Sunshine-Vista Lake

Camp with Egypt, shadows and twins on this four-day hike in Banff National Park.

Plan Around Sunshine-Vista Lake

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Sunshine-Vista Lake Details

If you're up for this hike, you'll find a series of high country trails link the Sunshine Village ski area (where the trailhead for this hike can be found) and the Vista Lake viewpoint on Highway 93S. Spend your first night at the E13 Egypt Lake campground and explore the area before continuing on the next day. Your second night should be spent at the Re14 Shadow Lake campground, and your third at Tw7 Twin Lakes campground. Getting from one campground to the next, you'll climb over Gibbon Pass and meander past several scenic lakes before ascending to the highway. For ease of your legs, have a car parked and waiting for you after you've completed this hike. The trailhead for this hike is found at the Sunshine Village ski area. More detailed trail descriptions and maps are available at Banff National Park and Parks Canada Visitor Centres. If you have a topographic map, take a look at 82 0/4, or 82 N/1, or the Banff and Mount Assiniboine Gem Trek recreation map. Remember when out on the trails that cell phone service is not reliable. Banff National Park's backcountry is mostly accessed by hikers, but bicyclists and horseback riders can venture away from the crowds, too. The main hiking season in this area tends to be May through October, but do keep in mind that because of its altitude, many trails at the higher elevations remain snow-bound through mid-June, and snow is always a possibility, even in mid-summer. That being said, it's important to realize that the weather within the park is unpredictable, and you should be prepared for rain, snow and high winds at any time of year, especially in the backcountry. A backcountry permit and campground reservations are required for anyone planning to overnight in the backcountry; fees do apply, and they're in addition to the park entry fees.

Difficulty

High

Distance

40 km

Estimated time

4 days

Region

N/A