Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Josh McCulloch | Getty
Jasper mountain stream
Running for 27 miles (44km) between Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon, the
Skyline is considered the crème de la crème of Canadian hiking. It’s aptly named:
over half the trail runs way above the treeline, a high-level, big-sky route offering
some of the grandest views in the Rockies. Unfortunately, its altitude means it’s
exposed to the weather, and its wildness means wildlife encounters are a constant
possibility. Reflexively, I check my belt for my canister of bear spray as I step off the
bus, bid farewell to the driver and take my first step on to the Skyline.
Most hikers cover the route in two or three days, staying at backcountry
campgrounds dotted along the trail. I’ve been hiking in the Rockies for a few
months, so I feel confident about tackling it in two – although looking up at the
craggy peaks ahead, I wonder if I might have overestimated my abilities.
The first stretch, at least, is a gentle one. From the trailhead, the path winds
through stands of tall pine and fir. After a few miles, the silvery pools of Lorraine
Lake and Mona Lake appear, and I stop to pitch a stone across the still water
before pressing on to Little Shovel Pass, where I’m treated to a postcard view over
Maligne Lake and the Queen Elizabeth Range. I break for lunch, watching a family
of hoary marmots play on the rocks, whistling and hooting softly to each other, their