Dogtooth Trek

Join Us On This Unique Adventure Through The Purcells

Dogtooth Trek

Join Us On This Unique Adventure Through The Purcells

A Hidden Gem In The Purcells Led By Knowledgeable ACMG Guides

Trek Through Forests And Vibrant Wildflower Meadows

Camp Alongside Creeks And In Incredible Alpine Basins

A Powerful Sense Of Accomplishment Through A Self-propelled Adventure

Is This Camp For You?

Entry Level

This camp is designed for novice multi-day hikers or strong day hikers. While not there is nothing too technical about this traverse, it definitely warrants some prior experience in the backcountry. With ten back-to-back days of hiking and navigating scree slope’s, you should be an experienced hiker and have a pretty good fitness level going into the camp. We definitely recommend that you do a few hikes during the leading up to this camp, unless you’re looking for a grueling start to your season. Please note that there should be four to five hours of hiking each day with approximately 8 to 10 km distance to travel. Some days there will be no elevation gain and our biggest day will be 750m. This traverse has been designed to provide lots of time to enjoy the landscape.
Registration Status:

Open

Details

Before registering, please review our Trip Waivers and Liability, and Cancellation Policies.

Camps are subject to minimum enrollment in order to run.

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Trip Description

The Dogtooth Range parallels the Columbia River to the east and is bordered by the Spillimacheen and Beaver rivers to the west. Although there are no built trails, the whole trip takes place above treeline on broad ridges and through endless alpine meadows. Ninety percent of this hike is along game trails, so the opportunities for wildlife sightings are likely.

Spending 5 days trekking across this stunning range is sure to be the experience of your summer. With a trail this popular, a full itinerary will be provided to participants on registration for the course so you can enjoy the hidden gems of the Purcells in peace. The group will travel about 30 km with 3000 m of elevation change (~6-8 km and 600-700 m elevation gain per day). While all meals are provided on this trip, you are responsible for carrying it with you.

Dogtooth Trek Lake

Guides

nathalie-drotar
Nathalie Drotar
Nathalie came to Western Canada from her native Switzerland for the first time as a nanny when she was...
nathalie-drotar
Nathalie Drotar
Nathalie came to Western Canada from her native Switzerland for...
Learn More

This camp is guided by Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) certified Hiking guides. Our maximum 8:1 guiding ratio will ensure that everyone gets the support they need to undertake this impressive trek.

The ACC hires guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). Visit the ACMG website to learn more about what they do!

*Guiding Staff for a trip sometimes have to be swapped out due to unavoidable circumstances. In this event ACC staff with contact you as soon as possible to update you on any changes to trip staffing

Objectives

Hike, hike and hike! The aim of this trip is to experience pristine wilderness in the way of ridges, alpine lakes, and a seemingly endless array of wildflowers.

Day-by-Day Adventure Itinerary

Pre Trip:
An online pre-trip meeting will be organized 10-20 days prior to the trip for all participants to talk about the itinerary and all trip details. The evening before the trip departure, the group will meet their guide(s) in Golden, BC, pending respective travel plans, for a trip briefing and to answer all last minute questions.
Day 1:

Meet your group at the tentative location of Bluebird Cafe in Golden, BC, to go over food distribution then convoy to the trailhead. Once at the trailhead, your guides will brief you on a few more things, such as bear spray use, Leave No Trace principles, and to help you adjust your pack before departure.

Once on the trail, the group will begin ascending towards the ridge, leaving civilization behind by going through forests and along creeks to reach an alpine basin for the night.

Days 2 – 4 (general itinerary):

All other days will follow the spine of the ridge, enjoying continuous views of the Bugaboos and Vowells to the West, and the Rockies to the East. At times, the group will drop through forests into open meadows, camping by creeks or small alpine lakes and going back up to the ridge for ease of walk and beautiful views.

Day 5:
The last day will be spent enjoying every minute of the same beautiful wilderness before slowly finding our way back to the trailhead and back down to the vehicles to complete the trek!
Example daily timeline:
  • 0700: Make breakfast, clean up camp (remember to leave no trace!), and pack your bags for another day of hiking.
  • 0830: Departure! Depending on the plan for the day, the group may do a day trip or keep traversing the range in search of the next campsite.
  • 1630: Return to camp or set-up camp in a new location
  • 1800: Dinner time!
  • 1930: Free time to journal, read, share stories or play a card game.

Food, Accommodation and Rentals

Food

All meals will be provided by PeakEats based in Canmore, AB. You will need to pack your own bowl, mug, utensils, and favourite adventure treats (if you want). While food is provided on this trip, you will be responsible for carrying it with you. Everyone is expected to help with cooking and clean up for the meals.

Since the group may camp in sparsely treed areas, we also have bear-proof food bags that can be borrowed as well. The ACC will provide all fuel and stoves for cooking to make sure the group doesn’t carrying in too much extra supplies.

Accommodation

The Dogtooth Range will be hosting your accommodation this trip. If you do not have access to a backpacking tent, we have 5 three-person tents that we can lend to participants. Please not that theses are regular length tents, so they may be a little short for taller folks and are not ideal for this type of trip as they are a basecamp tent. Contact the Mountain Adventures Coordinator if you would like to borrow one.

We will not be setting up tent partners for this trip. However, if you have concerns about the sleeping arrangements please let us know.

Rentals

If you don't have everything on the gear list and aren't ready to invest in your own, there are many awesome local businesses that rent out all of the equipment you will need. Be sure to reserve your rentals ahead of time to make sure everything you need is available for you when you need it.

Coming from the Bow Valley? Check out Gear Up in Canmore. ACC members get 10% off all gear rentals!
  • Coming from Calgary? We recommend renting your gear from MEC, the University of Calgary Outdoors Center, or the Norseman.
  • Coming from Revelstoke? Give Revelstoke Powder Rentals a try.

Included

  • 5 days of professional guiding at max 8:1 ratios by certified ACMG hiking guides
  • All meals from Dinner on Day 1 to Lunch on Day 5, Drinks are not provided
  • All Group Gear

Not Included

  • Transportation to and from the trailhead
  • Lunch for Day 1!
  • Personal gear (see gear list)
  • Personal drinks (Coffee/Tea/Juice ect)

Location

Adventure Hazards

Terrain

What are the Risks?

Cornices and crevasses. Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps. Cliffs, creeks,  rocks and boulders. Holes and depressions below the snow surface. Variable and difficult snow conditions. Snowcat roads and road ranks. Fences and other man-made structures. Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects. Encounters with domestic or wild animals. Loss of balance or control. Becoming lost or separated from the group. Slips, trips, and falls. 

Hazard Mitigation

Mitigated by Trained and experienced Guide.

The use of Radios. 

General Hazards

What are the Risks?

Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor. Equipment failure. Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Negligence of other persons, including other guests. Negligent first aid. Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities

Hazard Mitigation

Developed safety plans and procedures with decades of experience managing risk. 

Communication and Rescue

What are the Risks?

Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.

Hazard Mitigation

First Aid / Rescue Training.

Satellite Communications

We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips

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