Elysium Pass Backpacking

Adventure Awaits Off the Beaten Path

3 Day Guided Backpacking Adventure, $950.00 Per Person (Includes Group Gear, Guiding, Permits, and Transportation To/From the Trailheads. See Below For Details.

North of the Jasper Townsite rise peaks of the Victoria Cross Range of Mountains and Elysium Pass.  The pass is an expansive area boasting impressive mountains, unspoiled scenery, and a break from the busy crowds throughout much of the rest of the park.  Our three-day adventure allows guests to experience the wonder of Elysium Pass, and (weather permitting) an ascent of Elysium Mountain while exploring forest and meadows in the region. 

This is a difficult but rewarding adventure and an excellent way to gain more experience backpacking in more-rugged areas.

Basemap obtained from NRCAN NTS Series. Copyright: His Majesty the King in Right of Canada.

Adventure Awaits Off the Beaten Path

3 Day Guided Backpacking Adventure, $950.00 Per Person (Includes Group Gear, Guiding, Permits, and Transportation To/From the Trailheads. See Below For Details.

North of the Jasper Townsite rise peaks of the Victoria Cross Range of Mountains and Elysium Pass.  The pass is an expansive area boasting impressive mountains, unspoiled scenery, and a break from the busy crowds throughout much of the rest of the park.  Our three-day adventure allows guests to experience the wonder of Elysium Pass, and (weather permitting) an ascent of Elysium Mountain while exploring forest and meadows in the region. 

This is a difficult but rewarding adventure and an excellent way to gain more experience backpacking in more-rugged areas.

Basemap obtained from NRCAN NTS Series. Copyright: His Majesty the King in Right of Canada.

Daily Itinerary

  • Day 1: Morning Meeting: Our trip starts in the Jasper Townsite with a morning meeting. Your guide will meet with all guests to discuss safety, and ensure all guests are using appropriate equipment. After the meeting we set off west on a short (10 minute) drive from the Townsite to the trailhead. The Elysium Pass Route starts on the popular Dorothy and Christine Lakes Trail before branching off to a more-rugged path. The trail can be quite steep and has several muddy sections, but travelers are rewarded with excellent views after cresting treeline. After reaching our campground at 1970 m we will get our tents set up and settle in for an evening of mountain scenery along with a tasty feast. [Distance: 14 km. Elevation Gain/Loss: 1100 m/250 m.)

  • Day 2: After waking up to a hearty breakfast and snapping pictures of morning glow mountains near and far, we switch into day-hiking mode and hiking with light packs start on a scenic loop around Elysium Mountain. This is a great day for mountain views, wildflowers, and pristine Canadian Rockies wilderness scenery. We return to our camp in the afternoon and enjoy another night of Rocky Mountain tranquility. [Distance: 9 km. Elevation Gain/Loss: 950 m/950 m.)

  • Day 3: On our last day of the trip we start with a nutritious breakfast before packing up our equipment and returning to the trailhead via the Elysium Pass Route. [Distance: 14 km. Elevation Gain/Loss: 250 m/1100 m.)

Daily Itinerary

  • Day 1: Our trip starts in the Jasper Townsite with a morning meeting. Your guide will meet with all guests to discuss safety, and ensure all guests are using appropriate equipment. After the meeting we set off west on a short (10 minute) drive from the Townsite to the trailhead. The Elysium Pass Route starts on the popular Dorothy and Christine Lakes Trail before branching off to a more-rugged path. The trail can be quite steep and has several muddy sections, but travelers are rewarded with excellent views after reaching treeline. After reaching our campground at 1970 m we will get our tents set up and settle in for an evening of mountain scenery along with a tasty feast. [Distance: 14 km. Elevation Gain/Loss: 1100 m/250 m.)

  • Day 2: After waking up to a hearty breakfast and snapping pictures of morning glow mountains near and far, we switch into day-hiking mode and hiking with light packs start on a scenic loop around Elysium Mountain. This is a great day for mountain views, wildflowers, and pristine Canadian Rockies wilderness scenery. We return to our camp in the afternoon and enjoy another night of Rocky Mountain tranquility. [Distance: 9 km. Elevation Gain/Loss: 950 m/950 m.)

  • Day 3: On our last day of the trip we start with a nutritious breakfast before packing up our equipment and returning to the trailhead via the Elysium Pass Route. [Distance: 14 km. Elevation Gain/Loss: 250 m/1100 m.)

Why Go Backpacking With Us?

A guided backpacking adventure is a great way to start out or keep building your backcountry travel skills. Guests choose guided adventures for many reasons including:

  • Simplifying logistics (we supply group camping gear, food, and all relevant permits)

  • Safety (guides are skilled in managing backcountry hazards and certified in advanced wilderness first aid and emergency responses)

  • Learning about the landscape (gain local knowledge about natural history, wildlife, and plants)

  • Skill building (learn better backcountry travel, navigation, and self-sufficient wilderness expertise)

  • Less stressful travel (guides help carry food and equipment, setting up camp, and locating all the best viewpoints)

Why Go Backpacking With Us?

A guided backpacking adventure is a great way to start out or keep building your backcountry travel skills. Guests choose guided adventures for many reasons including:

  • Simplifying logistics (we supply group camping gear, food, and all relevant permits)

  • Safety (guides are skilled in managing backcountry hazards and certified in advanced wilderness first aid and emergency responses)

  • Learning about the landscape (gain local knowledge about natural history, wildlife, and plants)

  • Skill building (learn better backcountry travel, navigation, and self-sufficient wilderness expertise)

  • Less stressful travel (guides help carry food and equipment, setting up camp, and locating all the best viewpoints)

  • Vast Remote Valleys

  • Rustic Mountain Camping

  • Vast Remote Valleys

  • Rustic Mountain Camping

General Adventure Info

What is Included?

  • Guiding

  • Park Visitor and Camping Fees

  • Food During the Adventure (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks)

  • Group Equipment (tents, sleeping pads, cooking gear, water treatment equipment, bear spray, tarps)

  • First Aid Equipment (carried by your guide)

  • Transportation To and From The Trailheads

What Does an Average Day on the Trail Look Like?

Life on the trail can be a bit different than what some people are used to. On a typical day, your guide will have breakfast prepared by 0730 and we will start hiking around 0900. We travel as a group for comradery and safety at a comfortable pace, and aim to reach our next camp around 1600. Dinner and desert follows around 1700 with personal free time in the evenings for picture taking, star-gazing, and soaking up the tranquility of the landscape. During the day we take breaks and lunch stops at scenic sites. We are generally travelling between 15-20 km per day (see the daily itinerary below for specific daily distances and elevations).

Required Personal Equipment:

  • Hiking Boots (previously used and well-fitted, waterproof boots are highly recommended)

  • Large Backpacking Backpack (we recommend between 55-65 L capacity, guests will be responsible for carrying a portion of group gear and food during the trip)

  • Sleeping Bag (for this adventure we recommend a 0C/32F rating, down sleeping bags are recommended over synthetic sleeping bags)

  • Pillow (a small dry-bag or commercially made backcountry pillow can enhance sleep and boosts overnight recovery)

  • Camera (there are an innumerably large number of excellent viewpoints along the route, and a camera with plenty of memory is highly recommended)

  • Sun Screen and Lip Balm (we recommend sun screen of 50 or higher SPF rating)

  • Headlamp (with new batteries)

  • Sunglasses (rated for UV protection)

  • Personal Medications and Blister Kit (any medications you take along with any personal blister products such as Moleskin)

  • Insect Repellent Spray

  • Personal Water Bottle/Bladder (1-2 L capacity is recommended, your guide will treat and carry any additional water as needed)

  • Hiking poles (collapsible)

How Should I Prepare?

How much training you need depends on many factors. Wherever you are starting from, it is a good plan to start walking and hiking several months before your adventure and gradually increase pack weight during your training. Walking up stairs with a weighted pack is a great way to get your legs ready to traverse scenic mountain passes. Look at the itinerary below for a day-by-day breakdown of this adventure.

Are There Any Risks?

Any travel in the mountains comes with some risks. All guests will be required to read, understand, and agree to our Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumptions of Risks and Indemnity Agreement which fully details risks associated with this adventure.

If you have any additional questions, please Contact Us.

Required Personal Clothing:

  • Waterproof Jacket (well-fitted to allow for movement and breathable)

  • Waterproof Pants (“rain pants” with full length zippers to allow for easy transitions are recommended)

  • Insulated Jacket (to be worn around camp on chilly mornings and evenings)

  • Insulated Pants (“long underwear” or a similar layer to cover legs while at camp or on the move)

  • Base Layers (top and bottom, breathable synthetic or wool material)

  • Hiking Shirt and Pants (for wearing while travelling, NO COTTON MATERIALS)

  • Socks (synthetic or wool, bring at least two well-fitted pairs)

  • Hat (baseball style cap for wearing while travelling)

  • Insulated Hat (synthetic or wool toque or cap for wearing at camp)

  • Camp Shoes (lightweight footwear to wear around camp or use during creek crossings)

  • Insulated Gloves (synthetic or wool, quick drying recommended)

What is Not Included?

  • Accommodation in the Jasper Townsite

  • Food while in the Jasper Townsite

  • Personal Equipment (see list on the right)

General Adventure Info

What is Included?

  • Guiding

  • Park Visitor and Camping Fees

  • Food During the Adventure (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks)

  • Group Equipment (tents, sleeping pads, cooking gear, water treatment equipment, bear spray, tarps)

  • First Aid Equipment (carried by your guide)

  • Transportation To and From The Trailheads

What Does an Average Day on the Trail Look Like?

Life on the trail can be a bit different than what some people are used to. On a typical day, your guide will have breakfast prepared by 0730 and we will start hiking around 0900. We travel as a group for comradery and safety at a comfortable pace, and aim to reach our next camp around 1600. Dinner and desert follows around 1700 with personal free time in the evenings for picture taking, star-gazing, and soaking up the tranquility of the landscape. During the day we take breaks and lunch stops at scenic sites. We are generally travelling between 15-20 km per day (see the daily itinerary below for specific daily distances and elevations).

Required Personal Equipment:

  • Hiking Boots (previously used and well-fitted, waterproof boots are highly recommended)

  • Large Backpacking Backpack (we recommend between 55-65 L capacity, guests will be responsible for carrying a portion of group gear and food during the trip)

  • Sleeping Bag (for this adventure we recommend a 0C/32F rating, down sleeping bags are recommended over synthetic sleeping bags)

  • Pillow (a small dry-bag or commercially made backcountry pillow can enhance sleep and boosts overnight recovery)

  • Camera (there are an innumerably large number of excellent viewpoints along the route, and a camera with plenty of memory is highly recommended)

  • Sun Screen and Lip Balm (we recommend sun screen of 50 or higher SPF rating)

  • Headlamp (with new batteries)

  • Sunglasses (rated for UV protection)

  • Personal Medications and Blister Kit (any medications you take along with any personal blister products such as Moleskin)

  • Insect Repellent Spray

  • Personal Water Bottle/Bladder (1-2 L capacity is recommended, your guide will treat and carry any additional water as needed)

  • Hiking poles (collapsible)

How Should I Prepare?

How much training you need depends on many factors. Wherever you are starting from, it is a good plan to start walking and hiking several months before your adventure and gradually increase pack weight during your training. Walking up stairs with a weighted pack is a great way to get your legs ready to traverse scenic mountain passes. Look at the itinerary below for a day-by-day breakdown of this adventure.

Are There Any Risks?

Any travel in the mountains comes with some risks. All guests will be required to read, understand, and agree to our Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumptions of Risks and Indemnity Agreement which fully details risks associated with this adventure.

If you have any additional questions, please Contact Us.

Required Personal Clothing:

  • Waterproof Jacket (well-fitted to allow for movement and breathable)

  • Waterproof Pants (“rain pants” with full length zippers to allow for easy transitions are recommended)

  • Insulated Jacket (to be worn around camp on chilly mornings and evenings)

  • Insulated Pants (“long underwear” or a similar layer to cover legs while at camp or on the move)

  • Base Layers (top and bottom, breathable synthetic or wool material)

  • Hiking Shirt and Pants (for wearing while travelling, NO COTTON MATERIALS)

  • Socks (synthetic or wool, bring at least two well-fitted pairs)

  • Hat (baseball style cap for wearing while travelling)

  • Insulated Hat (synthetic or wool toque or cap for wearing at camp)

  • Camp Shoes (lightweight footwear to wear around camp or use during creek crossings)

  • Insulated Gloves (synthetic or wool, quick drying recommended)

What is Not Included?

  • Accommodation in the Jasper Townsite

  • Food while in the Jasper Townsite

  • Personal Equipment (see list on the right)

Price, Schedules, and Logistics

  • Be sure to read our Payment and Cancellation Policy below before confirming registration.

    All prices are listed in Canadian Dollars. Exchange from foreign currencies will be conducted by our PayPal (our Payment Processor).

    Starry Summit Mountain Adventures also accepts Bitcoin. If you are interested in paying for your adventure in Bitcoin please specify this on your booking request form below.

  • Each adventure has a minimum number of guests for it to run listed on the dates column in the left. Programs are assessed for enrollment 90 days before the departure date. If a given program is below the minimum threshold value enrolled guests will be given the option of paying an under-enrollment offset fee to continue with the adventure otherwise they will receive a full refund. See the link on the left for detailed policies.

  • This trip will start with an orientation in the Jasper Townsite the night before the first day of the program. Transportation will be provided to and from the Jasper Townsite. Guests are advised to make arrangements to store any extra luggage or baggage with their hotel/lodging while they are away on their adventure.

  • If you are interested in this adventure, please fill out the form below. Starry Summit Mountain Adventures staff will be in touch and go over trip equipment, costs, and logistics. Full payment is due upon confirmation of trip enrollment.

    Cancellation Policy and Refunds: Guests are allowed to cancel their booking and receive a full refund up to 90 days before the start of an adventure. If guests cancel their booking with less than 90 days prior to the start of the adventure refunds diminish in a progressive manner. See the link on the left for details or your trip confirmation details received upon booking.

    We strongly recommend guests purchase Travel Insurance to provide coverage in case of trip cancellation, or in the event of a medical emergency during the trip. While we do not endorse any specific insurance providers common companies operating in Canada include (Tugo, Blue Cross, etc.).

  • All guests will be required to sign a “Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumptions of Risks and Indemnity Agreement” commonly referred to as the “waiver” before starting an adventure. Waivers are available for download (ZZZ) and will be provided to you upon confirmation of booking. Paper waivers will also be signed on the first day of each SSMA adventure. If any guest is unwilling to sign the waiver they will not be able to participate in the adventure. Any guests not of the age of majority (18 in Alberta) will require a guardian to sign on their behalf.

  • New for the Summer 2025 hiking season we are starting a rewards program for returning clients!

    The more distance you have hiked on our guided trips in the previous year, the more rewards you receive this year. If you are a returning client we'll crunch the numbers (distance values are calculated from the values given in the trip itineraries) and let you what discount you can receive. 

    See this link for details (https://www.starrysummit.ca/rewards).

Adventure Dates (Summer 2025, Minimum 2 Guests, Maximum 6 Guests):

Send Us A Message Below To Inquire About Custom Dates For This Trip.

Payment is processed in Canadian Dollars. We also accept Bitcoin (see tab above for details).

Price, Schedules, and Logistics

  • Be sure to read our Payment and Cancellation Policy below before confirming registration.

    All prices are listed in Canadian Dollars. Exchange from foreign currencies will be conducted by our PayPal (our Payment Processor).

    Starry Summit Mountain Adventures also accepts Bitcoin. If you are interested in paying for your adventure in Bitcoin please specify this on your booking request form below.

  • Each adventure has a minimum number of guests for it to run listed on the dates column in the left. Programs are assessed for enrollment 90 days before the departure date. If a given program is below the minimum threshold value enrolled guests will be given the option of paying an under-enrollment offset fee to continue with the adventure otherwise they will receive a full refund. See the link on the left for detailed policies.

  • This trip will start with an orientation in the Jasper Townsite the night before the first day of the program. Transportation will be provided to and from the Jasper Townsite. Guests are advised to make arrangements to store any extra luggage or baggage with their hotel/lodging while they are away on their adventure.

  • If you are interested in this adventure, please fill out the form below. Starry Summit Mountain Adventures staff will be in touch and go over trip equipment, costs, and logistics. Full payment is due upon confirmation of trip enrollment.

    Cancellation Policy and Refunds: Guests are allowed to cancel their booking and receive a full refund up to 90 days before the start of an adventure. If guests cancel their booking with less than 90 days prior to the start of the adventure refunds diminish in a progressive manner. See the link on the left for details or your trip confirmation details received upon booking.

    We strongly recommend guests purchase Travel Insurance to provide coverage in case of trip cancellation, or in the event of a medical emergency during the trip. While we do not endorse any specific insurance providers common companies operating in Canada include (Tugo, Blue Cross, etc.).

  • All guests will be required to sign a “Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumptions of Risks and Indemnity Agreement” commonly referred to as the “waiver” before starting an adventure. Waivers are available for download (ZZZ) and will be provided to you upon confirmation of booking. Paper waivers will also be signed on the first day of each SSMA adventure. If any guest is unwilling to sign the waiver they will not be able to participate in the adventure. Any guests not of the age of majority (18 in Alberta) will require a guardian to sign on their behalf.

  • New for the Summer 2025 hiking season we are starting a rewards program for returning clients!

    The more distance you have hiked on our guided trips in the previous year, the more rewards you receive this year. If you are a returning client we'll crunch the numbers (distance values are calculated from the values given in the trip itineraries) and let you what discount you can receive. 

    See this link for details (https://www.starrysummit.ca/rewards).

Adventure Dates (Summer 2025, Minimum 2 Guests, Maximum 6 Guests):

Send Us A Message Below To Inquire About Custom Dates For This Trip.

Payment in Canadian Dollars. We also accept Bitcoin (see tab above for details).

 

Book Today

Drop us a line commitment-free to see if this adventure is right for you. Please see our Payment and Cancellation Policy, Waiver, and Minimum Enrollment Policy above.

 

Book Today

Drop us a line commitment-free to see if this adventure is right for you. Please see our Payment and Cancellation Policy, Waiver, and Minimum Enrollment Policy above.