mountain pass with spectacular views. The route described here is often done as a backpacking loop over 3-4 days, but it also makes an excellent run for those who are fit and experienced.

The loop is best done counter-clockwise, as you will enjoy a long and gentle descent from Boulder Pass to Red Deer Lakes, passing through some of the most scenic landscapes in the area. The trail is almost entirely beautiful single track, with only a brief approximately 4km road section from the parking lot to the edge of the ski hill boundary. The trail on the north side of Deception Pass is a bit eroded in some sections, but overall it is not too bad - the trail offers some stunning views and is still very runner friendly.

For those who want to skip the less scenic part of the trip, there is an option to charter a bus from the parking area to the ski hill boundary. This way, you can save yourself from running a total of 8 km (because you must run this approximately 4 km section both ways) along a ski hill access road. The bus service is available from mid-June to mid-September, and you need to book it in advance. You can find more information about the bus service on the Lake Louise Ski Resort website.

The trail in the Skoki backcountry is easy to navigate for the most part, as most junctions are well marked and easy to follow. However, because there are so many branching trails in the area, it is best to take a map with you and check it regularly. There are a few unmarked offshoot trails leading to a horse pen just to the west of Red Deer Lakes, and you should take care to remain on the proper trail in this section.

If you want to explore more of the Skoki backcountry, you have plenty of options to choose from. The trail system in this area is vast and this is just one of many good options for running in this area. You are encouraged to explore and find other routes that suit your interests and abilities. Here are some other ideas for this area:

- A figure 8 around Skoki Mountain and Fossil Mountain
- Going over Packers Pass instead of Deception Pass
- A detour into Merlin Valley to the shores of Merlin Lakes