Hike from Sunshine Village to Assiniboine to Mt. Shark

A few days before our hike, we brought a car to the Mt. Shark trailhead. This way we could leave via Sunshine Meadows, and return to Mt. Shark instead of going out and back.

Day 1: Our first part of the hike started late in the day as I worked until 415 pm. We caught the last bus up to sunshine, and started our hike around 6pm. The first campsite is Howard Douglas, and it is roughly 5km in. We just did this for the first day to at least get ourselves out onto the trail. It doesn't take long for the views to be amazing that's for sure. It was raining when we started, but the sky started to clear and the rain disappeared just in time for us to start our hike. There were signs of grizzly bears everywhere so we kept our bear spray close but didn't end up seeing anything. When we got to the campsite it was cold, so we were happy we brought lots of layers to wear.

Day 2: We woke up early this day as we were hiking the 26 km from Howard Douglas campsite to Magog Lake campsite. We set off in the morning tagging behind another group since signs of grizzly bears were still everywhere, and we were only two people. The trail steadily climbs up to citadel pass, and then descends steeply down for about 1km. You will see signs for porcupine campground, however, if you are not staying there do not take this trail and instead follow signs for Og Lake. It takes you across a steep, open, side hill. Next, head through a valley of rocks, and eventually you will come to Og Lake where the view of Mt. Assiniboine will welcome you. Cross through Og meadows and keep following signs for Magog Lake campground. You will come to a few different junctions, and again, keep following signs for the campground. Magog Lake campground is roughly 2km from Assiniboine Lodge. On our trip, roughly 5 km away from the campground it started to snow… in JULY! We froze the last 5km and set up our campsite as fast as possible since our hands were freezing. A kind soul told us that from 4-5pm the lodge serves tea and cake for campers and hikers! I highly recommend you take advantage of this. $8 for unlimited tea and three pieces of cake was the best $8 I had ever spent. We also got to warm up in the lodge in front of the fire. After this, we went back to camp and that was the end of our day.

Day 3: We spent this entire day at Assiniboine. We woke up early on a cold morning and made breakfast at the cook shelter. Then we hiked up The Nublet. To hike up The Nub, head back from the campground towards the lodge. After about 1km, there will be a junction. Follow signs for Nub Peak. The trail is very clear and straightforward. Eventually, you will come to the first viewpoint, named The Niblet. Next, is the second and most popular “summit”, The Nublet. Few people continue on past to Nub Peak which was our original plan, however, given the unexpected cold weather and wind that day we decided to turn back to the campground for lunch. Follow the same route back down. There are many trails throughout Assiniboine, but unfortunately the weather was not on our side. After lunch we went to the lodge and relaxed on the porch where they have a telescope. This is definitely worth doing as you can see up close on Assiniboine.

Day 4: This was our day that we headed back home, via the trail for Mt. Shark. We woke up early and left the campground, following signs for Wonder Pass. Again, the trail is very straightforward and Wonder Pass is the highest point on the trail back to Mt. Shark. Once you are at the top of Wonder Pass, head down into the valley following signs for Marvel Lake. THIS IS GRIZZLY COUNTRY. Make noise and keep your bear spray close. Eventually you will get amazing views of Marvel Lake, and then start to descend even more and follow signs for Marvel Pass. The pass traverses parallel to the lake. Once you are through the pass, follow signs for Mt. Shark trailhead. The route from here is fairly flat and eventually you will be on a road with cross-country ski trails all around. This road seems to take forever! Once you are on this road you have roughly 5km to go and then you are done!