Mount Paget Ski

Lat/Lon: 51.4611°N, 116.3639°W - CLICK FOR TOPO MAP
Paget Peak holds down the southern end of the Mount Daly Range in Yoho National
Park, one of four connecting national parks making up the central Canadian Rockies.
It is on the north side of the TransCanada along side Mount Bosworth and is 2kms
north of Wapta Lake and just south of the Continental Divide in British Columbia.
Due to its proximity to the road, it is a fairly common scramble for the area in the
summer months, thus why I made it a ski ascent.

Paget Peak was named after the first ascender, a welcome method but an exception
in the Canadian Rockies. Dean Paget made the first recorded ascent and was a
founding member of the Alpine Club of Canada. On another historical note, the
southern slopes of Paget Peak served as the site of one of the first fire lookouts
in the parks. The current structure is still in good condition and is maintained, but
has not been used as a fire lookout since the 1970’s. Overlooking Sherbrooke and
Wapta lakes, this lookout is easily reached via a popular hiking trail. The trail ends at
the lookout and the scramble is straight forward from there.

The only published route on Paget Peak is the scramble. However, I did make my
own alpine ski ascent of the mountain. Backcountry skiing is inherently
dangerous. Paget Peak is no exception.

Getting There
The Trans-Canada Highway runs from Calgary through Banff and Yoho National
Parks on its way to Vancouver. Pass through Lake Louise heading westbound and
continue on the Trans-Canada entering British Columbia. Pull off right into the West
Louise Lodge across from Wapta Lake. There you will find the Sherbrooke Lake
Trailhead. 1.4kms on this trail takes you to the Paget Lookout Trail on your right. The
visitor center for Yoho National Park is located in Field several more kilometers west
on the TransCanada.

Red Tape
You will be required to purchase a national park pass as you enter Banff National
Park coming from the east on the Trans-Canada. This pass is good for all four
national parks. If you plan many visits to Canadian National Parks within one year,
you should purchase an annual pass. There are no permit requirements to climb in
Yoho National Park, but all camping is regulated. There is also a backcountry permit
required if you plan on spending a night in the backcountry versus the town
campsites. This can be obtained via the parks website which is included in the
camping section below. Yoho National Park headquarters are located in Field, BC
and you will drive through the manned national park kiosks as you enter Banff
National Park on the Trans-Canada.

This is active grizzly country, therefore, you should always have bear spray on your
person. I advise checking with Parks Canada for any area and/or trail closures.

When To Climb
As with most scrambles in the Canadian Rockies, the driest time is from June
through September. I skied Paget Peak in March. Skiing to the summit is feasible,
skiing down requires a certain amount of caution and experience.

Camping
The closest camp site would be the Kicking Horse and/or Monarch campground(s)
west on the TransCanada at the turnoff for Yoho Valley Road. You can go on line at
Yoho National Park to pick a camp site and obtain your camping permit. You will also
be required to obtain your backcountry permit which is separate, but can be obtained
simultaneously if you plan on camping at a backcountry site. You cannot camp
outside of the marked specific camping areas.

Field has one inn and several B&B’s. Of course you could stay where you parked at
the West Louise Lodge, a hotel type of accommodation, but nothing fancy.

Mountain Conditions
Yoho National Park has weather, wildlife reports, trail closures, etc. Outside of the
parks web site, Canadian Avalanche Association is also useful, particularly for winter
travel.   Canadian Alpine Accident Reports are also extremely helpful.

Route
This is a 3300’+/- ascent day. I parked at the West Louise Lodge across from Wapta
Lake. The other trail that heads into Sherbrooke Lake was closed. There are two
options to ski Paget Peak, the easier, longer one and the direct approach. I
chose the direct route. I skinned in on the Sherbrooke Lake Trail with alpine skis
and took a right hand turn at a posted sign for the Paget Fire Lookout, about 1.4kms
in. I found out on return that people do continue on in further and ski laid back
switchbacks to the lookout.

Doing the direct approach, I ended up throwing my skis on my back and
climbing through several rock bands and deep snow to get to the lookout. I hit a
clearing where I could see the lookout and just started climbing through a rock band
above me to the left. There was no trail to follow due to the snow therefore I ended
up climbing through a rock band that has nothing to do with the trail during the
summer. Once up to the lookout, which is a historic little structure that appears to be
left open in case of need, proceed straight up (due north) and over the obvious bump
(false summit) and on to the real summit. There is nothing remarkable about the rest
of this ascent. Stay climbers right.

There is a fantastic snow field on your left at the higher flanks of the mountain that
is probably severely windblown the majority of the winter. However, the day I skied it
was soft and good for some fresh turns. The danger on this route are the cliffs to
skiers right. Stay as far left as you can until eventually you will traverse back left to
the fire lookout. The ski out was much more pleasant then my ascent, heading
towards Sherbrooke Lake to hook back into Sherbrooke Lake Trail.

I made this a long day:   piddling with my equipment, snacking and bathing in the
sun. Skiing any slope like this has its many hazards, particularly solo. Be safe!

Essential Gear
Skis, skins, poles, gaiters, goggles, compass, map, etc.